Job overview
Are you an experienced safeguarding leader looking to make a real impact across adult and children’s services? Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is seeking a dynamic, highly skilled Head of Safeguarding to provide visible leadership, expert guidance, assurance across acute and community settings.
In this pivotal role, you will:
Lead safeguarding strategy; safe delivery across the Trust, effective and person-centred services;
In partnership with local and regional agencies to protect people across Buckinghamshire;
Provide leadership on the implementation of theMental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, and pathways for patients with mental health needs;
Oversee safeguarding governance, compliance, education, and continuous improvement; Work with colleagues in midwifery to provide safeguarding;
Represent the Trust in multi-agency forums, driving collaboration and innovation in safeguarding practice;
Provide expert advice, supervision; support to colleagues across all professional groups;
Looking for an inspirational safeguarding professional with:
·Significant leadership experience in adult and children’s safeguarding across health or social care.
·In-depth knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policy, and best practice.
·The ability to work collaboratively with system partners and provide assurance at Board level.
·A passion for embedding a ‘Think Family’ and ‘Making Safeguarding Personal’ approach.
Main duties of the job
As Head of Safeguarding, you will provide visible leadership and expert guidance across adult and children’s services in both acute and community settings, including matrix working with midwifery services. Ensuring the Trust meets its statutory safeguarding responsibilities, working in partnership with local and regional agencies to protect people across Buckinghamshire. Includes leading the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, and developing pathways for patients with mental health needs affecting self-protection. You will drive education, governance, and continuous improvement, providing assurance to senior leaders and external partners that safeguarding arrangements are safe, effective, and person-centred.
Working for our organisation
Listen to why colleagues think we are a great place to work! -
What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?
1. As part of our BHT family, you’ll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
2. We offer flexible and agile working opportunities, alongside your NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement, pension and access to NHS discount schemes.
3. We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.
Why work for us?
4. We’re committed to promoting inclusion and making sure all colleagues feel they belong. We encourage new colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply.
5. As an employer, we aim to create a workplace where differences are valued, and colleagues treat one another with dignity and respect.
6. Greater diversity within our BHT family improves positive outcomes for the people and communities we serve.
What do we stand for?
7. Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
8. Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
9. Our CARE values are collaborate, aspire, respect and enable.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
10. Extensive experience in safeguarding within healthcare or social care setting
11. Experience of leading across disciplines within healthcare and partner organisations
12. Evidence of successful working and influence across organisational boundaries
13. Experience in a leadership role, managing teams and safeguarding functions
14. Experience of working across both adult and children’s safeguarding
15. Experience in policy development, implementation and monitoring
16. Experience of inter-agency working and representing an organisation at external safeguarding forums
17. Experience in delivering safeguarding training and education
18. Involvement in safeguarding audits, governance and compliance processes
19. Experience in leading complex safeguarding investigations
Education, Qualifications & Training
Essential criteria
20. Registered Nurse (RN) or equivalent Registered professional qualification (e.g. Social Work, Allied Health Professional)
21. Educated to either master’s level or Doctorate or equivalent post graduate research / education in safeguarding
22. Evidence of continued professional development in safeguarding, leadership and management
23. Recognised qualification in safeguarding (Level 4 or above) or equivalent
24. Leadership and management training or equivalent experience
25. Education in Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
Skills, Abilities & Knowledge
Essential criteria
26. Highly motivated and able to work autonomously
27. Ability to influence across organisational boundaries leading strategically to safeguard the population
28. Committed to upholding safeguarding values and promoting a culture of continuous improvement
29. Empathetic and compassionate approach to safeguarding vulnerable individuals
30. Resilient, able to work under pressure, and manage competing priorities
31. Demonstrates a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
32. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Special Circumstances
Essential criteria
33. Ability to travel across multiple sites within the Trust
34. Commitment to ongoing professional development
35. Willingness to undertake further safeguarding training and qualifications as a part of ongoing development
36. Flexibility in working hours, including attending meetings and training as needed
PPE requirements: Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust requires all colleagues to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with our infection prevention and control procedures.
COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations remain the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the viruses when working in our healthcare settings. We encourage our staff to be vaccinated when recommended.
Application deadline: This post will close on the closing date stated at midnight, however if we receive a large number of applications or there is a change in circumstance, we may be required to close a job before the advertised date.
Application information: If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records (ESR) system.
Shortlisting: The monitoring and safeguarding sections are not made visible to the shortlisting panel. The safeguarding section may be made visible to the interview panel, dependent on the role being recruited into.
Travel expenses: It is Trust policy that travel expenses for interviews will not be reimbursed.
Smoking: All Trust sites are NO SMOKING. Smoking in all areas of the buildings and premises is prohibited.
Employer certification / accreditation badges