Job overview

The lead professional for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults is responsible for undertaking the roles and responsibilities of named nurse as described in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018). 

This includes responsibility for advising QEH on its statutory responsibilities for safeguarding children stipulated in primary legislation and underpinned by Government strategy and national, regional, and local guidance, procedures and standards.

Main duties of the job

The post holder is the responsible strategic lead for the development and implementation of the Trust strategy for Safeguarding adults and children, improving patient, carer and staff experience and engagement for the QEH and related services across the ICS.

The post holder will be an influential senior leader working within the corporate team to provide strategic leadership and expert specialist advice concerning all areas of Safeguarding for children and adults, taking a significant role in the continued development of high-quality patient Experience throughout the Trust providing support and guidance to Trust staff ensuring a patient focussed service.

This post is integral to supporting the delivery of a high quality, safe and compassionate healthcare service.

The post holder is expected to act as a role model to others in all aspects of their work and consistently demonstrate QEHKL Trust Values, whilst being the primary source of expert, strategic professional leadership, advice and guidance to the Trust Board and Divisions in matters of safeguarding for children and adults in order to deliver an outstanding patient and staff experience for the Trust and across the ICS.

Working for our organisation

There’s never been a more exciting time to join TeamQEH.  We’re working on a once in a generation opportunity to build a new state-of-the-art hospital to open in 2030 and we are also carrying out on one of the biggest pieces of digital transformation work we’ve ever undertaken.
 
Our new electronic patient record (EPR) will replace paper-based patient records from 2026 and will lead to better, safer, joined-up care at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and beyond.
 
At The QEH we provide a comprehensive range of specialist, acute, obstetrics and community-based services to around 331,000 people across west and north Norfolk, North Cambs and South Lincs.
 
We are an ambitious organisation that upholds our values of kindness, wellness and fairness. We strive for continuous quality improvement, recently demonstrated in our 2024 CQC maternity inspection rating our services as ‘Good’, and we are proud to be a place to learn and grow through recognised learning and apprenticeships.
 
We recognise and reward our 4,000 staff and volunteers, priding ourselves on a community atmosphere and positive team spirit.  We have approx. 530 beds across 33 wards and have newly built education and training facilities, a range of modern award-winning centres alongside a talented team of people ready to give you a warm welcome.  We love working here and think you will too.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full details about this vacancy, please see the attached job description and person specification.

Person specification

Qualifications/training and professional development

Essential criteria

• Registered Nurse with extensive safeguarding experience within an acute hospital or community setting.
• Registered Nurse Part 1 (NMC) Children’s Nurse or Part 3 Specialist Community Public Health Nurse
• Training in Safeguarding Supervision
• Post registration in safeguarding in children and young people/child.
• Must be educated to degree level.
• Master’s qualification or equivalent level of education, qualification or experience
• Mentorship programme.
• Relevant post graduate Safeguarding Children & Adults training or equivalent experience
• Specific Training in the care of babies/children and young people
• Evidence of on-going professional learning

Experience

Essential criteria

• Wide experience (general &/or specialist) of recent nursing in an acute hospital environment
• Significant relevant recent experience in safeguarding adult work.
• Significant experience relating to caring for babies/children and young people; practising in the field of safeguarding /child protection
• Significant Experience in inter-agency work.
• Significant Experience in education and training.
• Significant Experience in safeguarding children clinical supervision
• Significant Experience in policy development

Desirable criteria

• Experience in quality audit and monitoring processes
• Experience in research and development of practice
• Experience in inter-agency audit.
• Experience in strategy development
• Experience in undertaking health management reviews

Skills, abilities, and knowledge

Essential criteria

• Investigation and report writing skills.
• Ability to act as a catalyst for applying change.
• Expert knowledge of legislation relevant to safeguarding adults and children.
• Knowledge of Adults and children’s services.
• Extensive knowledge of children’s rights and the rights of Vulnerable adults
• Knowledge of evidence based safeguarding children practice.
• Knowledge of legal framework for information sharing
• Knowledge of evidence based safeguarding adults practice.
• Knowledge of statutory and voluntary organisations.
• Understanding of the NMC Codes of Conduct.
• Ability to maintain standards of care/leadership in a busy environment
• Advanced personal, social and communication skills.
• Leadership and clinical expertise.
• Skilled negotiator
• Information technology literate.

Desirable criteria

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills

Applications are welcome from anyone who meets the criteria specified in the person specification regardless of age, gender, disability, race ,ethnicity, religion, belief, sexual orientation or other personal circumstances. Only those applicants who demonstrate in the application form how they meet the criteria in the person specification will be shortlisted for interview. We not only recruit employees based on their qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who possess and can demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our core values.