Helpful Stories and Handbook for Parents with Professionally Performing Children
Over the summer of 2025, I worked closely with the National Network of Children in Employment and Education (NNCEE) to deliver the first ever national consultation on working conditions for professionally performing children and their parents, and chaperones. This work was supported by the AYPA, BBC Safeguarding and Spotlight.
The response was incredible with 619 people sending detailed feedback into their experiences in the industry and also telling us what they feel needs to change. You can read a summary of the research here.
With over 80% of all respondents (both parents and chaperones) telling us that they feel a need for more information and training, the following two resources have been born. Read on for more information
If you are interested in supporting these resources or being part of the ongoing conversation on how we support parents in the performing arts industries then please get in touch.
Professional performance environments can be overwhelming and unpredictable, especially for neurodivergent children and their families.
Helpful Stories for Kids who Love to Perform is a neuro-inclusive resource designed to bridge the gap between a child's need for preparation and certainty and the unpredictability of professional environments in the performing arts.
Developed and tested by industry experts, this resource gives children, their grown ups, and industry professionals a step-by-step roadmap for navigating every stage of the industry, from initial castings to working on set, in a theatre, or at a photoshoot.
This online resource will cover practical advice on the business side of the industry, including vetting agents, spotting scams, understanding contracts, and managing finances as well as demystifying all aspects of the work.
With the right information, easily discoverable and free to access, it will be much easier for parents to advocate for their child's safety, mental health, and physical wellbeing.
Developed and tested by industry experts, this resource will give parents a step-by-step roadmap for navigating every stage of the industry, from initial castings to working on set, in a theatre, or at a photoshoot and more.
These resources are written (or vetted) by experts.
Everything will also be reviewed by lawyers, finance experts, and top agents, chaperones, casting directors and more, making sure that everything is accurate and reliable before it ever reaches you.
Why expert vetting matters:
Accuracy: Professionals will make sure that this information is correct and up-to-date.
Safety: Every piece of advice is double-checked to make sure it’s practical and won't lead you down a wrong path.
Peace of mind: Knowing a specialist has signed off on the information means that you know you’re in safe hands.
These resources will ALWAYS be free.
Click on the image to download a short resource to help you write an Access Rider for a young performer. I hope it's helpful.