Ballet is a physical activity involving contact with other dancers, especially when performing and learning pas de deux. To safely teach ballet, appropriate physical contact between teacher/participant and participant/participant will occur. This is in order to demonstrate correct placement, show the correct placement of the hands for lifting, and to help a student to feel a correct position of a limb to avoid injury if a move is incorrectly performed.
We recognise that touch, whilst essential, can sometimes be misinterpreted and the below guidelines are in place to safeguard staff and participants.
- All participant handbooks will include this statement, so that everyone is aware of our guidelines.
- Dancers are often tactile, due to the close proximity of their working relationships in the studio. However, all participants and staff should be aware that close physical contact whilst common in training and rehearsal environments, should not continue when outside of the studio, without consent.
- Teachers will initially use description and imagery to help participants feel a movement and use touch to help with correction only if the imagery isn’t helping.
- All physical contact will be consensual between tutors and participants, and/or peers.
- Touch will be accompanied by verbal instruction and will never be a surprise to the participant.
- Physical contact will always be treated with due sensitivity and care.
- When using touch to correct a participant’s placement, teachers will use a finger/s or palm of hand and may touch a pupil’s rib cage, thigh, back, buttock, arm, hand, foot.
- When using touch to help a participant who is at risk of falling/injury teachers will touch with their hands.
- When a teacher is using touch, they will do this with knowledge of that individual participant’s needs and with respect for individual boundaries.
- If a participant feels uncomfortable regarding appropriate touch, we encourage them to talk with their teacher.
- Participants are entitled to withdraw their consent for touch at any time, but this must be clearly communicated with staff and/or peers.
- Participants should always ensure they are dressed appropriately for the dance activity, and following uniform guidance. Please be sure to avoid exposed skin on the torso in particular.
- If a participant feels any touch is inappropriate, we encourage them to speak with a DSL.