Group Director of Safeguarding (Adults and Children)

NHS; Bristol; On-site; GBP 88,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking NHS Trust as a Group Director of Safeguarding, where you'll lead transformative safeguarding strategies across two dynamic hospital trusts. This pivotal role offers the opportunity to influence national policy and foster collaborative partnerships to protect vulnerable individuals. With a commitment to excellence in patient care and safety, you'll play a crucial role in shaping the future of safeguarding in healthcare. If you are a visionary leader with a passion for making a difference, this is the role for you!

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in safeguarding legislation and policy.
• Proven leadership ability in healthcare settings.
• Experience in developing governance frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead safeguarding strategies across two NHS Trusts.
• Implement national policies and monitor safeguarding practices.
• Build partnerships to enhance patient safety.

Skills

Leadership

Safeguarding Knowledge

Strategic Planning

Communication

Conflict Resolution

Education

Professional Qualification in Health, Social Care or Education

Master's Degree in Relevant Subject

Teaching Qualification

Job description

Job summary

Are you a visionary leader with a passion for safeguarding and a drive to make a meaningful impact? If so, this is the opportunity you've been waiting for! We are seeking a Group Director of Safeguarding (Adults & Children) to take on a high-profile leadership role across two of the UK's most dynamic NHS Trusts.

This pivotal position offers the chance to shape and lead safeguarding strategies across two remarkable hospital trusts - North Bristol Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston (UHBW) - ensuring the highest standards of safety and care for patients of all ages.

Working at the heart of forward-thinking, multi-award-winning organisations, you will have the autonomy to drive transformational change, influence national safeguarding policy, and foster strong multi-agency partnerships to protect those at risk.

Join us and be part of a Bristol Hospital Group that is leading the way in digital healthcare, sustainability, and safeguarding excellence. If you have the expertise, vision, and leadership to make a difference, we want to hear from you!

Main duties of the job

As a key member of the Group Chief Nursing senior leadership team, you will be supporting the Group Chief Nurse Portfolio which includes professional inclusive & compassionate leadership,accountability and responsibility for the identification, monitoring, implementation and ongoing review of the all-age safeguarding agenda across acute hospital healthcare services at North Bristol Trust & University Hospitals Bristol and Weston. Working in partnership with senior safeguarding colleagues across the ICS towards facilitation of improved integrated safeguarding partnership arrangements.

The post carries considerable autonomy in implementing national strategies and carries with it delegated responsibility to make decisions on behalf of the Bristol Hospital Group (NBT & UHBW). This is a significant leadership role, working internally and externally with key partners, in the development and implementation of national and local policies relating to safeguarding practice, acting as Bristol Hospital Group representative at national forums as required.

The post holder will interpret, implement and monitor portfolio-related national policies and statute, anticipating & reacting to emergent policies that impact the safety of patients and the reputation and working of the Group. They will facilitate transformation and ensure strategic alignment across the system and drive the uptake of initiatives that support excellence in safeguarding children, young people, & adults, who are at risk.

About us

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.

North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.

Details Date posted

07 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£88,168 to £101,677 a year pa pro rata (dependant on experience)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

339-TS0727-ALF

Job locations

Trust Headquarters

Marlborough Street

Bristol

BS1 3NU

Job description Job responsibilities

For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Job description Job responsibilities

For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person Specification Qualifications and Experience Essential

• Professional Qualification (current registration) in either Health, Social Care or Education
• Master's Degree in relevant subject or equivalent experience
• Teaching qualification or equivalent experience
• Experience of facilitating Executive Safeguarding Level Training

Knowledge and Experience Essential

• Substantial experience of delivering strategic level advice and guidance to senior managers and Directors
• Significant experience in working in adult and children and family services, including experience of working as a Safeguarding senior manager
• Significant experience in a safeguarding lead role with comprehensive knowledge of safeguarding legislation and policy, working across multiagency footprint and leading on the safeguarding agenda
• In depth knowledge and understanding of the legislation, law and current NHS Policy relating to safeguarding and legal processes
• Experience in developing and implementing governance/safety frameworks to support service and quality delivery, improvement and sustainability
• Significant senior management experience within a multidisciplinary environment across healthcare sectors including local service / community and health and social care partners who are associated with the speciality
• Clear understanding and knowledge of national direction/initiatives, e.g. NHS England, CQC, National Service standards associated with Safeguarding

Skills and Abilities Essential

• Ability to communicate and build good working relationships with multi-disciplinary and multi-agency arenas.
• Expert ability to analyse and resolve complex issues, including conflict resolution
• Exercise a high degree of autonomy to make critical decisions and judgements
• Proven Leadership ability
• Experience of managing service changes
• Ability to write reports in short, changing timescales whilst subject to frequent interruptions
• Demonstrate capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales

Aptitudes Essential

• Possesses resilience and determination flexible and adaptable in a high-pressure environment.
• Focuses on achieving results of high quality in a safe and effective way
• Possesses excellent time-management skills and ability to work on own initiative and where required as part of a senior team
• Be result-driven and innovative with high level of personal integrity

Person Specification Qualifications and Experience Essential

• Professional Qualification (current registration) in either Health, Social Care or Education
• Master's Degree in relevant subject or equivalent experience
• Teaching qualification or equivalent experience
• Experience of facilitating Executive Safeguarding Level Training

Knowledge and Experience Essential

• Substantial experience of delivering strategic level advice and guidance to senior managers and Directors
• Significant experience in working in adult and children and family services, including experience of working as a Safeguarding senior manager
• Significant experience in a safeguarding lead role with comprehensive knowledge of safeguarding legislation and policy, working across multiagency footprint and leading on the safeguarding agenda
• In depth knowledge and understanding of the legislation, law and current NHS Policy relating to safeguarding and legal processes
• Experience in developing and implementing governance/safety frameworks to support service and quality delivery, improvement and sustainability
• Significant senior management experience within a multidisciplinary environment across healthcare sectors including local service / community and health and social care partners who are associated with the speciality
• Clear understanding and knowledge of national direction/initiatives, e.g. NHS England, CQC, National Service standards associated with Safeguarding

Skills and Abilities Essential

• Ability to communicate and build good working relationships with multi-disciplinary and multi-agency arenas.
• Expert ability to analyse and resolve complex issues, including conflict resolution
• Exercise a high degree of autonomy to make critical decisions and judgements
• Proven Leadership ability
• Experience of managing service changes
• Ability to write reports in short, changing timescales whilst subject to frequent interruptions
• Demonstrate capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales

Aptitudes Essential

• Possesses resilience and determination flexible and adaptable in a high-pressure environment.
• Focuses on achieving results of high quality in a safe and effective way
• Possesses excellent time-management skills and ability to work on own initiative and where required as part of a senior team
• Be result-driven and innovative with high level of personal integrity

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

North Bristol NHS Trust

Address

Trust Headquarters

Marlborough Street

Bristol

BS1 3NU

Employer's website

https://www.nbt.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

North Bristol NHS Trust

Address

Trust Headquarters

Marlborough Street

Bristol

BS1 3NU

Employer's website

https://www.nbt.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)