Verified Skilled Worker sponsor

Sports, Fitness and Wellbeing Instructor

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Leicester, LE5 0LE £25,760 – £27,476 a year Permanent Posted 26 August 2026 Apply by 9 September 2026

Home Office register entry: Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Nottingham

Visa sponsorship

This role is listed by an employer that holds a live Home Office sponsor licence on the Skilled Worker route.

NHS roles fall under the Health and Care Worker route. Public reference figures for that route: the general salary minimum is £25,000 a year, and salaries set by national pay scales (NHS bands) at or above the relevant band rate typically meet the occupation's requirement. Individual eligibility depends on personal circumstances. These figures are public reference information, not advice or a verdict on this job.

Role description

Job summary

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.

About us

#TeamNottsHC comprises over 11,000 dedicated colleagues who #MakeADifference every day. We deliver intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic, and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire. Our care is provided from over 200 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings, and secure environments, including prisons.

We are one of the largest mental health and community 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.

Date posted

26 August 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year Per Annum (pro rata for part time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

186-759-26-FS

Job locations

Arnold Lodge

Cordelia Close

Leicester

LE5 0LE

United Kingdom

Job description

Job 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

Person Specification

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..

Training

Essential

Evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to the role.

Desirable

Courses relevant to the post

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.

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

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

Contractual Requirements

Essential

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

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.