LLT- PSI Aims of the Course

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Course Accreditation (Accredited NVQ 4 Level August 2008)

SkillsActive (www.skillsactive.com) and the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) (www.reps-uk.org/welcome.asp) have recently completed a project to develop new National Occupational Standards at Level 3 specific to the fitness industry. The Standards are split up into two sections: the mandatory units (which describe the essential aspects of working as an advanced instructor such as consultation skills) and programme design, and additional units which includes special populations and exercise referral. They are currently working on Level 4 standards.

The Level 3 NVQ is a particular qualification, an assessment in the workplace of the mandatory units from the Level 3 Standards. NVQs are awarded by awarding bodies like City and Guilds and officially this is the only thing that can be called an NVQ. There are, however, a range of other qualifications and training recognised by REPS at Level 3 which can be used as continuing professional development (CPD).

The Postural Stability Instructor course is a qualification that can be used as CPD for fitness professionals. SkillsActive and REPs recognise the quality of the course and it is currently recognised as a Level 3 Endorsed training course. The continuing work of SkillsActive and REPS on Level 4 accreditation will hopefully lead to the course being recognised at Level 4.

The aims of the Course are to -

Provide training for exercise and health professionals to facilitate service provision and meet National Service Framework standards
Establish quality-assured service provision in community settings
Enable consistency in communication, understanding of roles and sharing of skills between the professionals involved
Enable self-referral into the programme following pre-assessment, and acknowledgement from GP
Improve access for this vulnerable group of participants by increasing frequency and flexibility of exercise programmes
Encourage education about the benefits of exercise for reducing falls and injury among primary care professionals and lay people

The aims of the course for the candidate are -

To be able to plan and deliver an exercise programme for frailer older people, which will safely and effectively improve their physical function, and in particular their postural stability, in order to reduce their risk of falls.
To support this practice with relevant background knowledge of -

- The causes and consequences of falls and fall-related injuries.
- The evidence relating to physical activity, falls and fall-related injuries.
- The medical conditions and medications likely to be encountered.

- The adaptations to practice, programming and supervision of falls and injury prevention sessions

The course will enable candidates to -

Provide safe, effective, enjoyable exercise programmes
Provide graded transitions between the primary care and community leisure settings
Build on the functional gains achieved through physiotherapy and occupational therapy
Provide support to physiotherapists working in the clinical and community setting
Provide on-going assessment of health and functional capacity
Provide social opportunities to increase long-term commitment to exercise

Local funding bid -

If you are making a local funding bid in your area, we have a funding bid template which you may find useful as a guide. Email us info@laterlifetraining.co.uk

Applying for funding: If you are a physiotherapist wishing to source funding for your 'post qualifying' training, then the CSP have written a document with potential funding routes - see (PDF). If you are an exercise instructor, then your local PCT may be willing to fund your training if you are willing to sign up to a period of teaching for them
- contact your local Falls Coordinator to see if they have access to funds or require more PSIs in their service. You can find your local Falls Coordinator through either the PCT headoffice or try typing "Falls Coordinator in XXX (add your area)" into Google. LLT cannot provide you with this information.

Later Life Training Exercise for the Prevention of Falls and Injuries in Frailer Older People Postural Stability Instructor course

Click for References and Course Evaluation