Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust logo

Sports, Fitness and Wellbeing Instructor


Salary
£25,760 - £27,476 Per Annum (pro rata for part time)
Profession
Mental health professionals
Grade
Band 3
Deadline
09 Sep 2026
Contract Type
Permanent
Posted Date
26 Aug 2026
Medical Protection — the side of locally employed doctors from £83

Job overview

Are you passionate about helping people transform their health, boost their fitness, and achieve their wellbeing goals? We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated, and qualified Sports, Fitness and Wellbeing Instructor to join our Team. We have an exciting opportunity available to join us in our provision of a varied and innovative sports and fitness programme which aims to meet the needs of our patients with mental health difficulties and personality disorder.

If you believe you have the right drive, passion and qualifications then we’d love to hear from you.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. 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.

Main duties of the job

As a Sport, Fitness and Wellbeing Instructor, you will work closely with patients of all abilities, supporting their rehabilitation, physical activity, and general wellbeing. Your role will involve delivering structured fitness sessions, ensuring safe environments, and helping patients feel motivated and confident in their progress. The team is also part of the Therapies Department and works closely with them to ensure patients receive the the best care and reach their potential through working collaboratively and enabling goals to be attained.

The team are pivotal in ensuring the running of the hair and beauty department; and do provide support in the facilitation of this along with chaplaincy sessions and social groups linked to equality strands.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

  • To plan and deliver the needs led sports and fitness programme for patients alongside other team members.
  • To provide on-ward sessions and community sports to patients in a specific care pathway.

To work with patients in ICU, Long Term Segregation and seclusion.

To keep accurate, appropriate and contemporaneous patient records in accordance with the Forensic Information Governance Group and Trust Policy.

To complete assessments and reports as required

Engage in regular clinical and managerial supervision.

To support the facilitation of Chaplaincy sessions, the hair and beauty service and the social groups linked to equality strands.

  • Participate in the Trusts’ Annual Review process and complete all essential training.
  • To work on the wards when required for example to cover staff support or low staffing numbers.
  • To update and develop skills, utilise CPD opportunities and maintain own professional portfolio.
  • Maintain clear professional boundaries when working with a challenging patient group.
  • To undertake any other duties that would be a reasonable expectation of the role e.g. session cover.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

Gym Instructor Level 2 or equivalent

GSCE/GCE grade C and above or in English & Maths (or equivalent)

Previous vocational training as relevant to the post.

Experience and skill in fitness assessment, exercise planning, evaluation and the safe use of sports and fitness equipment.

Experience of working with adults with a range of physical and mental health disabilities.

Has a knowledge and understanding of current exercise and health initiatives.

Knowledge and experience of coaching team sports.

Ability to carry out fitness instructions.

Ability to listen to patients and meet their fitness and well-being needs where possible.

Please note that this post does not meet the pay or skill level required for a Skilled worker 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

Applicant requirements

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.

Person specification

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills
  • IT skills for record keeping, making notes and creating resources.
  • Identified interest or expertise within sports e.g. yoga, football.
  • Ability to motivate and encourage those who have an unwillingness to engage.
  • Ability to use initiative.
  • Ability to work independantly.
  • Work effectively within an MDT.
  • Ability to identify risk for self and others and follow policies and procedures.
  • Maintain records and produce reports.
  • Participate in the development of the service.

Desirable

  • Positive attitude
  • Other skills

Training

Essential

  • Evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to the role.

Desirable

  • Courses relevant to the post

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of current and up-to-date government recommendations and interventions for exercise and Health initiatives.
  • Demonstrates an understanding of cultural and diversity needs.
  • commitment to continual professional development.

Desirable

  • knowledge of Arnold Lodge and its purpose

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of fitness assessment, exercise/sports planning and evaluation.
  • Experience of delivering a need led Programme.
  • Experience of teaching adults with a range of physical and mental health needs.
  • Experience of liaison with other services, agencies and other professional colleagues.

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a secure setting.
  • Experience of maintaining written records and databases.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Level 2 Gym Instructor course
  • English grade C or higher (or equivalent recognised in the UK)
  • Maths grade C or higher (or equivalent recognised in the UK)

Desirable

  • Level 2 Sports Coaching
  • Evidence of other relevant training or courses

Physical ability

Essential

  • Ability to complete annual training in PVMA, PSPT and Hospital Life support.
  • Ability to deliver multiple fitness sessions throughout the day in a range of environments, sports hall, community settings, outdoors, gyms..

Contractual Requirements

Essential

  • Ability to adapt to changing service and have flexible working pattern e.g. work evenings and weekends when required.

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Applying for this NHS job

This advert is for Sports, Fitness and Wellbeing Instructor with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in Arnold Lodge. It is listed as a Band 3 Mental health professionals role. The advertised salary is £25,760 - £27,476 Per Annum (pro rata for part time). The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 09 Sep 2026.

Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (26 Aug 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.

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