Job overview
As a Safeguarding Nurse Specialist the post holder will work within Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust supporting the Lead Adult Safeguarding Nurse to ensure that comprehensive and robust arrangements are in place for vulnerable adults and to support staff in meeting their legal obligations in relation to the Care Act and Mental capacity Act.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will:
Be an integral member of the adult safeguarding team working in a complex multi- disciplinary acute hospital environment.
Work across departments within the trust to provide advice, training and support for all staff working within the trust on issues relating to the Protection of Vulnerable Adults, Mental Capacity and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
Participate in the development of Patient Protection Plans, to ensure that any individual where there have been previous Safeguarding concerns, are safeguarded against further harm when they are in the care of the acute hospital
Work under the supervision of the Trust Lead for Safeguarding Adults.
Contribute to the development of effective inter-disciplinary and inter-agency relationships to improve outcomes for vulnerable adults.
Complete or contribute to safeguarding section 42 enquiries and provider led enquiries with senior oversight.
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.
Our Values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Participate in Safeguarding Adult Investigations with partnership agencies.
Maintain appropriate records in line with Adult Safeguarding policies
Work as a member of the Hospital Adult Safeguarding Team providing professional nursing advice and support regarding Adult Safeguarding practice to health professionals employed by Bedford Hospital NHS Trust
Work in collaboration with multi-agency partners developing effective working relationships and sound communications systems attending the Hospital Safeguarding Board meetings and subgroups as required to represent Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust.
Work in collaboration with the police in investigations where the allegations may constitute a criminal offence under Joint Protocols.
Provide advice and guidance in complex cases at strategy meetings/case conferences. This includes contributing towards risk assessment and multi-agency protection plans for complex cases or where appropriate.
Contribute appropriately to case management reviews, complaints and the investigation of Serious Incidents.
Support the shared learning and promote the implementation of any changes required following a Safeguarding Adult Investigation
Contribute to the development and promote the implementation, of local, regional and national strategic directions in Adult Safeguarding within the trust.
Support Safeguarding Champions within both clinical and non-clinical areas to develop their role and their practice within their area of work.
Review and refresh Safeguarding Resource Files online.
Participate in the Trust’s Safeguarding Boards and sub groups as required.
Contribute to team meetings and safeguarding forums to promote Adult Safeguarding.
Work collaboratively with other key professionals across the Trust and other key stakeholders to share best practice and enhance the quality of care.
Attend Operational/Quality Meetings as required to give feedback and accept referrals for review and support.
Maintain weekly Safeguarding Tracker in conjunction with the Adult Safeguarding Lead Nurse
Support in the recording of data and report on numbers and trends of safeguarding concerns within Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust and report on these as required.
Support and lead annual audits and completion of action plans.
Support with the administration of safeguarding information and maintaining the database etc.
Represent the Trust at multi-agency meetings including strategy, planning, case conference meetings etc., alongside external VARAC, MARAC etc. forums.
Education, training and development
Promote and contribute to adult safeguarding at all training levels and with all staff groups.
Ensure the development, implementation and monitoring of a robust training programme for all staff groups.
Disseminate the learning from all alerts, cases, strategy meetings, serious concerns and safeguarding adult reviews and assist in the development of actions and implementation of recommendations for the Trust through key quality and governance meetings.
Identify own learning and development needs in line with recognised best practice
Ensure that the Adult Safeguarding Lead, Head of Safeguarding, Executive Chief Nurse/Director of Nursing and/or Medical Director are updated and kept informed about potential problems and options in a timely fashion.
Take appropriate action to ensure that decisions and recommendations of individual cases are followed through.
Support the development and implementation of internal written policies and procedures and review at regular intervals and in relation to any new guidance.
Undertake reports as appropriate for internal/ external purposes.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Achieved grade / Years experience
Desirable criteria
2. Achieved grade / Years experience
Experience
Essential criteria
3. Achieved grade / Years experience
Desirable criteria
4. Achieved grade / Years experience
Skills
Essential criteria
5. Achieved grade / Years experience
Desirable criteria
6. Achieved grade / Years experience
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.