Place-Based Physical Activity Clinical Champion (PACC)

PURPOSE OF POST The Physical Activity Clinical Champion (PACC) programme is an evidence-based initiative within the Moving Medicine Programme. It provides free, specialised and progressive training to healthcare providers on integrating physical activity (PA) conversations into standard patient care. Currently this is delivered nationwide by a number of physical activity champions. Solihull has been selected as a pilot site to test a place-based approach to learning and embedding PA conversations into everyday practice. The Place-Based Physical Activity Clinical Champion (PACC) for Solihull will lead the delivery of clinician-to-clinician training for healthcare professionals. This training will focus on the role of physical activity in the prevention and management of long-term conditions, with a particular emphasis on mental health. The PACC will also support and enable healthcare professionals to embed physical activity conversations within routine practice as a key intervention for improving health outcomes. Supported by a national team, experienced mentors and strong infrastructure, this role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a Sport England project evaluating a place-based approach to a highly valued national training programme. The place-based PACC will work closely with Primary Care Networks in Solihull, Solihull Councils Public Health team, and the national PACC team. They will play a key part in growing the presence and impact of the PACC programme locally, by developing professional networks, increasing awareness of physical activity within the health system, and addressing health inequalities through strategic collaboration. CONTEXT Physical inactivity contributes significantly to the prevalence of chronic conditions and health inequalities. PACC training was initially developed as part of the Moving Healthcare Professionals Programme, run by Sport England and Public Health England (now OHID). In June 2023, a consortium consisting of The Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Sheffield, Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK and Intelligent Health began a transition phase to take over the support and running of the programme to enable a sustainable ongoing platform for the future. Solihull faces a range of health challenges. People living in the least deprived areas can expect to live 10 years longer than those living in the most deprived areas. This gap is largely driven by higher mortality rates from circulatory disease, cancer, respiratory illnesses, and other preventable or modifiable conditions, particularly among men aged 4079. Solihull also has a substantial population level need relating to overweight and obesity, inactivity, lifestyle behaviours, and lifestyle-related disease. Currently, 28.1% of adults and 33.3% of children in Solihull are physically inactive, while 55.9% of adults and 31.6% of children are overweight or obese. This equates to an estimated 112,601 residents, over half the population living with some form of lifestyle-related need. This project has been initiated by Solihull Active Minds (SAM) which is a partnership group comprising Solihull Council Public Health, Think Active, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust, and Colebridge Trust. SAM aims to bring about system change to increase opportunities and support for residents to improve their physical and mental wellbeing, through integrated mental health and physical activity pathways. SAM fosters change through co-production, collaboration, and distributive leadership, grounded in shared culture and values that model inclusive, system-wide transformation. This role operates within a partnership model. SoliHealth will be the employing organisation and will provide day-to-day management, supervision and employment support. The post holder will also work closely with the SAM group, which will provide strategic direction, system leadership and guidance to support delivery of the programme's objectives. This matrix approach will ensure the PACC is supported both operationally and strategically across the wider health and prevention system. SoliHealth is the GP Provider Alliance of all six Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in Solihull. Established in 2018 it delivers clinical services and projects across Solihull and supports at scale working of all GP practices in the locality. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Responsibility Area Key Duties Estimated % of Role Clinical Education & Leadership Deliver online or in person PACC training to NHS and community healthcare professionals across Solihull (prioritising mental health teams). Provide clinical leadership and advocacy for physical activity in the prevention and management of long-term conditions, improving the awareness, knowledge and confidence of peers. Adapt and tailor training sessions to meet the needs of different healthcare professional cohorts and settings. Ensure physical activity is seen as part of wider holistic approach to healthy active lifestyles 40% Stakeholder Engagement & Community of Practice Build partnerships with NHS Trusts, primary care networks, community health teams, local public health leads and Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System. Promote the PACC programme and training opportunities to key stakeholders and clinical networks. Develop a local online community of practice to share knowledge and support continued learning. 30% System Integration & Collaboration Work closely with partners to gain local insight, identify target areas to focus on reducing health inequalities, Co-develop communications and promotional materials where needed. Understand and integrate local pathways within the training offer, to actively encourage healthcare professionals to utilise local physical activity pathways (E.g. DocSpot and Solihull Healthy Lifestyle Service) Feedback the needs of primary care to inform the active lifestyles and prevention offer with Solihull. 10% Evaluation and Impact Support the evaluation of the programme by collecting training and delivery data, ensuring timely completion of forms for each training session. Evaluate delivery of the PACC training to demonstrate its value and effectiveness, provide data feedback to partners (including PCNs, the SAM group, and Public Health), and support the ongoing evaluation and refinement of the local PACC model based on training feedback and health outcomes. Contribute to evaluation and impact reporting, by measuring impact of training, engagement, partnership working, system integration and other factors that affect the success and impact of the project. 10% Contribution to National Programme Contribute to national PACC meetings, networks, and governance structures. Share best practices and local insights with regional and national teams to inform the scaling of the place-based model. 