Blue Card Screening for Santa's in Shopping Centres

Santa and Santa’s helpers.

People playing the role of Santa do not fall within a specific category of regulated employment or business under the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000. However, a blue card may be required when the work is carried out in a regulated environment such as a school, education and care centre, church, club or association.

A person engaged in a paid capacity to play the role of Santa by an organisation regulated by the blue card system will need a blue card if the frequency of their work meets the legislated minimum frequency unless an exemption applies. A volunteer who regularly undertakes this activity within a regulated organisation will need a blue card, unless an exemption applies.

Examples of people who need a blue card
◾A person playing the role of Santa who is employed by an education and care centre to appear at the different branches of the education and care centre in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
◾A person playing the role of Santa who is subcontracted by a recruiter to appear at an event held by a school, education and care centre, church, club or association.
◾A person playing the role of Santa who volunteers at a local Christmas Carols event which is organised by a church.

Examples of people who do not need a blue card
◾A person playing the role of Santa who is employed by a shopping centre or department store.
◾A person playing the role of Santa who appears at a neighbourhood party.