This page presents the standards of physical activity expected of non-disabled and disabled participants in HAF-funded Fit for All sessions and the template Outline Activity and Enrichment Plan which providers of HAF-funded sessions need to complete and return to Children’s Quarter.
Fit for All providers should provide activities that meet the government’s relevant physical activity guidelines for children and young people. For many children, these are that participants should:
- engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for an average of at least 60 minutes per day. This can include activities, including but not limited to: playing sports, cycling, swimming, running, free play and informal physical games.
- be able to take part in different types and intensity of physical activity to develop movement skills, muscular fitness, and bone strength
- minimise the amount of time spent being sat down and static and breaking up long periods of physical inactivity with some light physical activity.
The requirements above apply to many children and young people who have special needs and disabilities (SEND) or who are vulnerable as well as other children. A large proportion of children and young people taking part in Fit for All sessions, however, have special needs relating to mobility and physical activity. The Government’s guidance on physical activity for disabled children and young people indicates that participants should:
- do bitesize chunks of physical activity throughout the session – bear in mind that small amounts of physical activity are good for you as well
- build up to do 20 minutes of physical activity each day
- do challenging but manageable strength and balance activities 3 times per week.
There is reliable evidence that physical activity in the forms described above has a positive effect on the health and ability of children and young people in the following ways: bone health; cardiovascular fitness; muscle fitness; cognitive function; weight status; and mental health. It is also a factor in continuing physical activity in adult life which has a wider range of health and ability benefits. The Government identifies that for disabled children and young people, the benefits of physical activity also include: inclusion and equality.
Fit for All sessions should aim to enable young participants to win the benefits of inclusion and equality.
The Guidelines
You can download from the Department of Health and Social Care:
the UK Chief Medical Officers’ Physical Activity Guidelines
the Government’s Physical Activity Guidelines for disabled children and disabled young people.
Outline Activity Plan and Enrichment
Providers of HAF-funded Fit for All sessions should provide a plan showing what kind of physical activity will take place at sessions and indicating planned enrichment activities.
The template Outline Activity and Enrichment Plan is available as a Word document here.