Head of Safeguarding

Come and join one of the UK's largest independent providers in neuro and mental healthcare. We proudly employ over 4000+ people - no matter what your experience, we have jobs for everyone. We have a fantastic opportunity for a Head of Safeguarding to join Active Care Group. This position is full time, working remotely with travel across the UK to residential services and offices.

Main duties of the job

Reporting into the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), the Head of Safeguarding is responsible for leading and managing ACG's safeguarding policies, procedures, and practices to ensure the safety and protection of vulnerable individuals. This role will oversee safeguarding across the organisation and act as the primary point of contact for safeguarding issues. The role will support operations to deliver services that are in line and compliant with all national safeguarding guidance, regulatory and local care requirements and standards, including those set by national regulators across England, Wales and Scotland.

Job responsibilities

What you'll be doing:

1. Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for Active Care Group (ACG), overseeing the management and resolution of safeguarding concerns.
2. Develop and review safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure they align with current legislation, guidance, and best practices and are effectively communicated and understood across the organisation.
3. Provide strategic advice and guidance on safeguarding issues to senior leadership and the board.
4. Lead and oversee the organisation's safeguarding strategy and its implementation.
5. Oversee training as required in line with safeguarding adults and child protection guidance and legislation.
6. Monitor the recording and handling of incidents and complaints involving adult and child protection issues.
7. Support operational colleagues with the processes regarding allegations against persons in a position of trust.
8. Ensure the outcomes from local and national serious case reviews and other learning are shared with hospital safeguarding leads and support the organisation.
9. Liaise as appropriate with professional leads from other agencies, such as Education, the Police and NHS England.

What you'll have:

• A relevant degree in social work, education, healthcare, or a related field.
• Safeguarding qualification or professional training (e.g., NSPCC, Level 3 or 4 Safeguarding training) desirable but not essential.
• Extensive knowledge of UK safeguarding laws.
• Knowledge of risk management and governance processes related to safeguarding.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to influence and drive change.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively communicate safeguarding policies and concerns to all levels of the organisation.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to assess risk and make sound decisions.
• Empathy and understanding, with a commitment to the protection and well-being of vulnerable individuals.

Experience:

• Proven experience in a senior safeguarding role, within Health and Social Care.
• Experience in developing and implementing safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Experience in managing safeguarding cases, including complex cases involving vulnerable children or adults.
• Experience in working with regulatory bodies or safeguarding boards.

We also want to ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable facilities to participate in job applications or interviews to perform essential job functions. To support this, we are a Disability Confident committed employer.

Person Specification Qualifications

• A relevant degree in social work, education, healthcare, or a related field.
• Safeguarding qualification or professional training (e.g., NSPCC, Level 3 or 4 Safeguarding training) desirable but not essential.

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.