Job Summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 5 Lead Clinical exercise therapist in our forensic inpatient service in South West London & St George’s Mental Health Trust. We have a large and supportive therapies team consisting of Occupational therapists, clinical exercise therapists, activity support workers, and technical instructors. The Forensic Inpatient Service is comprised of both medium and low secure wards. The service provides treatment under the Mental Health Act for men and women with mental health problems and who are considered to pose a significant risk of harm to others. The primary aim of the Forensic Inpatient Service is to provide a safe and secure environment in which to support forensic patients to develop the skills necessary for their recovery and a smooth transition into the community. The therapies team work across the four wards within the service.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will be a key member of the Forensic Occupational Therapy Team, co-ordinating and leading on the provision of exercise interventions and sports activities as part of the secure services programme for all medium and low secure wards. The service has a small team of clinical exercise therapists that sit within the broader Occupational Therapy team. The postholder will lead this aspect of the team providing a range of sports and exercise interventions and activities that reflect the needs of forensic inpatients, as well as developing initiatives that educate and motivate patients to adopt and maintain healthier lifestyles. There will be opportunity to lead on specific quality improvement and service development projects in line with need of the service. Innovation is encouraged.
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Sports and Exercise Science or equivalent sports related degree
- Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification
- Level 1 Sports Coaching Awards
- Level 3 GP Exercise Referral certificate
Desirable
- Certificates in Exercise & Mental Health
- Certificate in Nutritional Assessment
- Smoking Cessation certificate (level 3)
- Current UK driving licence
- HSE approved First Aid at work course (4 days) – to be completed within first year in post
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working as a gym instructor, with groups and individuals, screening, assessing and designing exercise programmes
- Experience of working within a NHS, Public Health or Mental Health setting
Desirable
- Experience of coaching/leading sports activities with clients of differing abilities
- Experience of assessing and advising on healthy lifestyle issues
- Experience of supervising staff
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Ability to work under pressure
- Group work skills
- Effective team worker
- Ability to lead healthy lifestyle groups
- Good communication skills, written and verbal
- Knowledge of our business and how it supports patient care
- health/safety and risk awareness
- An understanding of working with people with mental health needs
Desirable
- Ability to teaching a variety of sports
- Project management skills
- Formal teaching and presentation skills
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Closing Date: 27 April 2025
