Advice for Parents: A Safeguarding Checklist

If you're a parent or guardian considering modelling for your child or teenager, safeguarding should come before anything else. This checklist covers the essentials to look for.

Before you apply anywhere

• Talk to your child honestly about why they're interested, and make sure it's genuinely their choice
• Research the agency or service thoroughly, including how long they've operated and how they communicate
• Check for clear, written information about costs, process and what happens to images

Consent and presence

• Confirm that a parent or guardian is expected, and welcomed, at every shoot or assessment
• Make sure nothing, including contracts, photography or agreements, happens without your knowledge and presence
• Ask who else will be on set, and what their role is

Genuine services, including UK Models, expect and encourage this level of parental involvement. See our advice for parents section for more detail.

Licensing for paid work

Children of compulsory school age generally need a performance licence from their local council for paid modelling work in the UK. This exists to protect children, including limits on working hours and time away from school. Ask any agency or production directly how they handle licensing, and be cautious of anyone who avoids the question.

Chaperones

For many types of paid work, a licensed chaperone is legally required alongside a parent or guardian. A chaperone's role is to look after your child's welfare on set, separate from the production itself. Confirm in advance whether one will be present and who is arranging it.

Contracts and images

Before signing anything, check:

1. Exactly what the contract covers, and for how long
2. Who owns the rights to images, and how they may be used
3. Whether you can withdraw consent for future use of images
4. That there are no hidden costs beyond what's been clearly explained

Red flags to watch for

• Reluctance to have a parent present throughout, not just at drop-off
• Pressure to sign quickly, without time to read documents properly
• Vague or evasive answers about licensing or chaperoning
• Any request for images beyond what was clearly agreed

Keeping it balanced

Modelling should fit around school and normal childhood, not replace it. Realistic expectations matter too: no agency or support service can guarantee paid work, and feedback for children should always be age-appropriate and encouraging, never harsh.

Getting started safely

If you're considering an assessment for your child, our team is happy to answer safeguarding questions beforehand. Our child modelling and teen modelling pages cover more detail on what to expect.