Shadowing is a wonderful way for our Young Talent to get a snapshot of jobs they’re curious about. For one day, they’ll observe what their host does, ask questions, meet people, but must not do any work.
If you sign up to host a shadowing day, we expect you to
have confirmed the experience with one of our Young Talent
commit to hosting them for a maximum of 1 work day (7 hours)
follow our Safeguarding guidelines. This includes supervising our Young Talent and guaranteeing they’re not left unattended in meetings
if the shadowing day takes place in-person, please provide a valid public liability insurance certificate covering the date in question
ensure that our Young Talent simply observes what you do and does not perform any work activities
agree to our Organisation Code of Conduct
If you’d prefer to provide a hands-on experience that lasts longer than one day, look into providing Work Experience or a paid placement instead. For more information, please click here.
Who can provide a shadowing day for an Arts Emergency Young Talent?
Network members can set up a shadowing day for a Young Community member they've met via the Wish List
current mentors for their mentees
If you do not fit the above criteria, but want to offer shadowing, please contact us
Key points to consider when tailoring a shadowing day:
read our work experience safeguarding guidance and our safeguarding guidance
go through this checklist with the young person to gauge which aspects of your job they’re curious about
discuss any disability or access support the young person may need
- planning the location
our Young Talent should not visit your home
your shadowing day must be online if you’re working from home
consider travel constraints if hosting a young person in-person
consider video call platforms if it’s online
for freelancers, we recommend that you are in a public place where you can easily hear each other e.g., a library, museum or coffee shop
arrange the time and date in advance, and meet within appropriate hours i.e., we advise that you don’t speak before 8am, or after 8pm
check what meetings your young person can observe. (We recommend letting your colleagues know in advance!)
the young person you are hosting does not need to have a personalised company email address for the day as they are not doing any work
Additional requirements for in-person shadowing days
you must provide a tour of the facilities/building you work in. It should include essential information such as fire safety, where to locate First Aid, where the loos and kitchen are, and knowing where they can take a break
Additional requirements for online shadowing days
read over our safeguarding requirements for meeting online
If possible, avoid video calling from your bedroom. If a bedroom is the only private space, try and make your background as neutral as possible
before screen-sharing, ideally clear your desktop of any personal information
If you have any concerns or if an accident or misinterpretation takes place, please report this without delay via www.arts-emergency.org/safeguarding
If it’s not a safeguarding concern, who should I contact if issues arise on the day?
To speedily respond to any queries or concerns, if the Young Talent you are hosting is
your current mentee, contact mentoring@arts-emergency.org
A +18 Young Community member you connected with via the Wish List, contact community@arts-emergency.org
How do I make a shadowing day happen?
Complete the registration form below ideally 2 weeks before your placement begins.
Our team will be in touch to let you know if it has been approved. Please ensure that you are regularly checking your emails and your junk folder. Delays in communication will prevent the shadowing day from taking place.
What happens after the shadowing day?
Once approved and the shadowing placement is complete, we will send a feedback survey for your young person to complete.
It is essential that they complete the survey as providing feedback is part of our Young Talent Code of Conduct.
If you have any further questions about shadowing, please contact our Community Team
Register your Shadowing Day
Shadowing Day Registration Form