Young Performer Support Specialist Training by Safe Sets
Young Performer Support Specialist Training Launching in 2026!
Safe Sets, a global leader in Intimacy Coordination and On-Set Safety Training, is proud to announce the launch of the first-ever Young Performer Support Specialist (YPS) Training Course, coming in early 2026.
Please click this link to apply now!
What is a Young Performer Support Specialist? (YPS)
A Young Performer Support Specialist (YPS) is a trained on-set professional dedicated to safeguarding and supporting young performers during the creation of scenes involving sensitive or potentially distressing content.
Through imaginative play, creative coaching, and trauma-informed practice, the YPS helps ensure that each young actor feels safe, respected, and empowered — while also helping the director achieve authentic and emotionally truthful performances.
Working closely with the director and production team, the YPSS supports the rehearsal and filming process through pre-production preparation, on-set guidance, step-in and step-out practices, and post-production check-ins.
What is a Young Performer Support Specialist?
A Young Performer Support Specialist (YPS) is an on-set professional dedicated to safeguarding and supporting young performers during the creation of scenes involving sensitive or potentially distressing content.
Through imaginative play, creative coaching, and trauma-informed practice, the YPS helps ensure that each Young actor feels safe, respected, and empowered — while also helping the director achieve authentic and emotionally truthful Performers.
Working closely with the director and production team, the YPS supports the rehearsal and filming process through pre-production preparation, on-set guidance, step-in and step-out practices, and post-production check-ins.
Safe Sets' Golden Standard: Empowering Safe, Authentic Storytelling
The child's well-being should not be sacrificed in service of the storyline and trauma should never be collateral damage for art, rather the YPS is equipped to facilitate a safe, consensual, playful and uplifting creative experience that simultaneously aims to achieve the directorial vision for the scene.
About the Training
Safe Sets, a leading international training provider for Intimacy Coordinators, has been pioneering this new professional role in South Africa since 2023.
The Young Performer Support Specialist training equips film, television, and entertainment professionals with the skills and knowledge to support minors on scenes involving emotionally charged, complex, or high-risk material — ensuring a creative environment that is both safe and artistically free.
Content the YPS might support
Broadly speaking any action, theme, or moment that could cause emotional, psychological, or spiritual distress.
Examples may include scenes depicting:
Bullying
Domestic violence
Adult aggression towards minots
Death, grief or loss
Dead or injured animals
Scary or threatening environments
Fire, water, or other elements
Substance use or addiction
Self-harm
Sexual violence or innuendo
Any material that could evoke fear, shame, or confusion in a Young performer
Our Approach
We believe that a child's or Young performer's well-being should never be sacrificed in service of the storyline — and that trauma should never be collateral damage for art.
The YPS is trained to facilitate a safe, consent-based, and imaginative creative experience that both protects the performer and upholds the director's vision.
Learn, Certify, and Lead in On-Set Safety and Consent Culture
Testimonials for Tamryn Speirs' YPS Work
"From the very first introduction, I could feel that Tamryn has a wonderful rapport with people of all ages, especially children. We connected instantly with Tamryn and I immediately felt safe leaving my daughter in her hands. Tamryn's teaching has simple concepts with lasting results. Not only did she bring out the best in Lamiyah's character, but she could also easily get her out of character - enabling Lamiyah to adapt to her normal routine and just be herself again. Tamryn has walked this journey with Lamiyah from start to finish, giving Lamiyah the tools to achieve a sublime performance. We can't express our appreciation to Tamryn enough."
NICKY van SCHALKWYK
Mother to actor Lamiyah Barnard: Snake
"Ms Speirs was nothing short of miraculous as an acting coach. She guided our child actor through a very intense process - not only teaching her crucial acting skills, but making her feel emotionally safe at all times. Ms Speirs works with huge skill and empathy, and, having worked for over two decades as a children's drama teacher, has a toolkit of special techniques for drawing out believable and even inspiring performances from a child."
DIRECTOR - Meg Rickards
Snake
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