Job summary
This is a physical fitness practitioner (PFP) role that involves working in a medium secure and low secure forensic mental health ward, across two different sites - Marlborough House, Milton Keynes and Woodlands House, Aylesbury. The post holder will be supported by the Lead PFP and Clinical Occupational Therapy Lead across the sites.

The ability to travel independently between sites within the Trust is essential for this role.

Main duties of the job

• To plan, develop and provide health and fitness services in group settings or with individual patients
• To provide a programme of therapeutic activities appropriate to patients need within the service and establish service guidelines.
• To support patients to make links with community fitness intervention opportunities.
• Work with a defined caseload of patients to assess their physical fitness needs and strengths.
• Provide evidence-based 1:1 and group intervention to improve physical fitness.
• Use risk assessment tools to safely engage patients in relevant training programmes.
• Use appropriate outcome measures to understand the effectiveness of interventions and adapt interventions as necessary

About us
Please note that this role will require us to undertake a DBS check as a part of your onboarding.

Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the "candidate guide to making an application" and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.

As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent"

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

• Opportunities for career progression
• Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
• NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
• Competitive pension scheme
• Lease car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Details

• Date posted: 15 October 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 4
• Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year per annum
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 267-FS8350602
• Job location: Marlborough House, Standing Way, Milton Keynes University Hospital, Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

• Receive and handle confidential information relating to patients mental health, offending history, safeguarding concerns and risk assessments.
• Work with patients who have committed serious offences or who present a significant harm to themselves and others.
• Work with patients to identify community-based opportunities to support physical health and fitness.
• Work alongside other members of the MDT to provide interventions to improve mental and physical health, making referrals when required, attending relevant clinical meetings to discuss goals and progress.
• Record relevant care plans and clinical information on the patients electronic health record.
• Support ward projects, bringing expertise around physical health and fitness.
• Contribute to educating patients in healthy lifestyle choices and smoke cessation.

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.

This role does not meet the minimum requirements for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under UKVI regulations. To be considered, you must already hold the valid right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship.

Person Specification
Qualifications

• Essential: Level 2 gym instructor qualification or equivalent
• Desirable: Qualifications in relevant fitness skills, including CIMSPA membership

Experience

• Essential: Experience of working with people with obesity and a range of physical health problems or other specialist groups.
• Essential: Experience in developing training programmes for individuals
• Essential: Experience working with people with mental health needs.
• Desirable: Experience of delivering health living, smoking cessation and dietary advice/support.
• Desirable: Experience working with people with learning disabilities.

Personal qualities

• Essential: Positive attitude to people with mental health issues
• Essential: Good interpersonal skills

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.

Employer details
Employer name: Oxford Health NHS Trust
Employer's website: https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk

Contact for questions about the job
Lead Occupational Therapist, Megan Howes, megan.howes@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk, 01865901146