Overview of the role
A chaperone is a very responsible role on any production involving children. Chaperones work “in loco parentis”, taking responsibility for a child to safeguard, support and promote their well being while they are taking part in a production. They must ensure the production complies with Child Performance Regulations and the terms of any child licences. There can be different types of chaperone roles on productions, for example a day chaperone will safeguard children on set or location or while travelling, a live in chaperone might provide care during overnights.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, a chaperone must have a full chaperone licence issued by their Local Authority and hold a current Enhanced DBS Check or a current Access NI check.
In Scotland, chaperones must be registered online for Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PGV) membership which is obtained from Disclosure Scotland. Once obtained membership lasts five years but is checked every time a new role is started with a production company.
A Local Authority will specify the training required for a chaperone licence. In addition broadcasters like the BBC will want proof of additional training like the NSPCC online course 'Protecting Children in the Entertainment Industry’.
Core responsibilities
These core responsibilities are provided as a guide and are not exhaustive. The exact responsibilities in a particular job will vary depending on the size of the production company and team and the scale and budget of the production.
- The first priority is always representing the child’s best interests on and around set or location. Even if parents or guardians are present, licensing conditions stipulate it is the chaperone’s responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of every child in their care.
- Ensure the right facilities are available for children, from suitable changing rooms and child-only toilets to green rooms and tutoring areas. Introduce children to cast and crew on arrival and make sure they are familiar with layouts and exits and know who they can talk to with any concerns.
- Supervise children off-camera including leisure time and possibly overnights. Ensure the child has adequate meals, rest and recreation breaks, ensuring the child is not left unsupervised with other adults.
- Ensure that a child is properly prepared for filming (including learning lines) and has appropriate and stimulating activities planned for during their downtime.
- Take any appropriate opportunities to highlight to the Safeguarding Lead on a production if a child’s needs are not being fully met, working with them to ensure all the right measures around safeguarding are in place including effective reporting lines for any concerns.
- Ensure the production company follows the terms of the Local Authority licence and the rules set down by legislation on working hours for children. If chaperones have concerns that cannot be resolved, ultimately they have the power to remove the child from a production and inform the Local Authority.
- Record the hours that every child completes whilst part of the production on camera or in rehearsal, keeping 'daily records’ to ensure this falls within the periods permitted by law, with these records always available for inspection.
- Communicate with the production team, parents/guardians, and local authorities as needed regarding the child's well-being and any issues that arise. Any accidents or cases of illness must be reported to both the parents of the child or young person concerned and also to the licensing LEA.
Skills
Check out the role specific skills, transferable skills and attributes for the chaperone in children's TV.
- Knowledge of regulations: familiarity with child performance laws and all of the relevant legislation e.g., the Children (Performances and Activities) Regulations.
- Safeguarding: familiarity with principles and best practise in safeguarding and child protection including how to recognise potential abuses and knowing how to respond to, record and report disclosures.
- First Aid: basic understanding of emergency first aid treatment
- Communication: able to work as part of a team and liaise effectively with productions over scheduling and conditions, flagging concerns to senior team members and calmly resolving any potential areas of disputes.
- Empathy: listening skills and understanding - be able to interpret a child’s behaviour and act as an intermediary between the child and the production company.
- Organisational skills: keeping detailed and accurate daily records, manage schedules and tasks to ensure compliance and well being.
- Integrity: parents place huge trust in chaperones who need to work honestly and openly and always put the interests of the child first.
- Relatability: able to create a solid bond with children in your care and encourage open and enjoyable interactions.
- Good observational abilities: interpreting a child's behaviour and language and spotting potential risks.
- Confidence including in being the voice of children on a set.
- Resilience and problem solving: chaperones must have the ability to remain calm in an emergency and in stressful situations