Educational Policies

OLF’s Mission Statement

OLF strives to provide the very best additional courses to the fitness industry. We strive to develop courses that have ‘real world’ benefits to learners (trainers) and their clients. The areas/ fields where we develop our courses are areas that are often on the fringe of the fitness industry. They are often in areas that trainers tend to delve with little or no previous exposure or experience. At OLF we aim to bridge this gap, by providing training and expertise delivered safely and effectively in these areas.

We aim to achieve our mission by providing courses that are taught by trainers who are appropriately qualified, dynamic, well trained, energetic and able to deliver to OLF’s high standards. Our courses are held in venues that are safe, accessible and provide the appropriate atmosphere for learning the practical and theoretical elements that make up our courses.

Equal Opportunities Policy and Procedure

OLF is committed in its maintenance of its high standards to a pursuit of equality of opportunity thereby supporting and including all groups including the under represented and by valuing diversity.

OLF is therefore committed to employing the best person for the job, where in regard to a trainer/ tutor this is the person/s who are able to best meet the standards of the IV process. For participants of the courses there are certain criteria for passing (practical observation checklists etc) the courses.

No person whether a trainer/ tutor or participant on one of the courses will be treated less favourably than another on the grounds of sex (including gender reassignment, marital or parental status, race, ethnic or national origin, colour disability, sexual orientation, religion or age. For participants it is the ability to pass selected criteria and for trainers/ tutors it is the ability to perform the job; which will be the primary consideration.

If any person whether a prospective trainer/ tutor or course participant feels that they have suffered from unequal treatment on any of the above grounds, they may make a complaint via our grievance policy and it will be accordingly dealt with.

OLF aims to deliver good practice by:

• Promoting equal opportunity
• Promoting good relations between people of different racial groups, different genders, and between disabled and non-disabled persons.
• Having due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination on grounds of race, sex, disability, and all other grounds set out in the statement on equal opportunities.
• Promoting an inclusive culture, good practice in teaching, learning, and assessment, and good management practice, through the development of codes of best practice, policies and training.
• Taking positive action wherever possible to support this policy and its aims.

Code of Ethical Practice

The Optimal Life Fitness Group adheres to the following code of ethical practice in all business dealing with consumers, suppliers and other organizations.

1. Represent all products and services fairly and honestly in all aspects of sales and marketing activity, so that the customer understands fully the nature, quality and fitness for purpose of the product or services being offered.
2. Ensure that all advertising, promotional and marketing material is legal, decent, honest and truthful and meets the requirements of the Advertising Standards Agency.
3. Not to make false representation or claims that products or services have received a designated or official endorsement or approval, or conform to relevant industry standards, including British and European Safety Standards, unless there is documentary evidence or certification to confirm such claims.
4. To engage in proper and ethical standards when soliciting business without making or publishing false or disparaging statements concerning a competitor, or that competitors products.
5. To ensure that all technical and contractual advice is written in plain language and that quotations, price lists and sales terms are clear, correct and do not confuse or deceive customers.
6. To maintain adequate insurance cover in respect of employer’s and public liability.
7. To ensure that all employees, contractors and/or agents are courteous, adequately qualified and exercise their responsibilities with appropriate skill, care and professionalism.
8. A company representative shall respond promptly in writing to all formal written complaints made by customers in respect of activities and/or Products and shall use its best efforts to resolve all such complaints efficiently and in a timely and equitable manner.

Educational Course Terms and Conditions and Complaints Procedure

Within this document ‘we, our, company, company’s’ refers to Optimal Life Fitness Ltd and ‘you’ refers to the client

1. Payment for the Course must be made in full prior to the course start.
2. A deposit of 50% can be taken with the remainder of the course being paid in full 4 weeks prior to the course date.
3. Optimal Life Fitness ltd does not accept deposits for the course; payment must be made in full.
4. Optimal Life Fitness Ltd does not offer a refund once payment for a course has been made.
5. If you feel you have been unfairly treated at any point in your dealings with the company please refer to our grievance policy.
6. Optimal Life Fitness Ltd reserves the right to move a course to a different date at the company’s discretion and decision. You will not be refunded for this change but will be offered a course at a later date.
7. If you cannot attend the course you have booked you must inform Optimal Life Fitness Ltd up to 14days before the course start date. You will then be offered another course at a later date. We will not refund any monies paid. You will only have this option once, if you cancel the next course we are not expected to offer you another place on a future course.
8. You can transfer your place on the course providing you inform us 14 days prior to the course start date and the date you transfer is within 6 months of the course date that originally booked.
9. If you cancel your place on the course within 14 days of the course start date, we will not refund any monies paid.
10. If you cancel your place on the course within 14 days of the course start date we are not expected to offer you a place on a future course.
11. If at any point during the course you become injured, we will give you 6 months to retake the course for no extra charge. We are not expected to hold your place for any longer than 6 months and it is your responsibility to re book your place on the course within those 6 months.

Updated June 2008

Grievance Policy

1. All complaints will be dealt with fairly, discreetly and promptly by a representative of the company.
2. If you have a complaint prior to the course start, regarding the correspondence you have received or the way your booking has been dealt with you should contact the company representative.
3. If you are dissatisfied with a certain aspect of the course, the material, the teaching practice or the outcome of the course and wish to raise this issue. You should contact your company representative post course in writing or by email.
4. If you are unhappy with the outcome of the practical assessment you should contact your company representative post course in writing or by email. A discussion by telephone or other means will take place to inform you of reasons why the decision on the outcome was reached.
5. You have the opportunity to appeal this outcome and this should be done in writing or by email within 14 days of receiving your course results.
6. If you are dissatisfied with any part of the post course communications you should contact your company representative in writing or by email.

Updated June 2008

The Supporting Learners with Learning Difficulties Policy
1. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is

• To implement the commitment of The Optimal Life Fitness Group in developing an environment in which all applicants and students are given the opportunity to demonstrate and realise their full potential
• To provide for the commitment of the staff in their work to develop such an environment.

2. Aims
To embed a culture of support and equal opportunities for students with disabilities or learning difficulties.
3. Objectives

• To provide fair and equal treatment of all students;
• To comply with current legislation under the Disability Discrimination Act;

Our Assessment and examination policies, practices and procedures should provide disabled students with the same opportunity as their peers to demonstrate the achievement of learning outcomes.
4. Policy
The Optimal Life Fitness Group will ensure:

• That applicants and students are given the opportunity to disclose a disability or learning difficulty;
• That the requirements of applicants or students who disclose a disability or learning difficulty are assessed on an individual basis;
• That reasonable adjustments are provided, within the resources available, for applicants or students who disclose a disability or learning difficulty;
• That all discussions and information regarding a disability or learning difficulty are treated in a confidential manner.

5. Procedure

Pre-Registration

• Students are given the opportunity to disclose any disability or learning difficulty on the course questionnaire form or directly to the tutor
• Applicants who disclose a disability or learning difficulty are invited to discuss their requirements prior to enrolling on the course programme to ensure that the Optimal Life Fitness Group is able to meet the students’ needs;

6. Examples of Adjustments
Examples of adjustments include:

• Additional time in tests and examinations;
• Separate room provided to accommodate all students with additional time in tests and examinations;
• Academic staff will be provided with guidelines on marking scripts written by dyslexic students;
• Opportunity to voice record lecturer

7. Monitoring
The Educational Director will be responsible for monitoring the support provided to students who disclose a disability or learning difficulty.  This will be done by speaking directly to delegates post course.