Supporting Health Weight Advisor

We are currently recruiting for a Supporting Health Weight Advisor To support the development, implementation, recruitment and running of healthy weight initiatives, including individual and group programmes, as part of a multi-disciplinary team. On a day-to-day basis this would include liaising with families and other professionals, preparing paperwork, inputting data, managing databases, producing promotional and delivery materials and delivering theory and physical activity sessions.

The post will have specific responsibility for delivering the healthy eating and wellbeing element for the child and family weight management programmes and co-delivering the family theory sessions with other Tri Team members. You will work autonomously in different locations throughout Medway.

Please note this role will include up to three evenings and occasional weekends based on programming and activities. Advance notice will be provided.

Advisors will be expected to complete basic health and well-being measurements and assessments pre and post interventions, and act on any concerns in regard to these measurements. They will also agree SMART goals during the group sessions. Recognition of the issues common to the referred clients is important to establish a good relationship. Group facilitation skills as well as excellent engagement, observational and verbal communication skills will also be required.

Children referred may have both physical and emotional issues related to overweight and Obesity. This will require a high level of awareness and sensitivity, when making lifestyle recommendations to individuals and their families. The acknowledgement of barriers must be addressed in order to effectively influence their behaviour change. As weight and lifestyle choices will be a primary goal of those engaging with the programme, complex issues such as self-esteem and self-confidence, in addition to safeguarding awareness and ability to act on any concerns are important requirements for this post.

In return we offer you:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Generous local government pension scheme package
• Access to wider training and development qualifications
• Flexible working scheme
• Travel plan discounts
• Car Benefit Scheme from Tusker
• Access to CAREFIRST advice & counselling service
• Employee discount scheme for national and local retailers
• The Government has introduced new ways of supporting parents with childcare costs. Further details are available here: - https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

We're committed to making Medway carbon neutral by 2050. We have developed an action plan to ensure we play our part in addressing the climate emergency.  Our declaration fits into our Council Plan priority of making Medway a place to be proud of. The main outcome being a 'clean and green environment'. All Medway Council staff can access an additional day’s paid leave to undertake a volunteering activity which supports climate change. 

Our organisation:

Medway is a unitary authority in the South East of England, made up of the towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham and more rural areas, including the Hoo Peninsula.

Situated in Kent in the South-East of England, the area has plenty of green spaces, excellent facilities and easy access to the national motorway and rail networks, facilitating superb transport links to London.

We provide all local Government services for a quarter of a million people, looking after education, environment, social care, housing, planning, business and much more - everything from frontline services such as rubbish collection and events like the Dickens Festival to work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure services in Medway run smoothly and cost effectively.

Working at Medway Council means that you get to be part of this journey working alongside talented, professional colleagues to drive forward change to transform the lives of our residents and the communities they live in.

If you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting manager, please e-mail Shola Oshiga on shola.oshiga@medway.gov.uk

Important Information-

Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile

Equal Opportunities Commitment Statement

Medway Council is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All appropriately qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, marital status, family commitments, sexual orientation, age, HIV status, religious or political beliefs, social class or trade union activity or irrelevant spent conviction.

For further information please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.

Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted.  All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.

Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.