Deliver exercise sessions to improve individuals’ health and wellbeing
This element focuses on the practical and theoretical knowledge required to safely and effectively deliver exercise sessions tailored to individual health and wellbeing needs. Learners must integrate understanding of relevant legislation, physiological responses to exercise, programme design principles, and equipment use to plan and lead person-centred sessions. Competence is demonstrated through applied practice, where the ability to adapt exercises based on observation and feedback is critical for positive outcomes.
Assessment criteria
Topic Overview
The Highfield Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (RQF) is a comprehensive qualification designed for those working in healthcare support roles, such as healthcare assistants, support workers, or care assistants. It covers a wide range of topics including communication, health and safety, person-centred care, and supporting individuals with their physical and emotional needs. This diploma is essential for developing the knowledge and skills required to provide high-quality care in various healthcare settings, such as hospitals, care homes, and community services.
This qualification is structured around mandatory units that address core competencies, such as promoting equality and inclusion, understanding mental health, and supporting individuals with their daily living activities. It also includes optional units that allow learners to specialise in areas like dementia care, end-of-life care, or supporting individuals with learning disabilities. By completing this diploma, students demonstrate their ability to work effectively as part of a healthcare team, uphold professional standards, and contribute to positive outcomes for service users.
Mastery of this diploma is crucial for career progression in health and social care. It not only prepares students for roles such as senior healthcare assistant or support worker but also provides a foundation for further study, such as nursing or social work degrees. The qualification emphasises practical application, ensuring that learners can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, thereby improving the quality of care delivered to individuals and communities.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →Person-centred care: Tailoring support to the individual's needs, preferences, and values, ensuring they are actively involved in decisions about their care.
- →Safeguarding: Protecting vulnerable individuals from abuse, neglect, and harm, and knowing how to report concerns appropriately.
- →Effective communication: Using verbal and non-verbal techniques to build trust, listen actively, and convey information clearly with service users, families, and colleagues.
- →Health and safety: Understanding risk assessments, infection control, moving and handling, and emergency procedures to maintain a safe environment.
- →Equality and diversity: Promoting inclusive practice by respecting differences in culture, beliefs, age, gender, and disability, and challenging discrimination.
Learning Objectives
What you need to know and understand
- 1 Understand current legislation, national guidelines, policies, protocols and good practice related to delivering exercise sessions 2 Understand the role of exercise and its physical effects on the body 3 Understand the principles and rationales for exercise programmes 4 Understand the use of exercise equipment 5 Be able to deliver exercise sessions
Assessment Criteria
Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio
- Award credit for accurately referencing at least two pieces of relevant legislation or national guidelines (e.g., Health and Safety at Work Act, care plans) when discussing session delivery.
- Award credit for explaining the acute and long-term physiological effects of exercise on the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems in relation to the individual's condition.
- Award credit for producing an exercise programme rationale that links clearly to the individual's assessed needs, goals, and any contraindications.
- Award credit for demonstrating safe selection and use of exercise equipment, including pre-use checks and adjustment for the individual.
- Award credit for delivering a session that shows appropriate warm-up, main activity, and cool-down phases, with modifications made in response to participant feedback or observed limitations.
Assessment Guidance
Guidance for achieving higher grades
- 💡In assessed observations, always verbalise your thought process when checking equipment or adjusting exercises to show underpinning knowledge.
- 💡When producing written evidence, ensure you explicitly link the chosen exercises to the individual's care plan and the principles of exercise prescription.
- 💡Demonstrate effective communication throughout the session, including giving clear instructions, asking for feedback, and providing encouragement.
- 💡Use specific examples from your workplace experience to illustrate how you apply principles like person-centred care or safeguarding. This shows practical understanding and meets assessment criteria.
- 💡When answering questions about legislation, always link the law to a practical scenario. For example, explain how the Mental Capacity Act 2005 applies when obtaining consent from a service user.
- 💡Pay attention to command words in assessment tasks: 'describe' requires detailed explanation, 'explain' needs reasons or causes, and 'evaluate' demands weighing pros and cons.
Common Mistakes
Common errors to avoid in your coursework
- Confusing general fitness advice with a personalised exercise programme that considers specific health conditions or rehabilitation goals.
- Failing to perform equipment safety checks before use, leading to potential hazard oversight.
- Neglecting to explain or demonstrate exercises clearly, assuming the individual knows correct technique.
- Not adapting the session intensity or exercises when the individual shows signs of discomfort or fatigue.
- Misconception: Person-centred care means doing everything the service user wants. Correction: It involves balancing their preferences with professional advice and safety considerations, ensuring informed choices.
- Misconception: Confidentiality is absolute and can never be broken. Correction: Confidentiality must be maintained unless there is a risk of harm to the individual or others, or if required by law (e.g., safeguarding concerns).
- Misconception: Health and safety is solely the employer's responsibility. Correction: All healthcare workers have a duty to follow policies, report hazards, and take reasonable care of themselves and others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Pass / Merit / Distinction Evidence Checklist
How your portfolio evidence is graded for HIGHFIELD QUALIFICATIONS Deliver exercise sessions to improve individuals’ health and wellbeing
Every vocational unit is marked against named criteria rather than an exam percentage. Your tutor's brief lists the exact codes for this unit — here is what each band is asking you to do.
Demonstrate baseline knowledge, accurate terminology, and core practical application.
Provide detailed analysis, structured explanations, and clear workplace reasoning.
Deliver thorough evaluation, original problem solving, and fully justified recommendations.
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •A basic understanding of health and social care values, such as dignity and respect, which are often covered in introductory courses like the Level 2 Diploma in Care.
- •Familiarity with standard communication techniques and the importance of confidentiality, as these are foundational to all care roles.
- •Some workplace experience in a healthcare setting is beneficial, as it helps contextualise the theoretical content of the diploma.
Coursework AI Review
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Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
- 1 Understand current legislation, national guidelines, policies, protocols and good practice related to delivering exercise sessions 2 Understand the role of exercise and its physical effects on the body 3 Understand the principles and rationales for exercise programmes 4 Understand the use of exercise equipment 5 Be able to deliver exercise sessions
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