Job summary
We are looking to recruit a highly motivated individual who is able to work flexibly in a dual role as both a Fitness Instructor and Activity Coordinator at Lavender Walk Adolescent Unit. As the ward's fitness instructor, you will support patients to engage in exercise as an intervention to enhance both their physical and mental health needs. The role involves developing therapeutic relationships with patients to promote the benefits of physical activity and supporting them to make positive lifestyle changes. As an activity coordinator you would also be required to run a variety of leisure, social, creative and skills-based activities with both individuals and groups. To provide an exercise & wellbeing service to Lavender Walk Adolescent Unit.
We are a 12 bed General Adolescent Unit (GAU) that cares for young people between the ages of 13-18 years old, with complex mental health needs and emotional difficulties. We serve young people from Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham and Hounslow.
Main duties of the job
- To facilitate gym sessions and group exercise sessions, including gym inductions for inpatients and providing individual programmes.
- To provide staff advice and training for staff in supervising the use of the gym equipment.
- To take responsibility for regular equipment checks and arranging servicing and report any repairs, maintaining safe gym environments on the inpatient wards.
- To keep records of attendance and writing in patient records.
- To support young people to improve their health and wellbeing by coaching individuals/ groups to lead a healthy lifestyle as well as carrying out health promotion interventions.
- To facilitate a programme of active, social and skills-based activities with both individuals and groups of service users which promote social inclusion and improved engagement across the areas of self-care, productivity and leisure.
- To work closely with the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) in coordinating and facilitating client centred activities.
- To work creatively to engage young people who may be experiencing significant loss of motivation and self-efficacy due to their mental health crisis.
About us
Lavender Walk Adolescent Unit is a busy and friendly service which welcomes new skills and new ideas. It is part of Central & North West London (CNWL) Foundation Mental Health Trust and is situated in Kensington & Chelsea (South Kensington and Chelsea Mental Health Centre, 1 Nightingale Place, London, SW10 9NG) with close transport links and local amenities.
The Lavender Walk team is made up of two Consultant Psychiatrists (one of which is the Clinical Lead), Consultant Clinical Psychologist (Therapies Lead), Matron (Clinical Unit Manager), Ward Manager, Qualified Nurses, Nurse Associates, Health Care Assistants, Speciality Doctors, Junior Doctors, Lead Occupational Therapist, Art Therapist, Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner, Speech and Language Therapist, Clinical Psychologists, Systemic Family Psychotherapists, Social Worker, Activity Coordinator, and Teaching staff.
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Job description
Job responsibilities
Applicants should have a current Fitness Instructor / Exercise Referral Instructor qualification (UK Level 3 or above). You will need to have current registration with REPS or CIMPSA or agree to register prior to starting in post. Please state your qualifications clearly in your application.
You will be supported and supervised by an Occupational Therapist and there will be a trust induction and training on starting in post. Development is promoted and there is a wide array of additional training available within the trust plus opportunity to connect with other fitness instructors working for CNWL. There is opportunity to get involved in service improvement projects across the unit.
Please see job description attached for further details of the role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Applicants should have a current Fitness Instructor / Exercise Referral Instructor qualification (UK Level 3 or above). You will need to have current registration with REPS or CIMPSA or agree to register prior to starting in post. Please state your qualifications clearly in your application.
You will be supported and supervised by an Occupational Therapist and there will be a trust induction and training on starting in post. Development is promoted and there is a wide array of additional training available within the trust plus opportunity to connect with other fitness instructors working for CNWL. There is opportunity to get involved in service improvement projects across the unit.
Please see job description attached for further details of the role.
Person Specification
Qualification
Essential
- GCSE grade C or equivalent in Mathematics and English
- Applicants should have a current Fitness Instructor / Exercise Referral Instructor qualification (UK Level 3 or above). Current registration with REPS or CIMPSA or agree to register prior to starting in post
Desirable
- Evidence of other relevant training or courses
- Evidence of training specific to facilitating physical activity with adolescents
- NVQ 3 in Care / Certificate in Community Mental Health Care or agreed equivalent
SKILLS
Essential
- Can teach new skills to individuals and groups
- Can prescribe safe, acceptable and enjoyable exercise programmes for all levels of fitness and ability
- Good communication skills (written, verbal and basic use of other communication systems, i.e. Microsoft programs, outlook, and telephone)
- Ability to maintain written records and produce reports. Good IT skills
- Willingness to facilitate and, where appropriate, engage in age-appropriate therapeutic activities for young people
Desirable
- Positive attitude to working with mental health service users and carers.
- Ability to function effectively within a multi-professional team and develop cohesive working relationships.
- Ability to maintain clear professional boundaries when working with a challenging patient group.
Experience / Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of working with people in groups and/ or individually in either a sports/ exercise or care setting
- Experience of working in a culturally diverse setting
- An understanding of developments in health and wellbeing, sports and exercise
Desirable
- Experience of working in a mental health setting (paid or voluntary)
- Experience of working with adolescents
- Personal experience of engaging in a broad range of physical activities
- An understanding of the needs of individuals affected by mental health issues
- Experience of working within a team setting
Person Specification
Qualification
Essential
- GCSE grade C or equivalent in Mathematics and English
- Applicants should have a current Fitness Instructor / Exercise Referral Instructor qualification (UK Level 3 or above). Current registration with REPS or CIMPSA or agree to register prior to starting in post
Desirable
- Evidence of other relevant training or courses
- Evidence of training specific to facilitating physical activity with adolescents
- NVQ 3 in Care / Certificate in Community Mental Health Care or agreed equivalent
SKILLS
Essential
- Can teach new skills to individuals and groups
- Can prescribe safe, acceptable and enjoyable exercise programmes for all levels of fitness and ability
- Good communication skills (written, verbal and basic use of other communication systems, i.e. Microsoft programs, outlook, and telephone)
- Ability to maintain written records and produce reports. Good IT skills
- Willingness to facilitate and, where appropriate, engage in age-appropriate therapeutic activities for young people
Desirable
- Positive attitude to working with mental health service users and carers.
- Ability to function effectively within a multi-professional team and develop cohesive working relationships.
- Ability to maintain clear professional boundaries when working with a challenging patient group.
Experience / Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of working with people in groups and/ or individually in either a sports/ exercise or care setting
- Experience of working in a culturally diverse setting
- An understanding of developments in health and wellbeing, sports and exercise
Desirable
- Experience of working in a mental health setting (paid or voluntary)
- Experience of working with adolescents
- Personal experience of engaging in a broad range of physical activities
- An understanding of the needs of individuals affected by mental health issues
- Experience of working within a team setting
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
