Jobs at Guardian in United Kingdom

Job summary

Interviews will be conducted on Monday, 11th August and Friday, 15th August more details will be emailed shortly once you have been shortlisted for the interview.The Freedom to Speak Up Guardian is a high profile and influential role, which is integral to promoting a culture of transparency to support the delivery of compassionate patient care of the highest quality whilst ensuring the safety of our patients, the wellbeing our workers, contractors, students on placement, and visitors.

As a Freedom to Speak up Guardian you will operate independently, impartially, and objectively, whilst working in partnership with individuals and groups throughout the organisation, including the senior leadership team. The post holder will regularly seek guidance and support from and, where appropriate, escalate matters to, bodies outside the organisation. Excellent communication skills are crucial for this role; you will be required to communicate sensitively and effectively with a wide range of colleagues.

Main duties of the job

As Freedom to Speak up Lead Guardian, the post holder will work across all roles and levels within the Trust to gain exposure to the organisation and how it operates. The post holder will be required to work as part of the wider, regional and national forums relevant to Speaking up and Culture change. The post holder will provide a focus on ensuring that colleagues feel able to speak up without fear of reprisal in order to protect patient safety, improve the experience of workers and promote learning and improvement.

The post holder will, support the trust executive team to adhere with directives from the National Guardian Office, regularly support and contribute to the national and regional Freedom to Speak Up Guardian network by providing peer-to-peer support and other requirements as needed.

About us

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.

Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.

We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.

We are committed to equal opportunities and believe that diversity drives innovation and excellence. As part of our dedication to equity, we actively welcome applications from individuals from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities. We value the unique perspectives and experiences that diverse teams bring and are committed to creating an environment where all voices are heard, respected, and empowered to succeed."

If you haven't heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.

Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.

Details Date posted

09 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£59,490 to £66,239 a year pro rata Incl HCAs

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

289-CR-29

Job locations

West Middlesex Site/Chelsea Site

London

SW109NH

Job description Job responsibilities

Ensure that groups that may face particular barriers to speaking up have knowledge and support they need and issues raised are used as opportunities for learning and improvement.

Develop strong and open working relationships with the CEO, NEDs and other Executive Directors, with direct access to senior leaders as required.

To be responsible to facilitate compliance with the National Guardian Office (NGO) guidance as required by the NHS standard contract.

Prepare reports for Trust Board and People Committee, and present in person as per the national guidance to provide assurance on the delivery of the speaking up agenda.

To be responsible to facilitate compliance with the National Guardian Office (NGO) guidance as required by the NHS standard contract.

Prepare reports for Trust Board and People Committee and Acute care Collaborative, and present in person as per the national guidance to provide assurance on the delivery of the speaking up agenda.

Ensure the collation and submission of FTSU case data to the National Guardians Office on a quarterly basis, in line with stated deadlines.

Provide confidential and impartial advice and support to people who speak up without fear of reprisal, escalating concerns where appropriate. The post holder will be party to highly sensitive information.

Take immediate appropriate action when matters that people are speaking up about indicate that safety and quality may be compromised.

Support the development of a working environment and open culture which fosters high morale and commitment among all colleagues and promotes their well-being. Organise sessions, events and other activities to promote the speaking up agenda.

Job description Job responsibilities

Ensure that groups that may face particular barriers to speaking up have knowledge and support they need and issues raised are used as opportunities for learning and improvement.

Develop strong and open working relationships with the CEO, NEDs and other Executive Directors, with direct access to senior leaders as required.

To be responsible to facilitate compliance with the National Guardian Office (NGO) guidance as required by the NHS standard contract.

Prepare reports for Trust Board and People Committee, and present in person as per the national guidance to provide assurance on the delivery of the speaking up agenda.

To be responsible to facilitate compliance with the National Guardian Office (NGO) guidance as required by the NHS standard contract.

Prepare reports for Trust Board and People Committee and Acute care Collaborative, and present in person as per the national guidance to provide assurance on the delivery of the speaking up agenda.

Ensure the collation and submission of FTSU case data to the National Guardians Office on a quarterly basis, in line with stated deadlines.

Provide confidential and impartial advice and support to people who speak up without fear of reprisal, escalating concerns where appropriate. The post holder will be party to highly sensitive information.

Take immediate appropriate action when matters that people are speaking up about indicate that safety and quality may be compromised.

Support the development of a working environment and open culture which fosters high morale and commitment among all colleagues and promotes their well-being. Organise sessions, events and other activities to promote the speaking up agenda.

Person Specification Education and qualifications Essential

• Education to Post Grad level or equivalent level of experience in the relevant area
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Has undertaken or willing to undertake National Freedom to Speak Up Guardian training.

Desirable

• Coaching and/or mediation qualification
• Professional clinical qualification

Experience Essential

• Demonstrable experience of working at a strategic level.
• Demonstrable experience of developing service related plans and strategies and joint working with colleagues
• Demonstrable experience of working in multidisciplinary settings in a patient centred / clinical environment.
• Exceptional proven leadership skills
• Experience of working with diverse levels of staff
• Experience of providing effective support to staff in difficult and complex work-related situations

Desirable

• Previous management of complex concerns and issues, in a management, staff side or governance role
• Demonstrable track record of facilitating a change to the working environment
• Experience of coaching/mentoring

Skills and knowledge Essential

• Ability to lead meetings and reviews relating to more complex staff or situations
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and to prioritise competing demands across a broad workload
• Ability to plan and manage work within agreed objectives
• Excellent verbal and written interpersonal and communication skills at different levels of the organisation
• Highly developed, negotiating and influencing skills, overcoming barriers to understanding and acceptance, and reaching agreements
• Ability to interpret and analyse complex facts or situations
• Proven ability to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentions information
• Ability to build good relationships with key stakeholders and influence colleagues at all levels of the organisation
• Excellent IT Skills

Desirable

• Ability to design and deliver training

Person Specification Education and qualifications Essential

• Education to Post Grad level or equivalent level of experience in the relevant area
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Has undertaken or willing to undertake National Freedom to Speak Up Guardian training.

Desirable

• Coaching and/or mediation qualification
• Professional clinical qualification

Experience Essential

• Demonstrable experience of working at a strategic level.
• Demonstrable experience of developing service related plans and strategies and joint working with colleagues
• Demonstrable experience of working in multidisciplinary settings in a patient centred / clinical environment.
• Exceptional proven leadership skills
• Experience of working with diverse levels of staff
• Experience of providing effective support to staff in difficult and complex work-related situations

Desirable

• Previous management of complex concerns and issues, in a management, staff side or governance role
• Demonstrable track record of facilitating a change to the working environment
• Experience of coaching/mentoring

Skills and knowledge Essential

• Ability to lead meetings and reviews relating to more complex staff or situations
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and to prioritise competing demands across a broad workload
• Ability to plan and manage work within agreed objectives
• Excellent verbal and written interpersonal and communication skills at different levels of the organisation
• Highly developed, negotiating and influencing skills, overcoming barriers to understanding and acceptance, and reaching agreements
• Ability to interpret and analyse complex facts or situations
• Proven ability to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentions information
• Ability to build good relationships with key stakeholders and influence colleagues at all levels of the organisation
• Excellent IT Skills

Desirable

• Ability to design and deliver training

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).

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).

Employer details Employer name

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

West Middlesex Site/Chelsea Site

London

SW109NH

Employer's website

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

Employer details Employer name

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

West Middlesex Site/Chelsea Site

London

SW109NH

Employer's website

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