The Mission Statement of the code is:

 

“To ensure that all pole and aerial dance and fitness professionals are exceptionally knowledgeable, informed and up-to-date on health and safety standards for all concerned, at all times.”

 

To achieve this, instructors are expected to:

• have gained a recognised and approved certification or qualification

• demonstrate leadership and competence in their working environment

• be committed to their own (ongoing) professional development in fitness

• hold current CPR and first aid certificates 

• have public liability insurance 

• adhere to an industry accepted Code of Practice approved by a governing awarding body

 

Physical activity such as dance and exercise can contribute positively to the physical, mental, personal, social and emotional development of individuals. Such development is enhanced if the individual is guided by an informed, caring and enlightened professional operating within an accepted ethical framework. Additionally it is important to establish and maintain standards in pole and aerial dance and fitness in order to protect members of the public who chose to take part in the activity.

 

The roles of the pole and aerial dance and fitness professionals are to:

• identify and meet the needs of individuals

• empower individuals during every session

• improve confidence, by creating a safe and comfortable environment to encourage and develop individual performance and fitness levels through programs of safe, effective exercise

• create an environment in which individuals are supported and motivated to maintain participation and improve performance or fitness

• conform to ethical standards in a number of areas – humanity, relationships, co-operation, integrity, advertising, confidentiality and personal and professional standards

• The Code of Conduct is based upon the Code of Fitness Professionals and specifically adapted to the pole and aerial dance and fitness industry, to define good practice for professionals by reflecting on the core values of rights, relationships and responsibilities. Pole and aerial dance and fitness professionals who assent to the code must abide by the four principles listed below. The term “professional” is used in a qualitative context in this code and does not necessarily imply a paid position or person. 

1.   Professional Standards 
To retain a high level of competence through qualifications and continual development and learning and a commitment to ongoing training to ensure that safe and correct practice with both health and safety in mind to all the students, participants and instructors alike.

Promote the rights of every individual to participate in pole and aerial dance and fitness, where possible and recognise that people should be treated as individuals.

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every human being and their ultimate right to self-determination. Specifically, pole and aerial dance and fitness professionals must treat everyone equitably and sensitively within the context of their activity and ability – regardless of gender, age, disability, occupation, ethnic origin, race, cultural background, marital status, sexual orientation, religion or political opinion.

• Not condone or allow to go unchallenged any form of discrimination, nor publicly criticize or engage in demeaning descriptions of others.

• Be discreet in any conversations and not impart any personal information without consent.

• Recognise the right of all individuals to confer with other professionals.
   

2.   Relationships 
To develop a relationship with their customers, based on integrity, openness, honesty, mutual trust and respect. 

• Develop a relationship with their customers based on openness, honesty, mutual trust and respect. Inform participant(s) of their qualifications, experience, and registration details and provide the opportunity for the participant to consent or decline for training/instruction by that person and respect their opinions when making pole and aerial dance and fitness decisions.

• Not engage in behavior that constitutes any form of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, neglect, bullying, etc).

• Not engage in behavior of a degrading manner (touching the breast, groin or bottom area during their teachings).

• Always promote the welfare and best interests or their participants, and encourage and guide their customers to accept responsibility for their own behavior and actions in training and in their relationship with others.

• Ensure that physical contact is appropriate and necessary and is carried out within recommended guidelines and with the participant’s full consent and approval.  Always ask before you touch a participant during instruction.

• Avoid sexual intimacy with clients whilst instructing, or immediately after a training session, and should arrange to transfer the client to another professional if it is clear an intimate relationship is developing.

• Take action if they have a concern about the behavior of an adult towards a child, or an adult towards another adult.  Never engage in any form of sexually related contact with minors, including the use of innuendo, flirting or inappropriate gestures and terms.

• As a social obligation be extremely sensitive and cautious in the case of underage participants and always maintain that a consenting adult is present at all times during the instruction of a minor.  Explain fully that it is not due to the content taught, rather as a social obligation.

• Be aware of the physical needs of people, especially those still growing, and ensure that frequency, intensity, duration and type of training are appropriate.

• Discuss with parents, carers and other interested parties the potential impact of pole and aerial dance and fitness training programs offered to children, young adults or those with disabilities and/or impairments. 

• Clarify in advance with participants the number of sessions, fees (if any), method of payment and any other potential costs involved in participation.

• Communicate and co-operate with registered medical, clinical and ancillary practitioners in the diagnosis, treatment and management of participant’s medical, physical and mental problems.

• Not to work with any professional’s customer without first discussing or agreeing both with the professional and customer involved.

3.   Personal Responsibilities 
Demonstrate a high degree of professional and personal behavior and conduct at all times, and be fair, honest and considerate to all students, colleagues, other venue users to promote participant’s well-being and health, in and out of the lesson structure.  

• Demonstrate proper personal behavior and conduct at all times.

• Be fair, honest and considerate to all participants and others working in the pole and aerial dance and fitness industry, and to display control, respect, dignity and professionalism.

• Project an image of health, cleanliness and functional efficiency, and display high standards in use of language, manner, punctuality, preparation and presentation.

• Not smoke, drink alcohol or use recreational drugs before or whilst instructing, or to take actions which could compromise the safety of participants.

• Not adopt practices to accelerate performance or fitness improvements which might jeopardize the safety, total well being and future participation of their customer(s).

• Pole and aerial dance and fitness professionals must never advocate or condone the use of prohibited drugs or other banned performance enhancing substances.

• Ensure that the activities and training programs they advocate and direct are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the participant(s).

• Advertise their services taking respect of their qualifications, training, knowledge and ability and must be accurate and professionally restrained. They must be able to present evidence of qualifications and registration upon request and be able to support any claim associated with the promotion of their services.

• Have valid public liability insurance to cover adequately and appropriately cover their legal liability in the event of any claim being made.

• Within the limits of their control, have a responsibility to ensure as far as possible the safety of the participants and the equipment used with whom they work.
   

4.   Rights 
To promote and respect the rights, dignity and worth of every student and instructor. 

• Work towards attaining a high level of competence through qualifications and make a commitment to ongoing training that ensures safe and correct pole practice which will maximize benefits and minimize risks to all participants.

• Promote the execution of safe and effective pole and aerial dance and fitness practice, and plan all sessions so that they meet the needs of participants, and are progressive and appropriate.

• Welcome and share knowledge from other professionals.

• Need to accept responsibility for their actions and recognise when it is appropriate to refer to another healthcare professional or specialist.

• Seek to achieve the highest level of qualification(s) available and maintain up-to-date knowledge of technical developments in the pole and aerial dance and fitness industry.

• Engage in self-analysis and reflection to identify professional needs, and to develop a concept of lifelong learning and personal development on and off the pole.

• Not assume responsibility for any role for which they are not qualified.

• Confine themselves to practice those activities for which their training and competence is recognised by an awarding body.

• Training includes the accumulation of knowledge and skills through formal education, independent research and the accumulation of relevant, verifiable pole and aerial dance and fitness experience. Competence should normally be verified through evidence of qualifications and practice not inferred solely from evidence of prior experience.

• Welcome evaluation of their work by colleagues and be able to account to participants, employers, trade associations and professional bodies for what they do, and why.

• Have a responsibility to themselves and their participants to maintain their own effectiveness, resilience and abilities and need to manage their lifestyle to avoid overtraining.

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author. For permission requests, email 'theteam @passion-fitness.com' marked “Attention: Permissions Coordinator”. Permission is granted in the case of (a) brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law, or (b) where the author Kay Penney and source are clearly identified.