LEVEL 4

The science behind level 4

Ever wondered how REPs level 4 Specialist Exercise Instructor categories come about? If so, read on…

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he past year has seen the development of three new level 4 Specialist Exercise Instructor categories on REPs but how are new level 4 specialism’s chosen and

who decides what you need to know to prescribe safe and effective exercise for these special client groups?

SkillsActive, the sector skills council for active

leisure, learning and well-being in partnership with REPs and experts/clinicians, determine the development of new level 4 Specialist Exercise Instructor categories.

SkillsActive is a sector skills council (SSC), an independent, employer-led, UK-wide organisation licensed by government to build a skills system that employers want.

SkillsActive operates the level 4 Approval Panel – the experts responsible for assessing the appropriateness of new proposals at level 4. The panel includes representatives from SkillsActive, REPs, employers, training providers, universities, professional bodies and independent clinical exercise experts.

As with all levels of the Register, level 4 is underpinned by National Occupational Standards, often referred to as ‘standards’ or ‘NOS’.

SkillsActive works together with partner organisations and experts to develop NOS across the active leisure and learning sector. NOS establish the benchmark of competence required in the sector/role and are used by awarding organisations and training providers to inform the development of qualifications and training. They can also be used to inform employment practices.

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The level 4 Approval Panel makes its decision about whether a new NOS and level 4 REPs category is required by assessing a proposed specialism against a set of criteria. For example they would judge whether there is an evidence-based case and whether exercise instructors require an enhanced skill level and knowledge set beyond that which is covered by existing standards and qualifications.

A good ‘test’ for the panel when considering new developments at level 4 is whether there are already specialist exercise programmes/sessions being provided for patients, because this straight away identifies a new role within the industry, and therefore the need for instructors to up-skill. Good examples of this include Phase IV Cardiac Rehabilitation classes and British Lung Foundation Breathe Easy groups, which came before standards and exercise instructor qualifications ever existed in these specialist areas.

Once the development of a new specialist level 4 area is approved the next step is to develop new NOS. SkillsActive co-ordinates this process.

“A good ‘test’ for the panel when considering new developments at level 4 is whether there are already specialist exercise programmes/sessions being provided for patients”

The REPs Journal 2010;18(September):00-00 The REPs Journal 2011;22 (June):12-14