Assistant Director of Safeguarding

NHS; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 89,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading public health organization as the Assistant Director of National Safeguarding Service. This pivotal role involves implementing key strategies for safeguarding services, driving quality improvement, and leading a dedicated team to enhance health outcomes in Wales.

Qualifications

• Registered practitioner in Health or Social Care.
• Significant senior operational management experience across healthcare sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the NSS to support the NHS in embedding a culture of learning.
• Ensure NSS delivers safeguarding improvement programmes.

Skills

Leadership

Decision-making

Strategic Planning

Quality Improvement

Safeguarding Knowledge

Education

Masters degree

Specialist safeguarding qualification

Job description

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for an exceptional leader to join us as our Assistant Director of National Safeguarding Service (NSS) in Public Health Wales.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join us at a pivotal time with the recent approval of our new long Term Strategy to 2035, working together for a Healthier Wales. In joining us, you will be a key leader in its implementation and at a time when we are accelerating our work with our people across the organisation in relation to our culture, quality, engagement and impact.

Candidates must be a registered practitioner in the field of Health or Social Care with the NMC, HCPC or other relevant regulatory body or specialist GMC registration and licensed to practise.

Main duties of the job

This exciting and pivotal senior leadership position has overall responsibility for leading and managing the NSS to support the NHS in demonstrably embedding a culture of learning, quality improvement and innovation in safeguarding services.

The Assistant Director will ensure that the NSS delivers a step change in the design, development and implementation of safeguarding improvement programmes, using strong quality improvement and programme management. This will include adoption of evidence-based improvement interventions and 'A Healthier Wales' Quadruple Aim and focused outcomes in line with NHS Wales Quality and Safety Framework.

About us

Public Health Wales is the National Public Health Institute in Wales. Our vision is 'Working to achieve a healthier future for Wales'. We play a pivotal role in driving improvements in population health and well-being, reducing health inequalities, improving healthcare outcomes, protecting the public and supporting the development of health in all policies across Wales.

Never more has public health been so important as we come through the Coronavirus pandemic, face the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis and tackle and prevent the harmful effects of climate change. We are an organisation that places ourselves at the heart of supporting people, communities, partners, and the Welsh Government in addressing these major challenges and providing solutions for action.

Our organisation is guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and from those wishing to work part time or on a job share basis.

To find out more about working for us and the benefits we offer please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/careers/

For guidance on the application process, please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/working-for-us/applicant-information-and-guidance/

Details Date posted

16 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£89,491 to £103,203 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

028-AC121-0525

Job locations

Capital Quarter 2

Tyndall Street

Cardiff

CF10 4BZ

Job description Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Job description Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Person Specification Education, Qualifications & Training Essential

• Educated to Masters degree level or equivalent experience
• Specialist safeguarding qualification or demonstrable equivalent experience
• Current Professional Registration e.g. NMC
• Evidence of post qualifying and continuous professional development

Experience Essential

• Senior Professional Management e.g. nursing experience within the NHS
• Highly specialised and in-depth professional safeguarding knowledge and experience from a range of clinical services
• Significant senior operational management experience across healthcare sectors
• Able to demonstrate effective leadership style, able to build confidence and motivate staff including the ability to encourage self-initiative, good practice and completion of projects in the team
• Experience of developing and implementing Governance frameworks to support service delivery and service change
• Have budgetary monitoring, personal and performance management experience
• Expert experience of Regional Safeguarding Boards & MA working

Desirable

• Experience of audit and research
• Experience at working at Assistant Director level within the NHS

Skills, Abilities & Knowledge Essential

• Advanced decision-making skills
• Ability to think, plan and deliver strategically
• Ability to produce specialised reports on all related work areas for use at Board level within the organization, and for submission to external organisations
• Ability to influence, motivate and lead teams of staff in an open and transparent management style
• Clear understanding and working knowledge of safeguarding legislation, clinical governance, quality improvement and evidence-based practice, And SSWB Act, Children Act 1989 and 2004, VAWDASV, WFG Act
• Clear understanding and working safeguarding knowledge of relevant literature, research and legislation relating to quality and safety of patient care
• Clear understanding and knowledge of multi agency national direction/initiatives e.g. Welsh Government, Healthcare Inspectorate Wales and UK wide safeguarding practice
• Extensive and highly specialist knowledge and understanding of Children's Rights, Human Rights and patient experience.
• Track record of success in the management of significant changes and innovation with demonstrable results.

Desirable

• Ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this role

Personal Qualities Essential

• Innovative and Creative
• Able to manage self and others during tension or conflict

Person Specification Education, Qualifications & Training Essential

• Educated to Masters degree level or equivalent experience
• Specialist safeguarding qualification or demonstrable equivalent experience
• Current Professional Registration e.g. NMC
• Evidence of post qualifying and continuous professional development

Experience Essential

• Senior Professional Management e.g. nursing experience within the NHS
• Highly specialised and in-depth professional safeguarding knowledge and experience from a range of clinical services
• Significant senior operational management experience across healthcare sectors
• Able to demonstrate effective leadership style, able to build confidence and motivate staff including the ability to encourage self-initiative, good practice and completion of projects in the team
• Experience of developing and implementing Governance frameworks to support service delivery and service change
• Have budgetary monitoring, personal and performance management experience
• Expert experience of Regional Safeguarding Boards & MA working

Desirable

• Experience of audit and research
• Experience at working at Assistant Director level within the NHS

Skills, Abilities & Knowledge Essential

• Advanced decision-making skills
• Ability to think, plan and deliver strategically
• Ability to produce specialised reports on all related work areas for use at Board level within the organization, and for submission to external organisations
• Ability to influence, motivate and lead teams of staff in an open and transparent management style
• Clear understanding and working knowledge of safeguarding legislation, clinical governance, quality improvement and evidence-based practice, And SSWB Act, Children Act 1989 and 2004, VAWDASV, WFG Act
• Clear understanding and working safeguarding knowledge of relevant literature, research and legislation relating to quality and safety of patient care
• Clear understanding and knowledge of multi agency national direction/initiatives e.g. Welsh Government, Healthcare Inspectorate Wales and UK wide safeguarding practice
• Extensive and highly specialist knowledge and understanding of Children's Rights, Human Rights and patient experience.
• Track record of success in the management of significant changes and innovation with demonstrable results.

Desirable

• Ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this role

Personal Qualities Essential

• Innovative and Creative
• Able to manage self and others during tension or conflict

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

Public Health Wales

Address

Capital Quarter 2

Tyndall Street

Cardiff

CF10 4BZ

Employer's website

https://phw.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Public Health Wales

Address

Capital Quarter 2

Tyndall Street

Cardiff

CF10 4BZ

Employer's website

https://phw.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)