Head of Nursing for Safeguarding Children

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Head of Nursing for Safeguarding Children Band 8b Main area: Safeguarding
Grade: Band 8b
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 23 hours per week

• Part time
• Flexible working

Job ref: 590-APR25

Employer: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: All UXSx Sites
Town: Worthing
Salary: £62,215 - £72,293 pro rata, per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 16/04/:59

About our Trust At UHSussex we're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK's largest acute Trusts, we're a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal - to always put our Patient First. In fact, our mission is summed up by our 'where better never stops' motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work-life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career, we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview Are you an experienced senior nurse passionate about safeguarding children and children in care & a commitment to delivering high-quality care? If so, this is your opportunity to lead & shape the safeguarding strategy within University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSx).

As the Head of Nursing for children and children in care, you will provide senior nursing leadership, ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding practice across our Trust. You will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies, quality governance, and performance management to enhance safeguarding services.

This role involves:

• Strategic Leadership - Shaping & delivering the Trust's safeguarding vision & compliance with statutory regulations.
• Quality Assurance - Ensuring safeguarding governance aligns with national standards supporting audit processes.
• Multi-Agency Collaboration - Representing the Trust at Local Safeguarding Partnerships & working closely with external stakeholders.
• Education & Training - Leading staff training & development in safeguarding best practices.
• Service Improvement - Driving continuous quality improvements to safeguarding processes & patient care.

Main duties of the job The Head of Nursing will be an integral member of the Safeguarding Senior Management Team, supporting the Corporate Nursing Division in delivering key performance targets and the Safeguarding strategy. The post holder will provide proactive senior nursing leadership and management for Safeguarding children and children in care.

You will have:

• Registered Nurse (Adult / Children/ Midwife) qualification
• Extensive safeguarding experience with knowledge of specialist areas
• Strong leadership & people management skills
• Proven ability to work within complex & challenging environments
• Experience in multi-agency safeguarding work at a senior level

Working for our organisation At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work-life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career, we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities The post holder will have management and leadership responsibilities for the following areas:

• Determining the strategic direction of the safeguarding service in collaboration with the Associate Director and wider safeguarding SMT.
• Compliance with statutory regulations and service quality for safeguarding at UHSussex.
• Performance management and professional standards of Safeguarding Nurse Specialists to ensure delivery of healthcare performance standards and Trust objectives within their designated area of responsibility.
• Ensuring UHSussex systems and processes support safeguarding children and children in care.
• Safeguarding, learning, and practice reviews, including the development of action plans.
• Strategy for recognition and response of all forms of abuse and neglect, including domestic violence and abuse, extrafamilial harm, and contextual forms of abuse.
• Preparing an annual report to provide assurance to the UHSussex Trust Board and ICB.
• Represent the Trust or act as an active local safeguarding partnership and sub-group member.
• Assurance is provided via monthly exception reports and quarterly complete reports to the Trust, ICB, and Safeguarding Partnerships.
• Assurance to the Board and other stakeholders via attendance at internal safeguarding meetings and committees.
• Deputising for the Associate Director at the Local Safeguarding Partnership meetings and other multi-agency, integrated care system meetings as required.
• Act as Chair of the children and children in care Operational Group.
• Ensuring safeguarding action plans associated with the children and children in care Operational Group meetings are monitored, and concerns are escalated to the Safeguarding Committee.
• Monitoring of action plans with external safeguarding audits.
• Escalate concerns via the Safeguarding Strategy Committee.
• The learning from safeguarding activity is disseminated, and action plans are followed up.
• Ensure that the provision of education and training sessions on safeguarding children and children in care meet the requirements in the various guidance documents.

Person specification

• Registered Nurse/ Midwife/ RSCN / RHV
• Educated to master's level/equivalent level qualification in relevant subject, or considerable experience of working at a similar level in a specialist area.
• Teaching qualification or equivalent experience.
• Extensive experience of safeguarding experience with knowledge of specialist areas. Level 4 competence for Safeguarding.
• Senior level experience of working within safeguarding children and children in care.
• Robust understanding of clinical decision-making processes within health organisations and with partner organizations e.g., local Authority, acute and private providers, and the public.
• Experience of presenting at a senior level Safeguarding Quarterly Board.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.

Important information for applicants:

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