A new report published today by Bournemouth University outlines a practical intervention designed to improve how the television industry supports its freelance workforce at the end of production contracts.
Titled ‘Supportive Offboarding: Report on the design, development and testing of an intervention to improve the way the TV industry supports its freelancers’, the report presents findings from a pilot programme that trialled a structured, supportive exit process for freelancers working in TV production.
Led by Dr Richard Wallis of the Centre for Excellence in Media Practice (CEMP), the pilot was developed in collaboration with industry partner Fremantle, whose flagship shows include BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT and THE APPRENTICE. It was tested across a range of Fremantle productions in the UK and Australia, including the long-running soap, NEIGHBOURS.
‘The freelance workforce is the backbone of TV production, yet it’s rare for people to receive feedback or support as a contract ends,’ said Dr Wallis. ‘Supportive Offboarding provides a simple framework to make the end of a job more reflective, respectful, and connected to the next step in a freelancer’s career.’
Key Points from the Report
- The intervention centres on a short, structured offboarding conversation conducted by someone not directly managing the freelancer.
- Each conversation includes thanks, feedback exchange, reflection on performance, and a discussion about future goals.
- Freelancers responded very positively, many of whom said it was the first time they had been offered meaningful feedback and reflection at the end of a contract.
A Response to industry challenges
The report situates Supportive Offboarding within broader concerns about freelancers’ wellbeing, professional development and industry retention. It draws on organisational support theory and principles of ethics of care to address gaps in how freelancers are typically treated as contracts conclude.
The initiative has attracted interest from across the sector and follows on the heels of the UK Government’s 2025 Industrial Strategy which makes the film and TV sector a key national priority, with a £75 million Screen Growth Package and a commitment to the appointment of a new freelance champion to represent freelancers at a government level.
Looking Ahead
With the release of the full report, Bournemouth University is now working with the Film and TV Charity, the sector skills body ScreenSkills and other partners to see the intervention rolled out more widely across the industry.
‘This is a low-cost, high-impact intervention that can be integrated into everyday production practice,’ said Dr Wallis. ‘It’s about giving freelancers the same respect and recognition we expect at other stages of employment.’
Download the Full Report
Supportive Offboarding: Report on the design, development and testing of an intervention to improve the way the TV industry supports its freelancers
