Clinical Exercise Therapist | South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust

South West London and St Georges Mental Health Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health trust in Greater London is looking for a Band 5 Lead Clinical Exercise Therapist to join their forensic inpatient service. The successful candidate will coordinate sports and exercise interventions tailored to the needs of forensic patients, ensuring a safe and supportive environment. Responsibilities include assessing patient suitability for exercise, tailoring programs, and maintaining fitness equipment. The trust values diversity and offers flexible working conditions to support staff development and patient recovery.

Benefits

Flexible working

Career development opportunities

Variety of benefits for a positive environment

Qualifications

• Experience in providing exercise interventions in a clinical setting.
• Knowledge of ACSM guidelines for exercise prescription.
• Ability to tailor exercise programs to patients' individual needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead sports and exercise interventions for forensic patients.
• Assess patients' suitability for exercise programs.
• Maintain fitness equipment and ensure safety standards.

Skills

Exercise intervention

Patient assessment

Risk management

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Relevant degree or certification

Job description

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.

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.

Responsibilities

• To work effectively as a member of the OT team and provide a programme. of ward, department and community based therapeutic activities. This will include leading on the development and facilitation of sports and exercise interventions and activities across the secure service.
• To assess patients’ suitability for exercise, adhering to ACSM guidelines where appropriate.
• To discuss concerns around any identified medical contraindications to exercise with OT, clinical exercise therapy colleagues, ward staff and MDT medical staff.
• To tailor patients sports and exercise programmes to their individual needs, taking personal interests and any possible limitations into account.
• To be aware of patient history/background/culture/risk and take this into account when designing personalised exercise programmes.
• To promote and support individual choice and maximum independence, respecting patients’ beliefs and ensuring privacy and dignity.
• To be familiar with medication and the possible side effects when planning/designing/delivering exercise programmes.
• To maintain all fitness equipment to a satisfactory level, ensuring regular maintenance in line with Trust health and safety standards.
• To continually evaluate patient progress, exercise programmes and risk assessments as patient’s needs change, making timely alterations to exercise programmes accordingly.
• To assess and manage risk effectively within clinical and community settings, ensuring a safe environment in which to exercise.

About the Trust

We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust. We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as ‘good’ - we aspire to be ‘outstanding’.

We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.

We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive. Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.

This advert closes on Sunday 4 Jan 2026