[Hiring] Safeguarding Lead @Psychiatry UK

Role Description

The Safeguarding Lead will demonstrate a strong understanding of safeguarding issues affecting adults, children at risk and their families, acting as a visible role model by providing clinical support and practical guidance across departments within Psychiatry UK under the supervision of the Head of Safeguarding, in line with national and local guidance.

The role requires clinical expertise and sound knowledge of safeguarding and child protection legislation, including:

• Children Act (2004)
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2024)
• Mental Capacity Act (2005)
• Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
• Domestic Abuse Act (2021)
• Care Act (2014)
• Sexual Safety Charter

The post holder will support the delivery of safeguarding training, contribute to safeguarding governance processes, and work collaboratively with external agencies and partners to minimise risk and promote the safety and wellbeing of adults, children and families at risk.

This is a home-based role (applicants must reside in the UK), though occasional travel may be required for face-to-face meetings at various locations within the UK.

As our Safeguarding Lead, you will:

• Work as part of the Quality and Safety Team, supporting the Head of Safeguarding and acting as a visible safeguarding role model across PUK.
• Provide expert clinical advice, practical guidance and support to multidisciplinary teams on safeguarding adults, children and families at risk.
• Identify, assess, manage and evaluate complex safeguarding cases, ensuring concerns are recognised, escalated and acted upon appropriately, including through organisational systems and AI technology.
• Ensure compliance with Psychiatry UK safeguarding policies, procedures and statutory guidance, maintaining accurate, confidential records and contributing to the risk register.
• Liaise and work collaboratively with internal teams and external multi-agency partners, including attending case conferences and safeguarding meetings.
• Complete multi-agency referrals and contribute to safeguarding investigations, Serious Case Reviews and Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews, supporting implementation of learning.
• Support safeguarding governance through audits, action plans, incident reviews, complaints management and responses to external scrutiny.
• Contribute to and support safeguarding supervision, identifying practice issues and escalating concerns as required.
• Support the development, delivery and evaluation of safeguarding education, training programmes and resources across Psychiatry UK.
• Maintain high professional standards, up-to-date specialist knowledge and ongoing personal and professional development in line with regulatory and organisational requirements.

Qualifications

• Completion of Level 4 Safeguarding Training.
• Substantial experience in a safeguarding role within a healthcare or mental health setting, including formal safeguarding processes.
• Strong working knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policy and clinical safeguarding practice.
• Experience participating in and contributing to MDT meetings and multi-agency working.
• Specialist knowledge of the national safeguarding agenda and duties relevant to the role.
• Ability to undertake risk assessment and manage complex safeguarding cases.
• Experience providing safeguarding advice, supervision or acting as an expert role model in practice.
• Teaching or training experience, including delivery of safeguarding education.
• IT competent, with experience using standard software packages (e.g. Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).

Requirements

• Recent safeguarding external training.
• Safeguarding supervision experience.
• Evidence of further training /CPD in relevant speciality/field.
• Experience of developing, implementing, and delivering training programme.
• Experience of audit or policy/procedure development and implementation.
• Clinical/safeguarding supervision skills.
• Audit / research skills.
• Demonstrate knowledge of political and ethical issues related to safeguarding. Policy development and implementation.

Benefits

• Health Cash Plan.
• Well Hub Subscription.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Annual Volunteering Day.
• Enhanced Sickness and Family Leave pay.
• Length of Service Bonus.
• Work from Home allowance.
• Pension options.