Welfare Services

WHY WELFARE IS IMPORTANT

Reality TV in the UK already has more stringent guidelines around welfare, as the major broadcasters and Ofcom advised. Documentaries and Blue Light shows are gaining popularity, yet there is still a grey area regarding welfare. Creating TV content inevitably involves navigating various tensions that arise during the process. These include balancing storytelling with respectful portrayal, managing quick turnarounds while upholding ethical considerations, maintaining high-intensity drama while prioritising the welfare of participants and crew, and avoiding re-traumatisation while still meeting production deadlines and financial constraints.

WHY OUR SERVICES

Re: Happy can provide a bridge between Production and Welfare. Offering expert knowledge of working across both departments that have conflicted objectives.

There is pressure for productions to be cost-efficient whilst working within Ofcom and major UK broadcaster guidelines for participant welfare. This can cause a conflict of interest for the Production team, who are responsible for both sides of the coin, to deliver on time, ‘at any means necessary’, and to be ethical in their decisions around cast and crew.

Participant risk factors can evolve during filming timelines. This could be due to the evolution of the content, the type of participants that apply, changes in viewer attitudes or personal circumstances. Participant welfare processes must be reviewed periodically and at key milestones, especially when there is a change in the editorial set-up or format.

EXAMPLE SERVICES

• Writing of Duty of Care protocols, including the initial participant risk assessment

• Overseeing casting and initial contact with participants

• Working with broadcaster-approved Clinical Psychologists, managing psychological reports & assessments

• Ensuring teams are trained in working with vulnerable participants, e.g. working with trauma, grief etc

• Setting up password-protected participant interaction logs

• Ensuring the production is ethical and in line with Broadcaster welfare regs

• Oversee participant welfare & provide editorial advice throughout production, including counselling where required

• Liaise with expert advisors and the production team to ensure adjustments and medical provisions are in place

Ethical filmmaking establishes a solid baseline to ensure the utmost respect and consideration for all involved parties. At its core lies a commitment to obtaining ethical consent from participants, recognising the inherent power imbalance. This consent should not only be sought during the initial stages but remains a continuous process throughout the filmmaking journey.

Furthermore, the ethical impact of the film on the participants, both in the present and future, needs to be carefully considered. Transparency regarding the aims and objectives of the film is upheld, fostering an environment of trust and open communication. Practical aspects must also be addressed, including providing sound financial advice and managing changes in circumstances or public profiles that may arise during the process. The psychological well-being of the participants and their families is given due attention, with support mechanisms in place to manage any potential impacts.

Crew welfare is a significant consideration, with working hours and potentially triggering content handled sensitively. Boundaries must be established and upheld, ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all involved.

By adhering to this baseline for ethical filmmaking, a responsible and considerate approach is maintained, upholding the dignity and well-being of participants and crew alike.

Re: Happy Limited can ensure your production works within an ethical framework.