Clinical Exercise Therapist
The closing date is 11 June 2026
South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 4 Clinical Exercise Therapist within our Forensic Inpatient Service at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust. The post sits within a large, supportive therapies team that includes Occupational Therapists, Clinical Exercise Therapists, Activity Support Workers, and Technical Instructors.
The Forensic Inpatient Service comprises both medium and low secure wards, providing care under the Mental Health Act for men and women with mental health difficulties who present a significant risk of harm to themselves or others. The service also supports individuals with co‑existing learning disabilities and autism.
Our primary aim is to provide a safe, secure, and therapeutic environment that enables patients to develop the skills needed for their recovery and successful transition back into the community.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will be a key member of the Forensic Therapies Team, supporting the Lead Clinical Exercise Therapist in delivering exercise interventions and sports activities across all medium and low secure wards. Our service includes a small team of Clinical Exercise Therapists working within the wider therapies department.
In this role, the postholder will work with the team to provide a range of sports and exercise‑based interventions tailored to the needs of forensic inpatients. They will also contribute to developing initiatives that educate, encourage, and motivate patients to adopt and maintain healthier lifestyles.
Job responsibilities
To assess service users suitability for exercise, adhering to American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines where appropriate.
To discuss concerns around any identified medical contraindications to exercise with the wards medical staff.
To tailor a service users sport/exercise therapy programme to their individual needs, taking personal interests and any possible limitations into account.
To be aware of service users history/background/culture and take this into account when designing exercise programmes and contribute to a clinical team risk assessment as appropriate.
To promote and support individual choice and maximum independence, respecting service users beliefs and ensuring privacy & dignity.
To be familiar with medication and the possible side effects when planning /designing exercise therapy sessions.
To plan and deliver a range of clinical exercise and sports interventions, taking into account the differing abilities of service users on the ward and in community settings.
To lead gym sessions, exercise sessions and coaching / sports sessions with individuals and groups.
To maintain and audit fitness equipment to a satisfactory level, ensuring regular maintenance where required, in line with Trust health & safety standards.
To continually review and evaluate service users progress, treatment plans and risk assessments as the service users condition changes, making suitable alterations to their exercise programmes.
To assess risk and manage it effectively within clinical settings, ensuring a safe environment in which to exercise.
To be able to manage challenging behaviour and set clear boundaries within a sport/exercise setting.
To educate service users on Healthy Lifestyle regular exercise, healthy eating, weight management, smoking cessation.
To be able to successfully organise & manage a caseload.
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
* L1 Sports Coaching Award or coaching experience and a willingness to work towards this qualification
* Level 3/4 CIMSPA registration number Must be provided
* ACSM/NCHPAD Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer
* Degree in Sports Science or equivalent sports related degree
* Level 4 Certificates in Exercise & Mental Health
Experience
* Experience of working as a gym instructor, with groups and individuals, screening, assessing and designing exercise programmes
* Experience of coaching/leading sports activities with service users of differing abilities
* Experience of assessing and advising on healthy lifestyle issues
* Ability to teach a variety of sports (swimming, football, badminton, volleyball, basketball etc)
* Experience of working with service users with physical and mental health conditions
Knowledge and Skills
* Ability to work under pressure
* Effective team worker
* Ability to lead healthy lifestyle groups
* An understanding of working with people with mental health needs
* An understanding of commonly encountered mental health conditions
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.
South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust
Unless expressly stated in the job advert the role is not subject to sponsorship, please be advised that all offers of employment are subject to evidence of right to work in the UK
£33,094 to £36,195 a yearpro rata per annum inclusive of inner London HCAS
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