10% Job description Job responsibilities PURPOSE OF POST The Physical Activity Clinical Champion (PACC) programme is an evidence-based initiative within the Moving Medicine Programme. It provides free, specialised and progressive training to healthcare providers on integrating physical activity (PA) conversations into standard patient care. Currently this is delivered nationwide by a number of physical activity champions. Solihull has been selected as a pilot site to test a place-based approach to learning and embedding PA conversations into everyday practice. The Place-Based Physical Activity Clinical Champion (PACC) for Solihull will lead the delivery of clinician-to-clinician training for healthcare professionals. This training will focus on the role of physical activity in the prevention and management of long-term conditions, with a particular emphasis on mental health. The PACC will also support and enable healthcare professionals to embed physical activity conversations within routine practice as a key intervention for improving health outcomes. Supported by a national team, experienced mentors and strong infrastructure, this role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a Sport England project evaluating a place-based approach to a highly valued national training programme. The place-based PACC will work closely with Primary Care Networks in Solihull, Solihull Councils Public Health team, and the national PACC team. They will play a key part in growing the presence and impact of the PACC programme locally, by developing professional networks, increasing awareness of physical activity within the health system, and addressing health inequalities through strategic collaboration. CONTEXT Physical inactivity contributes significantly to the prevalence of chronic conditions and health inequalities. PACC training was initially developed as part of the Moving Healthcare Professionals Programme, run by Sport England and Public Health England (now OHID). In June 2023, a consortium consisting of The Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Sheffield, Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK and Intelligent Health began a transition phase to take over the support and running of the programme to enable a sustainable ongoing platform for the future. Solihull faces a range of health challenges. People living in the least deprived areas can expect to live 10 years longer than those living in the most deprived areas. This gap is largely driven by higher mortality rates from circulatory disease, cancer, respiratory illnesses, and other preventable or modifiable conditions, particularly among men aged 4079. Solihull also has a substantial population level need relating to overweight and obesity, inactivity, lifestyle behaviours, and lifestyle-related disease. Currently, 28.1% of adults and 33.3% of children in Solihull are physically inactive, while 55.9% of adults and 31.6% of children are overweight or obese. This equates to an estimated 112,601 residents, over half the population living with some form of lifestyle-related need. This project has been initiated by Solihull Active Minds (SAM) which is a partnership group comprising Solihull Council Public Health, Think Active, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust, and Colebridge Trust. SAM aims to bring about system change to increase opportunities and support for residents to improve their physical and mental wellbeing, through integrated mental health and physical activity pathways. SAM fosters change through co-production, collaboration, and distributive leadership, grounded in shared culture and values that model inclusive, system-wide transformation. This role operates within a partnership model. SoliHealth will be the employing organisation and will provide day-to-day management, supervision and employment support. The post holder will also work closely with the SAM group, which will provide strategic direction, system leadership and guidance to support delivery of the programme's objectives. This matrix approach will ensure the PACC is supported both operationally and strategically across the wider health and prevention system. SoliHealth is the GP Provider Alliance of all six Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in Solihull. Established in 2018 it delivers clinical services and projects across Solihull and supports at scale working of all GP practices in the locality. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Responsibility Area Key Duties Estimated % of Role Clinical Education & Leadership Deliver online or in person PACC training to NHS and community healthcare professionals across Solihull (prioritising mental health teams). Provide clinical leadership and advocacy for physical activity in the prevention and management of long-term conditions, improving the awareness, knowledge and confidence of peers. Adapt and tailor training sessions to meet the needs of different healthcare professional cohorts and settings. Ensure physical activity is seen as part of wider holistic approach to healthy active lifestyles 40% Stakeholder Engagement & Community of Practice Build partnerships with NHS Trusts, primary care networks, community health teams, local public health leads and Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System. Promote the PACC programme and training opportunities to key stakeholders and clinical networks. Develop a local online community of practice to share knowledge and support continued learning. 30% System Integration & Collaboration Work closely with partners to gain local insight, identify target areas to focus on reducing health inequalities, Co-develop communications and promotional materials where needed. Understand and integrate local pathways within the training offer, to actively encourage healthcare professionals to utilise local physical activity pathways (E.g. DocSpot and Solihull Healthy Lifestyle Service) Feedback the needs of primary care to inform the active lifestyles and prevention offer with Solihull. 10% Evaluation and Impact Support the evaluation of the programme by collecting training and delivery data, ensuring timely completion of forms for each training session. Evaluate delivery of the PACC training to demonstrate its value and effectiveness, provide data feedback to partners (including PCNs, the SAM group, and Public Health), and support the ongoing evaluation and refinement of the local PACC model based on training feedback and health outcomes. Contribute to evaluation and impact reporting, by measuring impact of training, engagement, partnership working, system integration and other factors that affect the success and impact of the project. 10% Contribution to National Programme Contribute to national PACC meetings, networks, and governance structures. Share best practices and local insights with regional and national teams to inform the scaling of the place-based model. 10%