Job title Active Leeds Development Officer (Falls and Frailty)
Salary PO1 £37,035 - £39,513
Hours 37 Hours (Full Time)
Contract Temporary until 31st March 2026
Location City wide based at John Charles Centre for Sport
As an Active Leeds Development Officer (Falls and Frailty), you’ll thrive on developing and supporting older people across Leeds to move more. Working closely with Adults and Health Services, you and your team will focus on delivering the Falls Prevention Programme that is an important intervention in delivering the vision for Active Leeds, “Leeds to be the best city in the UK to be active in.”
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
As the Active Leeds Development Officer (Falls and Frailty), you will bring to the role:
- Hold a relevant qualification in physical activity, sport or health.
- Ability to collaborate across several stakeholders and create positive partnerships.
- An understanding of long-term health conditions and the impact of frailty in older populations.
- Experience of developing health programmes for older people with the aim to increase physical activity, to support self-management and help prevent social isolation.
- Ability to work with complex information from various sources to effectively monitor programmes and support with their evaluations.
About the role
This exciting and challenging role requires the ability to collaborate with a wide range of partners and understand how to put theory into practice. You will be working in communities across Leeds supporting older people and partners working in those communities to increase their skills and knowledge of the benefits of moving more, especially the need to maintain strength and balance as we age. This role is integral to the Active Leeds, Health Programmes Team and you will be involved in supporting and developing a range of physical activity and exercise interventions funded by the NHS.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
- a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form. Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Martin Lee, Health Programme Manager. Call 07891278690 or email martin.lee@leeds.gov.uk
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, candidates must consider their own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the 'standard' salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. For more information visit Skilled Worker visa on the government website. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Description
Job Purpose
Working as part of a citywide team you will contribute towards the City’s ambition of making Leeds the most active big city, ensuring links to relevant local, national and key partner strategies, plans and priorities. The role will focus on areas of deprivation and need where health inequalities are greatest and on population groups that are less active e.g. girls and women, lower socio-economic groups, BEM, people with a disability and older people.
Partnership working is an essential part of the role. Working across communities and local stakeholder to ensure access to physical activity and provide sustainable models of delivery using asset-based community development.
The role will use relevant insight and intelligence to provide a clear evidence base for programmes of work and understand behaviour change models and their application. This includes providing evidence of the increases in participation and how being active / engagement in sport can contribute to wider outcomes such health, economic and social benefits.
Responsibilities
- To develop strong and effective working relationships with key stakeholders, partners and other relevant organisations to develop opportunities to increase levels of activity
- To work collaboratively with relevant partners around joint planning / shared objectives; facilitating and coordinating others to engage with the inactive
- To use relevant local and national research, insight and knowledge to develop successful interventions / programmes of work
- To embed models of behaviour, change in any interventions / programmes of work
- To produce, deliver and evaluate a measurable annual work programme utilising relevant Management Information Systems
- To establish effective communication mechanisms with relevant stakeholders, partners and community organisations
- To adopt a community development approach supporting key partners, organisations and groups to develop sustainable models of delivery within local communities
- To work with elected members, service users and community representatives in ways which support open, inclusive, responsive and accountable government.
- Working as a team for Leeds by developing and maintaining good working relationships with internal and external customers, other stakeholders and partners to achieve excellent outcomes for the citizens of Leeds.
- To be accountable for the safety of staff, service users and contractors in accordance with Legislation and the Council Health and Safety Policy.
- To provide appropriate information relating to the work of the Service to Members and council officers so as to manage risk and support them in their respective roles.
- To be actively involved in effectively preparing and managing budgets and take responsibility where appropriate for assigned budgets.
- As an officer in the Council to work flexibly as required to meet Directorate and Corporate priorities
- To deputise as appropriate and contribute to the development of the service.
- To undertake any other duties which may be assigned from time to time and that are commensurate with the grade of the post.
- To undertake the accountabilities of the post in accordance with council policies including the Safeguarding of Young People and Vulnerable Adults, Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety policies.
Qualifications
Essential
Educated to degree level or equivalent professional qualifications.
Desirable
Holds CIMSPA endorsed fitness qualifications at Level 3 and be able to deliver group activities and one to one support.
Ability to gain a Level 4 Postural Stability qualification within the first 6 months of employment.
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
- Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of organisations.
- Able to work to tight budgets
- Ability to organise, promote and market activities
- Ability to work at a strategic level
- Able to demonstrate excellent organisational skills
- Able to meet tight deadlines for complex projects
- Able to work as part of a team and on your own initiative including identifying needs and resolving problems with practical solutions
- Able to produce and implement development plans and work programmes
- Able to prepare and present reports
- Knowledge (extensive) of inactivity, recreational and sport development work
- Knowledge (extensive) of relevant local and national strategies, priorities and associated development initiatives
- Knowledge of local, regional and national health, recreational and sports organisations
- Knowledge of developing programmes within a community setting
- Knowledge of funding initiatives relative to physical activity, active recreation and sport
- Knowledge of the benefits of being physically active
- Understanding of issues preventing regular participation within communities
- Knowledge of IT software applications
- Experience of working in health, recreational or sport development or an associated area
- Experience of working at a strategic level
- Experience of liaison with public, private and voluntary agencies
- Experience of marketing and promotion
- Experience of tutoring on education courses
- Experience of working with disadvantaged communities and those underrepresented in sport and physical activity.
- Mature and confident disposition
- Must be able and willing to work unsociable hours including evenings and weekends
Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
- Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
- Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
- Able to conduct research programmes and capture and interpret detailed monitoring and evaluation data
- Understanding of behaviour change models and their application
- Experience of securing external funding project management
- Experience of leading and managing projects
- Experience of developing innovative partnerships with regional and local bodies
- Experience of embedding community programmes based on identified need and models of change
- Experience of managing and motivating staff
- Experience of event organisation
- Current full driving licence or ability to travel around Leeds effectively
