Introduction

The Active IQ Certificate in Fitness Instruction (Children) is at level 2 on the Qualifications and Credit

Framework. It also provides access onto The Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) at level 2.

Guided learning hours: 157 Notional learning hours: 230 Credit: 23

Minimum credit to be achieved at the level of the qualification: 23

Requirements other than the award of credit which needs to be met

before the qualification is awarded:

None

Exemptions: None

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

•• There are no specific pre-requisite qualifications, but there is an element of communication

(discussing, presenting, reading and writing) involved and learners should have basic skills in

communication pitched at level 2.

•• It is recommended that learners undergo a CRB check prior to commencement of the training

Note:

•• Learners can be employed before the CRB check is complete provided the organisation is satisfied,

on the basis of other checks, that it is safe to do so; however, organisations cannot let anyone

have unsupervised access to children until they have a satisfactory CRB check

TARGET LEARNERS:

•• Adults (aged 16+) wishing to pursue a career either in the health and fitness sector, community

setting or in schools as teachers of children’s physical activity.

•• 16 to 18 year-olds may need to be supervised in the workplace, once they have achieved the

qualification.

AIM:

•• To train learners to a professionally competent level, enabling them to plan and deliver safe and

effective group and individual physical exercise sessions for children aged 5 to 11 and 11 - 15

(the types of activity and delivery methods for these age groups are distinctly different).

OBJECTIVES:

•• To develop learners’ knowledge of anatomy and physiology and how it relates to exercise and

fitness and children’s development.

•• To develop learners’ ability to plan and deliver safe and effective physical activity sessions for

children.

•• To develop learners’ knowledge of health and safety, child protection and building relationships in

a fitness environment.

PROGRESSION:

•• This qualification provides progression to Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Instructing Exercise and

Fitness, for learners who wish to develop and demonstrate occupational competence in instructing

physical activity and exercise to children

•• Learners may also progress on to the Active IQ Level 3 Certificate in Sports Massage, where

they will be provided with the knowledge and skills to practice sports massage alongside fitness

instructing in the health club environment

•• Learners may also broaden their knowledge and skills by progressing to Level 2 qualifications in

instructing Circuits, Exercise to Music, Step and Aqua

LINKS TO NATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS

There are direct links to the NOS in Instructing Exercise and Fitness:

A355 Reflect on and develop own practice in providing exercise and physical activity

C22 Promote health, safety and welfare in active leisure and recreation

C316 Work with clients to help them to adhere to exercise and physical activity

D457 Plan health related exercise and physical activity for children

D458 Instruct health related exercise and physical activity to children

LINKS TO KEY SKILLS

Studying towards the Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing (Children) provides learners with the

opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for the production of some or all of the

evidence required to meet the standards for the following Key Skills units:

Active IQ Level 2 Certificate In Fitness Instruction (Children)

Key Skill Element Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6

(European Qualifications Framework EQF Level 3)

Occupational Descriptor

Occupational Title

Physical Activity Instructor for Children

Occupational Description

A physical activity instructor for children is responsible for the planning, instructing and evaluation of

group activities for children aged between 5 and 16 years old via a range of activities, including (but

not limited to) creative play, games providing basic skills for various sports, general exercise to promote

a healthy lifestyle. A physical instructor for children is responsible for encouraging children of all ages

to adhere to activities that promote exercise and a healthy lifestyle, employing motivational strategies to

achieve this.

Occupational Roles

The physical instructor for children is responsible for:

1. Planning, instructing and evaluating safe and effective activity sessions for children of all ages

2. Planning and delivering a variety of activity sessions appropriate for the age range of the group,

including (but not limited to) creative play, sports based sessions, general exercise and healthy

lifestyle sessions

3. Selecting relevant activities and exercises and designing appropriate exercises/games to maximise

safety and effectiveness, taking into consideration the age range of the group

4. Ensuring each session is progressive so that the children experience a sense of achievement in

accordance with their age and ability

5. Providing adaptations and alternatives throughout sessions to allow for individual differences

6. Motivating children in a fun environment to ensure that they return to future sessions and adhere to

a healthy lifestyle

7. Acting as a positive role model for all children to look up to

8. Demonstrating a positive and fun attitude to ensure that the group feel welcome and at ease at all times

9. Be aware of and sensitive to the different needs of children at different ages and adapt activities

accordingly

10. Liaise with the parents of the children participating and keeping them informed of the activities

planned and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle

11. Proactively developing and maintaining the highest standards of customer care to ensure the

retention

12. Acting as cover for another instructor working with children if required, according to the needs of the

programme

13. Promoting activities for daily living to the group and their parents.

14. Monitoring and assisting in the upkeep of the environment and any equipment used

15. Ensuring a duty of care to the group and their parents

16. Ensuring that all personal CRB checks are undertaken prior to instructing children and are kept up

to date

17. Ensuring that all health and safety guidelines appropriate to children of all ages are adhered to

18. Reflecting on own performance to enhance personal development

19. Keeping up-to-date with health and fitness industry developments especially in relation to children

to ensure high standards and appropriate activities are selected that meet the groups needs in the

short, medium and long term

20. Working within the parameters given at Level 2, recognising the standards and professional

limitations that this provides

21. Making the appropriate decisions relating to class members and their goals and, where required,

refer to appropriate members of staff for guidance and support

Occupational Competence

L2 Physical Activity Instructors for Children should:

1. Be aware of their professional role boundaries as listed.

2. Plan, instruct and evaluate group physical activities for:

•• apparently healthy children aged between 5 and 16 years old

•• children with disabilities, ensuring reasonable adaptations to sessions and programmes are in

place

3. Get advice from another appropriate professional if there are any objectives, physical activities or

risks that fall outside their professional boundaries or that they do not feel competent to deal with

and/or refer on to the appropriate person.

L2 Physical Activity Instructors for Children (who do not posses the appropriate special population

qualification/s in older adults, ante/post-natal women and disabled people) should NOT:

1.

•• Be a specialist instructor in the area of special populations, or advertise as such

•• Instruct special population clients 1:1 or in groups on a regular or progressive basis

•• Plan a progressive, long-term special populations exercise or physical activity programme

•• Play any role in exercise or physical activity programming or monitoring in condition management

on a 1:1 or group basis. (For this, a Level 3 Exercise Referral qualification is required and for

certain conditions, where national occupational standards are in place, a Level 4 qualification).

2. Prescribe any form of exercise session or individual exercise that they have not been trained to

deliver/teach effectively.

3. Instruct exercise in disciplines in which they are not qualified or where they do not hold appropriate

endorsed training (e.g. a Level 2 fitness instructor should not ‘cover’ an ETM class or a spinning

class if they do not hold the appropriate certificates).

4. Provide prescriptive nutritional advice or develop bespoke individualised nutrition plans for.

QUALIFICATION STRUCTURE AND UNIT CONTENT

This qualification comprises of 6 mandatory units

Unit 1 - Anatomy and physiology for exercise

Unit 2 - Know how to support clients who take part in exercise and physical activity

Unit 3 - Health, safety and welfare in a fitness environment

Unit 4 - Principles of exercise, fitness and health

Unit 5 - Planning health related exercise and physical activity for children

Unit 6 - Instructing health related exercise and physical activity to children

Successful achievement of all six units must be achieved for the full qualification.