Band 8B - Freedom to Speak Up Guardian | Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust; City Of London; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS trust in London seeks a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian to advocate for patient and staff safety. The role involves promoting a culture where staff feel valued for speaking up about concerns, developing strategies for better communication, and engaging with stakeholders to align with national policy. This position offers unique career opportunities and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Flexible hours

Generous benefits

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Compassionate leadership in a healthcare setting.
• Experience in supporting open and inclusive work culture.

Responsibilities

• Act as a visible advocate for patient and staff safety.
• Develop strategies to promote a speaking up culture.
• Engage with stakeholders to enhance the FTSU strategy.

Job description

Overview

The Freedom to Speak Up Guardian (FTSUG) is a key post within the Royal Free London (RFL) Group. The postholder is a visible advocate in protecting patient and staff safety and quality in all parts of the Trust. The FTSUG demonstrates compassionate leadership and improves the experience of colleagues speaking up by providing specialist advice and support, identifying and addressing any barriers to speaking up whilst promoting a positive speaking up culture.

Responsibilities

• The FTSUG will work independently, and act impartially, but will work closely with management, trade union and staff network colleagues in supporting the organisation to be an open and inclusive place to work, where staff are valued for speaking up and colleagues can identify meaningful action is taken on the concerns raised.
• Use effective channels to continually raise the profile of the speaking up service and FTSUG.
• Use effective channels to recruit teams of local champions across the RFL group.
• Take action that ensures that freedom to speak up messages reaches groups that may face particular barriers to speaking up.
• The role will work with colleagues to develop, embed and promote an inclusive and values-based culture which supports all of our people to achieve their full potential.
• Put in place long-term strategies to improve the experience of staff who raise concerns.
• Provide leadership and guidance to RFL group in the development of the FTSU organisational vision, identifying gaps in speaking up provision and engaging with key stakeholders to lead on the development of a FTSU strategy and implementation plan, adjusting these when required.
• Ensure that the FTSU strategy and plans appropriately interpret national policy and that they respond to changes in legislation, government guidelines and policy development in respect of FTSU matters.
• The post holder will report regularly (to the relevant individual or committee) to highlight areas of concern, feedback themes from staff speaking up and share experiences and outcomes. This will enable the identification of patient and staff safety issues, unacceptable behaviours, cultures of bullying, and wider Trust issues.

About Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s biggest and most innovative trusts. Across three main hospitals, our dedicated army of staff care for over 1.6 million patients, treat more than 200,000 in A&E, deliver over 8,000 babies and carry out more than 17 million tests.

Opportunities and Benefits

Our size, scale and influence offer you unrivalled career opportunities and a forward-thinking approach to working that works around your lifestyle. From flexible hours and generous benefits, to next level training, we make it easier to take your career to the top.

How to apply

For more information please follow link https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/

Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.

This advert closes on Monday 22 Sep 2025