Health Coach – Child Healthy Weight Team - INTERNAL ONLY

NHS Scotland NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Note that this post is only open to internal staff of NHS Ayrshire & Arran.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran are one of 14 territorial NHS Boards within NHS Scotland. In support of our core purpose of Working together to achieve the healthiest life possible for everyone in Ayrshire and Arran, we are committed to a culture that is Caring, Safe, and Respectful
. You will be required to work collaboratively in a safe, caring and respectful way. To find out more about NHS Ayrshire and Arran please visit our website – NHS Ayrshire & Arran – Home ().

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An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Health Coach - Child Healthy Weight Team based at Ailsa Hospital
. This post is offered on a permanent basis.

36 hours per week, with some evening work required on occasion. Job share will be considered for this post.

From 1 April 2026, the working week for NHS Agenda for Change staff in Scotland will be reduced. Full-time hours will reduce from 37 to 36 hours (pro rata for part-time staff) without loss of earnings.

A UK driving licence is essential for this role.

The postholder is responsible for delivering child healthy weight programmes to groups of children and parents. Programmes include activities on physical activities for health, food for good health, changing behaviour, and are run during and after school hours in community settings.

• To deliver on objectives, set in conjunction with Health Improvement Officer relating to delivery of the Child Healthy Weight programmes.
• To lead in the delivery of CHW – Jumpstart programmes to groups of families.
• This will include collection and delivery of resources, collation of health packs, delivering the sessions and gathering simple data about attendance.
• Leading discussions, group work and activities in nutrition and active living and supporting families to use health support packs.
• To plan the programme for each session and to amend as appropriate to the group they are working with
• To assist in the ongoing development of Jumpstart programmes for groups of children, young people and where appropriate a parent or carer, (max 12 families at a time) who meet the Scottish Government criteria for overweight or obesity.
• To complete pre and post assessments of participants
• To use Health Behaviour Change principles to support children, young people towards positive health behaviours
• To keep accurate records of all activities carried out and to contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of the project.

• SVQ4 in a child healthy weight health related subject e.g. nutrition, physical activity or experience and competence equivalent to that qualification
• Enthusiasm, positive approach and genuine interest in health and people particularly young people
• Experience of working with groups including children
• Ability to lead groups-physical activity sessions e.g., active play and to lead discussions on nutrition
• Ability to motivate others to participate in practical sessions
• Knowledge of and interest in health issues
• Knowledge of health behaviour change processes
• Basic IT skills
• Well organised, good time management.

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