Child chaperones play a critical role in safeguarding young performers on UK film and television sets, where their presence is legally mandated for all children under 16. These professionals are responsible for the welfare of children, ensuring they are fed, rested, and protected from harm.
Chaperones undergo enhanced DBS checks and are licensed by local authorities, with some areas also requiring safeguarding training or social worker assessment. Their duty is to the child, not the production, giving them the authority to halt filming if a child becomes distressed.
Linda Matthews, who founded Premier Chaperones in 2010, recounted stopping a 2017 production when a young actress playing a cancer patient became upset, stating it reminded her of a friend's mother undergoing treatment. Stephen Rawnsley, head chaperone on the Netflix drama Adolescence, managed over 350 child actors and a team of more than 40 licensed chaperones.
Despite their critical role, chaperones often receive little recognition, with their names sometimes omitted from credits. Penalties for breaching modern safeguarding rules in the UK can include fines up to £1,000 per offence and custodial sentences of up to six months for serious violations.