1.1 Summarise current legislation, national guidelines, policies, protocols and good practice guidelines that inform own practice in delivering exercise sessions

This guide will help you answer 1.1 Summarise current legislation, national guidelines, policies, protocols and good practice guidelines that inform own practice in delivering exercise sessions.

Delivering exercise sessions in a health and social care setting is not just about leading safe and effective physical activities. Your practice must follow the law, national standards, organisational policies and recognised professional guidelines. In the UK, these rules protect service users, guide professional behaviour and ensure high standards of care. This guide covers the main legislation, national guidelines, protocols and good practice guidance you need to understand and apply.

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

This is the primary piece of legislation for workplace safety in the UK. It places duties on employers and employees to maintain a safe environment. In exercise sessions, it means you must take steps to minimise risks that could cause harm.

Employers must:

• Provide safe equipment and facilities
• Train staff to work safely
• Maintain safe systems of work

Workers must:

• Follow safety procedures
• Use equipment properly
• Report hazards or unsafe conditions

Before leading an exercise session you should check the area for obstacles, hazards and faults in equipment. You should remove or report anything that might pose a risk to service users.

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

These regulations build on the Health and Safety at Work Act and focus on risk assessment. In the context of exercise sessions, this means assessing potential dangers and planning how to prevent them.

Risk assessments should:

• Identify hazards such as slippery floors or faulty equipment
• Decide how serious each risk is
• Record findings and actions taken
• Review assessments regularly

This process helps reduce accidents during sessions. Proper documentation also provides evidence that you have followed legal duties.

Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992

These regulations are highly relevant if exercise sessions involve supporting people with mobility needs. They require training in safe manual handling, understanding body mechanics and using aids when available.

Poor lifting or movement techniques can cause injury to you or service users. In line with these regulations, workers should:

• Avoid hazardous manual handling where possible
• Use correct lifting and handling techniques
• Apply mechanical aids such as hoists or transfer boards
• Work in pairs for heavier tasks

Equality Act 2010

This law protects people from discrimination on grounds such as age, disability, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation. In exercise sessions, this means activities must be inclusive and accessible.

Practical steps include:

• Adjusting exercises for different mobility levels
• Providing options for seated or standing participation
• Using clear language that everyone can understand
• Avoiding assumptions about a person’s physical ability

This helps promote equal opportunities for all participants.

Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR

These laws govern how personal data is collected, stored and used. In exercise sessions it applies to health records, fitness assessments, attendance sheets and any individual performance notes.

Key points:

• Record only necessary information
• Store information securely, both digitally and physically
• Share data only with authorised staff
• Gain consent from service users before using their data for reports or projects

Breaching these laws can lead to serious consequences for you and your organisation.

National Guidelines from Health Organisations

Several bodies issue national guidelines relevant to delivering exercise sessions safely and effectively.

NHS Physical Activity Guidelines

These outline recommended activity levels for different age groups and health conditions. They help shape session plans that meet safe fitness standards. For example:

• Adults should aim for 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity per week
• Children need at least 60 minutes a day
• Older adults benefit from balance and strength exercises

Following these guidelines ensures that the intensity and type of exercises match participant needs.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidance

NICE produces evidence-based recommendations for health and social care. This includes guidance on promoting physical activity, preventing falls and managing specific conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. Using NICE guidance helps you select exercises that are proven to be effective and safe for particular health needs.

Public Health England (PHE) Recommendations

PHE provides advice on community-based physical activity programmes, inclusive fitness opportunities and how exercise supports mental wellbeing. Applying PHE recommendations encourages a holistic approach, covering both physical and emotional benefits of activity.

Organisational Policies and Protocols

Your employer will have internal documents to explain how exercise sessions should be delivered and monitored. These are based on legislation and national guidance but adapted to local needs.

Examples of policies include:

• Health and safety procedures for exercise areas
• Safeguarding policy to protect vulnerable adults and children
• Infection control policy for shared equipment and facilities
• Training and competency requirements for exercise leaders

Following these policies ensures that your practice aligns with organisational standards and expectations.

Safeguarding Protocols

Safeguarding covers protecting people from abuse, harm and neglect. Exercise sessions involve direct contact with service users so safeguarding rules are important.

In practice this means:

• Noticing signs of distress or injury and responding appropriately
• Reporting any concerns to a safeguarding officer
• Maintaining professional boundaries during sessions
• Avoiding physical contact unless necessary for safety or support and gaining consent first

The Care Act 2014 places a duty on care services to protect adults at risk. Similarly, the Children Act 1989 and 2004 sets out duties for protecting children.

Infection Prevention and Control

Exercise sessions often use shared equipment and may take place in group settings. Following infection control guidance reduces the spread of illness. Guidance from the NHS and UK Health Security Agency covers:

• Cleaning equipment between uses
• Encouraging handwashing or sanitising
• Managing airborne risks with good ventilation
• Staying at home if feeling unwell

This is particularly important for vulnerable service users with weaker immune systems.

Good Practice Guidelines in Exercise Delivery

Good practice often comes from professional bodies such as the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) or the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs). These organisations publish standards for safe and effective exercise delivery.

They cover points such as:

• Planning sessions appropriate to abilities and health conditions
• Giving clear instructions and demonstrations
• Monitoring participants for signs of discomfort or fatigue
• Making gradual changes to intensity
• Using positive encouragement to boost motivation

Following good practice improves safety, engagement and outcomes.

Adapting for Special Populations

National and professional guidelines stress adapting exercise for people with particular needs. Examples include:

• Low-impact sessions for people with joint problems
• Extra balance support for those at risk of falls
• Shorter intervals and rest breaks for people with heart conditions
• Chair-based exercises for those unable to stand for long

This personalised approach helps keep sessions safe and inclusive.

Consent for Participation

Before starting exercise programmes, informed consent should be gained from participants. This means explaining what the session will involve, any risks, and how it might help them. Consent can be verbal or written, depending on organisational protocol. For service users lacking capacity, consent must be gained from a legally authorised representative, following the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Record Keeping

Detailed records show what happened in a session and support ongoing planning. They also prove compliance with legislation and protocols. Records may include:

• Attendance lists
• Exercise types and duration
• Notes on any difficulties or adverse events
• Adjustments made for individual needs

Organisations often require these records to be stored securely for a set period to meet data protection rules.

Continuous Professional Development

National standards and organisational policies expect staff to maintain and improve their skills. This may involve attending training, reading updated guidelines or completing refresher courses in health and safety, manual handling or exercise delivery. Keeping knowledge up to date lets you apply best practice and comply with new legal requirements.

Final Thoughts

Delivering exercise sessions in health and social care requires more than just practical skill in leading activities. Every session is shaped by legislation, national health guidelines, organisational policies and professional standards. These frameworks keep participants safe, protect their rights and make sure activities are effective.

By understanding and applying these rules, you can lead exercise sessions that are safe, inclusive and beneficial. It builds trust among service users, meets legal obligations and supports high-quality care. Your role is not only to guide physical activity but also to protect wellbeing, promote equality and follow the professional standards expected in UK health and social care.