We expect everyone that works for the Health Board, regardless of their role, to share and uphold our values in all that they do:
Job overview
The Health Board is seeking to appoint a Guardian of Safe and Flexible Working (GOSFW) to provide independent assurance that safe working hours and rest requirements for doctors and dentists in training are upheld in line with the 2026 Terms and Conditions of Service.
A senior clinician, operating independently of line management structures, with the confidence of doctors in training and the authority to influence organisational decision‑making. Working closely with medical education, workforce, service leaders, LNC and resident doctor forums, the role is vital in protecting patient safety, staff wellbeing and training quality across the Health Board.
Post is open to clinicians with appropriate experience and credibility operating independently of local line management structures and able to command the confidence of doctors and dentists in training and work constructively with medical education, workforce and service leaders.
Role is on a secondment or fixed‑term basis for 3 years, subject to annual review. Applicants must have the support of their current line manager prior to application.
The guardian is a senior person, who is independent of the management structure within the organisation in which the resident doctor is hosted/being trained. The guardian is responsible for protecting the safeguards outlined in the 2026 TCS for doctors and dentists in training. The guardian will ensure that issues of compliance with safe working hours are addressed, as they arise, with the doctor and host organisation, as appropriate; and will provide assurance to the host organisation and the employers Lead Guardian (NWSSP- SLE team) that doctors' working hours are safe and in line with the contract.
Main duties of the job
The guardian will:
Act as the champion of safe working hours for doctors in approved training programmes and ensure that action is taken to ensure that the working hours within the trust are safe.
Provide assurance to the host organisation and the employer (NWSSP) that resident doctors are safely rostered and are working hours that are safe and in compliance with the TCS.
Provide assurance that less than full time resident doctors rotas are appropriate for safety and training purposes.
Record and monitor compliance with the restrictions on working hours stipulated in the TCS, through receipt and review of all exception reports in respect of safe working hours.
Ensure that any exception reports in respect of safe working hours are sent to the relevant rota coordinator, Medical HR (where available) and local management teams for remedial action and for identification of whether TOIL or payment is due for any additional hours.
Ensure that exception reports regarding access to training, as set out in the work schedule, are sent to the doctor’s educational supervisor and that regular reports are sent to the AMD for Medical Education.
Receive and review responses/actions from rota co-ordinators and local management teams
Work in collaboration with the AMD for Medical Education and the LNC to ensure that the identified issues within exception reports, concerning both working hours and training hours, are properly addressed by the host organisation.
Working for our organisation
We believe staff are our best asset and we want you to be happy and confident about starting your career here in Swansea Bay University Health Board.
As one of the biggest healthcare groups in the UK we can offer a wealth of professional training and development opportunities in an innovative, forward-thinking organisation.
You might be a nurse or doctor, maybe you specialise in a health science/therapy or can offer skills in one of our support services - we have a job for you.
There are also apprenticeships, work placements and volunteering roles available.
We are an inclusive employer and welcome applications from everyone whatever their sex; religion or belief; race; age; sexual orientation; gender identity or, whether they are pregnant or have recently been on maternity leave, married or are in a civil partnership; or, whether they are disabled.
Our values - Caring For Each Other, Working Together and Always Improving, show that our commitment to equality is at the heart of everything we do.
If you want excellent career and training opportunities while living on the doorstep of some of Europe's most spectacular scenery, with all the benefits of a thriving and cosmopolitan city - look no further.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For more details in relation to this post, please click on the supporting documents section to find the full job description and person specification. These are available bilingually, in both English and Welsh.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
Knowledge
Essential criteria
Experience
Essential criteria
Desirable criteria
Swansea Bay University Health Board is committed to supporting its staff and processes to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing service users experience. In our commitment to increase the number of staff able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we would particularly welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
Equality remains at the centre of the Health Boards policy-making, service delivery and employment practices. We value the diversity of our staff and welcome applications from people from protected groups under the Equality Act 2010, this specifically includes age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/reassignment, race, religion, disability, pregnancy and maternity and marriage and civil partnership.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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.
Welsh language skills are desirable