Head of Safeguarding

NHS; Exeter; On-site; GBP 62,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Exeter is seeking a Head of Safeguarding to provide leadership and ensure compliance with safeguarding standards. The role involves operational management and collaboration with senior leaders to enhance safeguarding practices across services. Candidates should possess relevant professional qualifications and experience in health or social care settings.

Benefits

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

NHS Pension

Flexible working schemes

Staff discounts

Cycle-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in Health or Social Care organization.
• In-depth knowledge of safeguarding adults and children.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional leadership in safeguarding practices.
• Oversee training, supervision, and audits related to safeguarding.
• Support staff with complex cases and escalation processes.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical Skills

Communication

Education

Nursing Registration

Allied Health Professional Registration

Social Worker Registration

Job description

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced, motivated, and enthusiastic Head of Safeguarding with in-depth knowledge of safeguarding adults and children, including MCA. The ideal candidate will possess advanced analytical skills, provide professional leadership, and promote excellent safeguarding practices across Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust ('Royal Devon'). The role requires experience within a Health or Social Care organization, relevant professional qualifications, and registration.

Main duties of the job

For detailed responsibilities, please see the job description section below. As a key member of our team, you will contribute to helping our patients stay healthy when they need it most.

About us

We serve Northern, Eastern, and Mid Devon with a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services support over 615,000 people across more than 2,000 square miles. We provide emergency, specialist, and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Our services extend to community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home care, alongside primary care, specialist community services, and SARC. Our advanced technology and research collaborations enable us to deliver world-class care. Join us during this exciting phase of our service integration journey.

Details

• Date posted: 16 May 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 8b
• Salary: £62,215 to £72,293 per year (pro rata)
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 185-16316-10562
• Job location: Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Barrack Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5DW

Job description

For more details, please see the link below.

More about the role

The post-holder will be a senior member of our safeguarding and MCA service, reporting to the Associate Director of Safeguarding and collaborating with senior nursing and executive leaders to meet statutory safeguarding requirements.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an award-winning team. We seek a proactive, forward-thinking leader to support service transformation during a period of NHS change. The post involves operational management, staff leadership, and promoting innovation and compassion. Strong communication, presentation skills, and the ability to produce comprehensive quality assurance reports are essential. The role also involves deputising for the Associate Director at meetings across Devon and representing the Trust at multi-agency safeguarding forums.

Our team provides specialist advice and operational support across acute, community, and specialist services, working with adult and child safeguarding boards and partnerships across Devon.

The role is crucial for delivering statutory safeguarding and MCA responsibilities, offering expert advice on legislation, guidance, and best practice. You will oversee areas such as training, supervision, audits, PREVENT, multi-agency safeguarding hubs, domestic abuse, sexual violence, modern slavery, and safeguarding reviews. Ensuring timely implementation of recommendations from reviews is key.

You will support staff with complex cases and escalation processes, aiming to enhance partnership working, quality assurance, and collaborative safeguarding strategies across care groups and partner agencies.

Applications are welcome from individuals with Nursing, Midwifery, Allied Health Professional, or Social Worker registrations.

Working Pattern: Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 16:30 (flexible working considered)

Interview Date: Friday 20th June

Contact: Louise Barraclough, Associate Director of Safeguarding, at 07887 723092 or [e-mail]

We are committed to diversity and inclusivity, encouraging applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. Priority will be given to NHS At Risk staff and those with 'At Risk' status within Devon.

The Trust reserves the right to close the vacancy early when sufficient applications are received.

Our establishment was formed in April 2022, combining the expertise of Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Benefits

We support your development with funding, study leave, and placement opportunities. We promote work-life balance through flexible schemes and family-friendly policies. Starting with 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), increasing to 33 days. Access to occupational health, counselling, and wellbeing activities is available.

Additional benefits include staff discounts, salary sacrifice schemes, a nursery, NHS Pension, cycle-to-work scheme, and more. We look forward to your application if this role interests you.