Active Lifestyles Instructor

Nhs-1; Retford; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust seeks a Band 3 Active Lifestyles Instructor to deliver structured activity and health education for patients in a high secure setting.

You will work with the MDT to promote rehabilitation, health promotion and safe lifestyle initiatives, contributing to individual and group sessions and maintaining accurate records.

The role includes shift patterns across seven days with DBS checks and a strong commitment to patient care and safety.

Qualifications

• Nationally recognised Gym instructor qualification (minimum Level 2).
• A lifeguarding qualification or willingness to obtain once in post.
• Nationally recognised Learning Support qualification or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead fitness, activity and weight management education sessions for patients.
• Deliver structured group and individual activity programmes to promote health and rehabilitation.
• Maintain accurate records of attendance, progress and safety in line with Trust policies.

Skills

Fitness instruction

Motivation

Team collaboration

Education

Gym instructor Level 2

Lifeguarding qualification

Learning Support qualification

Job description

Main area AHP Grade band 3 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - Shift pattern over seven days, mixture of longer shifts Mon - Fri (08:30 - 20:30) and shorter shifts Saturday and Sunday (08:30 - 16:30) Job ref 186-748-26-FS

Employer Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Rampton Hospital Town Retford Salary £25,760 - £27,476 High Secure lead £7,000 Salary period Yearly Closing 13/09/2026 23:59

band 3

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Job overview

Are you passionate about promoting physical health, wellbeing and meaningful activity within a supportive, multidisciplinary environment? We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated Band 3 Active Lifestyles Instructors to join our Active Lifestyles Team within a high secure mental health setting.

As an Active Lifestyles Instructor, you will play a key role in delivering structured physical activity, exercise and educational sessions to patients with a range of needs. Working closely with Physiotherapists, Dietitians, Occupational Therapists, Technical Instructors and the wider MDT, you will support patient rehabilitation, engagement and recovery through safe, inclusive and motivating activity programmes.

You will contribute to individual and group sessions, support patient progress, and maintain accurate records while ensuring a safe and secure environment in line with Trust policies. The role also includes supporting weight management education, health promotion, nutrition awareness and healthy lifestyle initiatives, helping patients to improve their physical health and long‑term wellbeing.

This is a varied and rewarding role within a high secure environment, requiring flexibility, professionalism and a strong commitment to patient care and safety.

This post attracts a £7,000 High Secure Payment per annum, in addition to basic salary.

Main duties of the job

• Lead fitness, physical activity and weight management education sessions appropriate to patients with varying levels of ability, in line with individual needs and risk assessments.
• Support the delivery of structured group and individual activity programmes that promote physical health, wellbeing, engagement and rehabilitation.
• Escort patients safely to and from designated activity areas in accordance with Trust security procedures and policies.
• Work collaboratively with Physiotherapists, Dietitians, Occupational Therapists, Technical Instructors and the wider multidisciplinary team to support coordinated care and healthy lifestyle interventions.
• Provide motivation, encouragement and reassurance to support patient participation, confidence and progress.
• Maintain accurate, timely and confidential written records of patient attendance, participation and progress in line with Trust requirements.
• Contribute to maintaining a safe, clean and secure environment, ensuring equipment is checked, used appropriately and stored safely.
• Follow all Trust policies, procedures, health and safety, infection control and security guidelines at all times.

Working for our organisation

#TeamNottsHC comprises over 10,500 dedicated colleagues who #MakeADifference every day. We deliver intellectual disability, mental health, community health and forensic health services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and South Yorkshire. Our care is provided from over 80 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings and secure environments.

We are one of the largest mental health and community health Trusts in the East Midlands and one of Nottinghamshire's biggest employers. We also host national and regional services, such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.

We offer a variety of employee-led staff networks, including Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) groups, the Green Champions network, the Freedom to Speak Up network, the Health and Wellbeing Champions network, and the Menopause Champions network. These networks play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.

The health and wellbeing of colleagues is a top priority. We invest significantly in this through our in-house occupational health and staff counselling services, supported by a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team.

The Trust is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, with a specialised Energy and Environmental team working to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, enhance our environmental performance, and achieve our net-zero commitment.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Nationally recognised Gym instructor qualification (minimum Level 2) and relevant experience.
• A lifeguarding qualification or the willingness to obtain once in post.
• Nationally recognised Learning Support qualification or equivalent experience or the willingness to obtain once on post.
• Can demonstrate evidence of ongoing and updated professional development.
• Is able to comply with quality measures within an educational establishment.
• Has an understanding of the issues relating to supporting patients who might also have learning difficulties and/or disabilities.
• Has a knowledge of issues surrounding obesity and health related issues within a forensic or secure mental health setting.
• Has knowledge of the NHS and Mental Health Act and related legislation.
• Has a flexible approach to working practices.
• Able to work evenings and weekends on a team rota
• Is able to work on own initiative and as a team member.
• Has a commitment to equal opportunities.
• Is able to demonstrate a knowledge of risk and risk assessment.
• Participate in the escorting of patients in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Ability to adapt to working in different settings with a variety of patient groups.
• Knowledge or experience of delivering health promotion activities.
• Knowledge or experience of nutrition promotion

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £26.40 (standard) or £54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.

You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies.

Please note this post does not meet skill level required for a Skilled worker visa.

Successful applicants with no prior NHS experience would normally be placed at the bottom of the band in line with Agenda for Change. This salary is below the minimum salary required for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker/Health & Care visa. In these circumstances the Trust would not, therefore, be able to sponsor for a Skilled Worker/Health & Care visa.
Applicants requiring a Skilled Worker Visa can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship against the relevant criteria here https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Person specification

Qualifications

• English grade 4 or higher (or equivalent recognised in the UK)
• Maths grade 4 or higher (or equivalent recognised in the UK)
• Level 3 Personal trainer
• Degree level sports/fitness/nutrition/rehab

Physical ablity

• Ability to complete PVMA course on an annual basis.
• Ability to deliver multiple fitness sessions throughout the day
• Ability to work shifts, including evenings and weekends

Training

• Evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to the role.
• Courses relevant to the post

Experience

• Experience of working with individual and or groups of clients/students/learners in a Healthy Lifestyles/Fitness setting
• Experience of delivering a need led Programme.
• Experience of working within a forensic or secure setting

Knowledge

• Knowledge of current and up-to-date government recommendations and interventions for Healthy Lifestyles/Healthy living
• Knowledge of physical interventions for weight loss and Rehabilitation

Skills

• Ability to facilitate a planned lesson
• IT skills for record keeping, making notes and creating resources
• Experience of working within a forensic or secure setting

Additional Information

• We reserve the right to close the post early once we have received a sufficient number of applicants.
• The Trust believes in treating everyone with dignity and respect and encourages applications from all sectors of the community. We guarantee an interview to candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum essential criteria.
• For eligible posts, DBS disclosures are mandatory before commencement of employment. If you are in a position that is deemed a regulated adult and/or child care role, you will not be able to start your employment until we have received a satisfactory DBS Disclosure. The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Convictions which would otherwise be considered as 'spent' will also be checked as part of an Enhanced DBS Disclosure.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Mark Atkinson- Team operational lead ext. Rampton 6221