Head of Safeguarding

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United Kingdom.

📋 Description

• Ensure that the organization adheres to statutory and professional safeguarding standards.

• Supervise the Safeguarding Lead.

• Work in collaboration with the Chief Medical Officer, designated doctors, and operational safeguarding teams.

• Establish a strong safeguarding framework, governance structures, and effective management processes across all services.

• Offer expert leadership, guidance, and support on safeguarding issues throughout the organization.

• Ensure adherence to regulations and provide Psychiatry UK with updates on safeguarding best practices and relevant changes.

• Serve as the Freedom to Speak Up Guardian.

• Inspire and motivate colleagues to promote high-quality safeguarding practices characterized by openness and trust.

• Guarantee that safeguarding governance and monitoring systems are robust, regularly reviewed, and developed to identify and mitigate risks.

• Provide safeguarding support and professional advice to quality, safety, and clinical leads.

• Represent Psychiatry UK at external safeguarding meetings and consultations.

• Develop and manage the safeguarding audit process.

• Hold oneself and colleagues accountable for delivering consistent, high-quality safeguarding outcomes.

• Prepare safeguarding reports for governance and executive committees.

• Ensure compliance with CQC safeguarding standards and ready the organization for inspections.

• Lead the development and implementation of innovative safeguarding practices and training programs.

• Ensure ongoing professional development and maintain up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding legislation and guidance.

• Report directly to the Director of Quality and Safety.

⛳️ Requirements

• Applicants must be residents of the UK.

• Registered clinician with current registration with the appropriate professional body.

• Relevant degree (Masters or equivalent), ideally in a related field.

• Extensive leadership experience in safeguarding, either in a previous head role or at a national level.

• Comprehensive knowledge of safeguarding requirements for both adults and children.

• Management/Leadership qualification.

• Evidence of ongoing professional development in safeguarding.

• Proven capability to manage and support staff in a high-pressure, demanding environment.

• Experience in overseeing safeguarding quality assurance processes.

• Background in safeguarding, quality, and safety, preferably within the NHS or other relevant sectors.

• Ability to effectively lead safeguarding initiatives, ensuring quality and compliance with established standards.

• Excellent communication, problem-solving, attention to detail, diplomacy, negotiation, and collaborative working skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

• Desirable: solid working knowledge of mental health.

• Desirable: experience in strategic-level roles.

• Desirable: strong media skills.

• Desirable: background in private healthcare settings.

🏝️ Benefits

• £1000 working from home allowance.

• Health Cash Plan.

• Well Hub Subscription.

• Employee Assistance Programme.

• Annual Volunteering Day.

• Enhanced Sickness and Family Leave pay.

• Length of Service Bonus.

• Pension options.

• Remote full-time role.

• Reasonable adjustments during recruitment, including additional time, assistive technology, or alternative formats.