Deputy Named Professional for Safeguarding Adults

As part of the transition to a Group Clinical Services structure within Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, there is an increased expectation of cross-site working.

Although roles will have a designated base, post holders are likely to be required to work across multiple Trust sites in line with service needs. Where this is not included in the initial job plan, any future requirement arising from the departmental restructures will be addressed through the job planning process. Travel time will be taken into consideration in line with contractual expectations.

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

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Job overview

Reporting directly to the Named Professional and Lead for Adult Safeguarding, the Deputy Named Professional for Safeguarding Adults post incorporates a key deputy leadership role supporting the Trust's MCA, LPS, Prevent and PiPoT agendas, leading delegated areas of work and deputising for the Named Professional as required.

Please see job profile (attached) for full job overview.

Main duties of the job

Clinical Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

Education, Training & Supervision

Communication and Coordination

Audit, Monitoring and Research

Governance, Policy & Service Development

Please see job profile (attached) for full job overview.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached job profile for full details of the role and responsibilities.

Person Spec

Essential criteria

• Registration with the NMC, HCPC or other appropriate professional regulator.
• Master's level qualification in a safeguarding field or demonstrable equivalent postgraduate specialist knowledge and experience.
• Post-registration safeguarding training.
• Clinical leadership qualification or equivalent leadership development.
• Brings a strong blend of sophisticated theoretical safeguarding knowledge and substantial practical experience, demonstrating a high level of expertise in safeguarding adults.
• Systematic understanding of safeguarding adults, with up-to-date critical awareness of current issues, legislation and best practice.
• Systematic understanding of the Care Act (2014), Mental Capacity Act (2005), Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) where relevant, the Intercollegiate Documents for Safeguarding Adults and Children, and the NHSE Safeguarding Accountability and Assurance Framework.
• Up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding research and its application to safeguarding adults practice.
• Ability to lead, develop, deliver and evaluate safeguarding education across the Trust and with multi-agency partners. E
• Ability to use, analyse and apply research findings to improve safeguarding practice and service delivery.
• Demonstrates sound professional judgement when managing exceptionally complex safeguarding situations.
• High-level teaching, presentation and communication skills for a wide range of audiences.
• Ability to communicate highly complex and sensitive information effectively.
• Strong IT skills, including developing educational resources and producing reports.
• Ability to develop, review and ensure accessibility of safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional networks across health, social care and partner agencies.
• Experience delivering induction, refresher and specialist safeguarding training (e.g. Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Domestic Abuse, PREVENT and related safeguarding topics).
• Experience providing safeguarding supervision, leadership and management.
• Experience of safeguarding adults practice within health and/or social care settings.
• Experience evaluating safeguarding practice through audit, quality assurance and service improvement. E
• Experience preparing reports and presenting complex safeguarding information to senior groups and multi-agency forums.
• Engagement in clinical and safeguarding supervision.
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuing professional development and maintains professional registration.
• Adheres to professional codes of conduct and Trust policies.
• Embraces the Trust's values and demonstrates an attitude which respects and values patients, families, carers and colleagues, while actively promoting staff wellbeing.
• Recognises the harmful effects of discrimination and inequality on health outcomes for adults and children, and actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Demonstrates resilience, integrity and professionalism when managing complex safeguarding issues.
• Flexible in style and approach to support colleagues, services and organisational change.

Desirable criteria

• Teaching qualification or recognised education/facilitation training.
• Ability to evaluate training effectiveness and produce reports demonstrating impact and learning.
• Experience developing, implementing and reviewing safeguarding policies, procedures and guidance.
• Experience of providing evidence in legal proceedings and attending court.

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

· As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

· The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

· BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

· To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

· If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.

· The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

· By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

· Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.

• Job Profile (PDF, 320.6KB)
• Policy Statement - Ex Offenders (PDF, 424.6KB)
• UHBW Behaviours and Values (PDF, 299.3KB)
• DBS Charges Information (PDF, 71.0KB)
• DBS Charges Information (PNG, 132.1KB)