Supporting Young Cast and Understanding what it’s like to be a child again.

Being around children you understand that everyday for them is so different and new it doesn’t matter if they are at home, school or on your set.

It’s ups and downs and an adventure to be around. There is lots of variables to this children are growing and learning everyday that’s exhausting in its self.

There can be lots of emotions just like adults ups and downs in friendships, stress of exams or school life, a busy social schedule or the worry of fitting or starting something new.

All this can be going while a child is with you on your production some days will go smoothly but if you a longer production 4 weeks plus you can notice changes in behaviour which is natural with so much going on in young people’s lives,bodies and minds

It’s important that you are aware of this and can support them if required and actually be aware of changes. This would normally fall onto the chaperone the person there to safeguard them and be their advocate on a set to notice these changes as they spend the most time with them they should be first to notice. It’s simple things like a handover over from a guardian the child maybe extremely quiet on arrival which is unusual for them, this is of course is nothing to raise concerns but I would keep an eye on them check in strike up a conversation and see how this goes and the day develops.

For a chaperone to support your young cast you need a chaperone that can engage with children/young adults and build relationships quickly. They need observational skills to notice changes in behaviours and understand when to act and when to give space.

They also need to be effective communicators not only with children but also to your production team.

Someone who can pass on information and raise concerns when required so everyone can work together to support a child if required.

But it’s also a skill and important to understand sometimes children are living their lives and will display emotions to us which fine even good that they feel they can do this around us. It’s a hard balancing act but the more time you spend around children put them at the centre of what you are doing the more you understand how to support them and when.