Chaperones for work abroad

[JTBmum]

Hi, does anyone know if my 16 year old son needs a chaperone for working abroad? He does not need one in England and has permission from his headmaster. He was 16 in August and was held back a year when in Nursery.

Thanks!

[JTBmum]

Hi

Thanks very much for advice. I have contacted Bow St and arranged a hearing. Ds was taken on by long established adult agency just after Xmas and it the youngest, as they dont normally have children, so I dont think they really knew. Before they made the offer the production company asked agent to ask me if he needed chaperone so I asked Camden, who used to issue ds's licenses. They said as he is still in Yr 11 , he does.

New problem is ds is not very keen for me to be chaperone! I just think it made things simpler, and also more likely he actually got the offer. Wonder if he can request one? I think he must be the youngest on the project - a historical TV series mainly for US/European viewers.

Teenagers!

[mathsmum]

will he also need a tutor then?

i would be much happier to be chaperoning myself if my child was abroad - especially if he were the only child in the production - suppose he fell ill, for example - and as you say, the production company might be happier too

can you take the time out to do it?

[titania]

If it is the project I think it is they are an american company and america has chaperones until 18. He will also need a tutor by law. AT 16 and going abroad now, some companies like a night time chaperone so they are overseen after leaving the set. The production company can provide one you dont have to chaperone if he or you dont want it.

For overseas licences now you dont have to go to Bow Street any magistrates court can grant one.

Good luck hope he enjoys the filming.

[geordiegirl]

I've recently returned from USA where my son has been filming for American company. I can confirm that in USA, chaperones and tutors are required till 18. A parent or legal guardian MUST be present at all times when the child is working - nobody else will do, not even a licenced chaperone. Parents usually dont get paid in USA to chaperone as the welfare and paperwork stuff is undertaken by the tutor who also has to be on set with the child, even in school holidays which I found really bizarre.

DS has also worked in other countries and different rules apply but its worth remembering that Britain is just about the only civilised country that allows kids to leave school at 16. For most other places its 18 therefore a tutor would be part of the deal. Not sure what would happen if the kid has actually LEFT school but the welfare aspect still applies and in USA its the tutor (studio teacher) that takes the role.

[geordiegirl]

Another thought and purely based on personal observations. A handful of actors in hotels on location can get up to some pretty dodgy stuff and are maybe not the best role models for a young impressionable 16 year old alone abroad and looking for mates.

[JTBmum]

Thanks for that. NAPM is a very helpful site!

[Irishdancer]

I agree I would not be happy for a 16 year old to go abroad to film like Gerdiegirl said some actors do things and do not set a good example to a teenager if there is not any one to look after them and in some countrys children can have a drink at 16 so they can drink legaly and if dont drink at home then could go a bit mad. Got a letter home from school before summer holidays because ds year will be the first to have to stay on at school till 17, when this was annonced a few years ago I asked my LEA if that would mean that children would have to chaperioned till 17 she said she thought so, but was not sure as they had not really talked about it, just wondered if any one has heard if this will be the case. I no me for one will be happy about this as I still think a 16 year old having to go to film by themselfs early or late at night can be very worring, I no some things they get a car but things like EastEnders, The Bill (no the bill is no more) and a lot of other things children get transport, but as soon as they reach 16 or leave school have to do every thing themself. So will that mean they will only start using 17 -18 years olds for teen parts where now they use 16 year olds

[mathsmum]

Got a letter home from school before summer holidays because ds year will be the first to have to stay on at school till 17, when this was annonced a few years ago I asked my LEA if that would mean that children would have to chaperioned till 17 she said she thought so, but was not sure as they had not really talked about it,

oh "£$%^&*()

we celebrated with champagne when dd was 'legally 16' - the thought that i have to go thro all this an extra year with ds - bleurgh!!

thanks for pointing this out tho, irishdancer