Serco Plc
Fitness Instructor
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Location: Yarl’s Wood Immigration Centre, MK44 2FQ
Schedule: Full-time, permanent, variety of shift patterns
Salary: £31,000 per annum, rising to £32,000 upon successful completion of the 6-month probationary period and £35,000 upon 2 years of service.
Turn your passion for fitness into something that makes a difference.
As a Physical Education Instructor at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Centre, you’ll use sport, fitness and physical activity to support the health, wellbeing and engagement of the people in our care.
You’ll plan and deliver activities, encourage participation and help create opportunities for people of different abilities and backgrounds to get involved, build confidence and improve their wellbeing. As part of this specialist role, you’ll also be fully trained and badged as a Detention Custody Officer (DCO). This means that alongside your PEI responsibilities, you’ll play an important part in maintaining the safety, security and day-to-day operation of the centre.
What you’ll do as a Physical Education Instructor
Your main focus will be creating a positive, safe and engaging programme of physical activity for residents. You’ll:
- Plan and deliver structured fitness, sport and recreational activities.
- Encourage residents of different abilities and fitness levels to participate.
- Promote physical and mental wellbeing through activity.
- Organise sporting activities, events and competitions.
- Build positive and professional relationships with residents.
- Create an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable getting involved.
- Maintain safe working practices within the gym and activity areas.
- Work alongside colleagues across the centre to support wider wellbeing and engagement activities.
As a trained and badged DCO, you’ll also support the wider operation of the centre when required. This will include maintaining safety and security, supporting residents, responding to incidents and de-escalating challenging situations calmly and professionally.
Does this sound like you?
You’ll need to hold an NVQ Level 2 Fitness Instructor qualification or equivalent, with a genuine passion for fitness, wellbeing and helping others get involved and succeed. We’re looking for someone who is:
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- Confident leading and motivating individuals and groups.
- Comfortable working with people with different levels of fitness and ability.
- Calm and resilient under pressure.
- A strong communicator who can build rapport with a wide range of people.
- Able to listen without judgement and treat people with dignity and respect.
- Confident managing difficult or challenging situations professionally.
- Respectful of people from different cultures, backgrounds and experiences.
- A strong team player who can support the wider centre operation.
- Comfortable using basic IT systems, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
Experience of working in a people-focused environment and a commitment to delivering excellent service are also important.
What shifts look like
- 40 hours per week on average.
- Day and night shifts, typically between 6 and 12 hours.
- Fair, structured rota.
- Paid breaks on night shifts.
As this is a badged DCO position, you’ll need to be able to work the required operational shift pattern and complete the full initial DCO training programme.
What we offer
Training and development:
- 9-week fully paid training programme.
- Training in detention custody, conflict resolution, communication and cultural awareness.
- Support and development within your specialist PEI responsibilities.
- Clear pathways into leadership and other specialist roles.
Benefits:
- 224 hours annual leave, including bank holidays.
- Pension contributions matched up to 6%.
- Free on-site parking.
- Subsidised meals plus one free meal per day.
- Full uniform provided.
- Employee discounts and Blue Light Card.
- Career development opportunities across Serco.
Application process
- Online application.
- 1-hour virtual interview via Microsoft Teams.
- Assessment Day including group tasks, fitness test and site tour.
- Pre-employment checks and vetting.
- 7-week training programme – full attendance is required.
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Vetting and checks:
Due to the nature of this role, there are some important eligibility requirements. You must already have the right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this role. The role typically requires:
- Indefinite leave to remain.
- At least 3 years living in the UK.
- Home Office Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) clearance.
- Enhanced DBS checks, including Adult and Child Barred List checks.
- 5 years of checkable employment and address history.
Make fitness mean more.
Use your skills to encourage participation, build confidence and support wellbeing, while playing an important role in the safe and secure operation of Yarl’s Wood Immigration Centre.
A little bit about us:
At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.
Our inclusive recruitment commitment:
We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, a top Great British Employer of Veterans, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).
For support with your application, please contact j&icareersUK@serco.com.
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