Our Approach

Why This Work

Children can do extraordinary, meaningful creative work.

But film, television and theatre are adult workplaces — shaped by adult schedules, expectations, hierarchies and power structures. Minors experience those environments differently.

Existing labour protections, guardians, unions and production policies are essential. But compliance alone cannot account for everything we know about child development, trauma, power, psychological safety and the particular vulnerabilities of young performers.

Good Ship is being developed to help close that gap.

Our evidence-informed, trauma-informed approach places responsibility for children's safety where it belongs: with the adults, organizations and systems around them.

We consider the entire ecosystem surrounding a minor performer — and help productions create the conditions in which children can do ambitious creative work safely, meaningfully and developmentally.

Build safety into the production — not around a problem after it happens.

What We're Building

Production Practice

Working directly with film, television and theatre productions to identify foreseeable risks, design appropriate safeguards and support young performers and the adults working with them — from early preparation through rehearsal, production and wrap.

Standards & Frameworks

Developing an evidence-informed practice framework for Child Safety & Wellbeing in professional performance, including the role, responsibilities, authority, ethical boundaries and standards of practice for professionals working in this emerging field.

Training

Developing rigorous training and competency standards for future Child Safety & Wellbeing Advocates and for the producers, directors, stage managers, assistant directors, actors and other adults who work with children in professional performance.

Industry Advocacy

Working toward an industry in which meaningful child safeguarding does not depend on which production a child happens to join or which adults happen to be in the room. Our longer-term aim is to contribute to recognized standards and protocols for Child Safety & Wellbeing across professional entertainment.

Research & Knowledge Mobilization

Learning systematically from practice, research and lived experience — evaluating what works, identifying gaps and translating evidence into practical tools, resources and industry change.