Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced, visible and compassionate safeguarding leader to join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust as Head of Safeguarding. This senior Trust-wide role will lead the operational delivery and continued development of safeguarding services across adults, children, cared for children, maternity, mental health, learning disability and autism, spanning hospital and community settings.

We are seeking an inspirational leader who can lead with integrity, compassion and confidence; build trusted relationships across complex systems; and provide robust assurance to senior leaders and the Trust Board. In return, this post offers the opportunity to shape safeguarding practice across one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country and make a meaningful difference to patients, families, staff and communities.

Main duties of the job
The Head of Safeguarding will provide senior operational leadership for Trust-wide safeguarding services, including safeguarding adults and children, cared for children, mental health, learning disability and autism. The post holder will manage and develop the safeguarding workforce, provide expert advice to colleagues across the organisation, and ensure safeguarding practice is embedded across hospital and community settings. The role will lead the delivery of safeguarding priorities, including governance, statutory and regulatory compliance, quality assurance, safeguarding supervision, education and training, policy development and service improvement. The post holder will work closely with senior nursing leaders, named professionals, clinical teams and multi-agency partners to ensure effective identification, management and escalation of safeguarding concerns. A key part of the role will be to provide assurance to senior leaders and the Trust Board, using audit, data, incident learning, inspections and safeguarding reviews to drive improvement. The post holder will also represent the Trust at local, regional and partnership forums, contribute to safeguarding strategies and policies, and support a culture of learning, prevention, compassion and continuous improvement.

About us
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is a leading, integrated healthcare provider, the largest of its kind in specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, serving over 1 million people per year through our 10 hospitals and extensive community services. With a workforce of 30,000 plus, we are at the forefront of system leadership, innovation, and transformation across Greater Manchester.

As a senior manager, you will play a critical role in shaping and delivering our strategic objectives. You will lead complex programmes, drive operational excellence, and influence Trust-wide transformation, working collaboratively with or through Executive and Clinical Leaders to deliver sustainable improvements for our patients, staff, and communities.

MFT offers a dynamic, inclusive environment where your leadership, vision, and expertise are valued. You will have the opportunity to lead high-impact projects, develop future talent, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, supported by advanced digital infrastructure and a commitment to professional development. Join us to make a lasting impact--help shape the future of our Trust, drive innovation, and deliver outstanding care for the people of Manchester, Trafford and beyond.

Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading.

Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Supporting Documents section and once opened, you can where either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other. As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your applicationespecially personal statements and responses to role-specific questionsis written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Current first level NMC registration - Registered Adult Nurse/Registered Children's Nurse or social worker (Social Work England registration) or r Allied Health Professional (Health and Care Professions Council registered).
• Graduate in health or safeguarding -related subject
• Professional knowledge acquired through Masters level qualification supplemented by specialist training or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of relevant study and continuing professional development in safeguarding
• Post registration leadership development

Desirable

• Management /Leadership qualification
• Specialist Practitioner Health Visiting /School Nursing
• Children's Nursing qualification
• Midwifery Qualification
• Teaching or Supervision qualification

Knowledge
Essential

• Significant experience in senior safeguarding role for children and adults.
• Experience of the application of safeguarding legislation.
• Experience of successfully managing change including in delivering service changes which require staff consultation processes.
• Experience of budget management
• Significant line management experience
• Extensive evidence of providing successful professional leadership, leading to innovation in practice
• Significant experience of partnership working at strategic and operational level
• Experience of developing and delivering safeguarding training in a large/complex organisation
• Experience of developing/delivering/ monitoring and evaluating training programmes with clinical and non-clinical staff
• Experience of developing and implementing strategies, policies, and procedures to support best practice
• Extensive experience of multi-agency safeguarding work
• Experience of managing complex safeguarding situations.
• Significant experience of conducting or contributing to Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews SARs and DHRs and other investigations
• Experience of application of Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
• Experience of contributing to local safeguarding partnership sub-group activity
• Evidence of relevant study and continuing professional development in safeguarding.
• Post registration leadership development.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of safeguarding policy and strategy with a proven ability to translate into local action
• Current knowledge of relevant professional and policy Initiatives.

Desirable

• Experience in complaints management
• Risk management experience
• Involvement in research projects
• Experience of establishing performance monitoring and assurance systems and processes
• Experience of working with Higher Education
• Experience of Local Safeguarding Children Partnership group membership
• Experience in developing and presenting business cases
• Experience of being a Named Practitioner in Safeguarding

Skills
Essential

• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal
• Excellent presentation & report writing skills
• Ability to demonstrate extensive understanding of safeguarding principles, policy and practice
• Well-developed negotiating and influencing skills
• Expert safeguarding investigation skills
• Ability to make calm rational decisions in the face of adversity
• Strong analytical skills and ability to consider the wider picture
• Ability to analyse complex data
• IT/word processing skills
• Complex change management skills
• Clinical audit skills
• People management skills and the ability to address poor performance and unacceptable behaviours
• Political astuteness
• Ability to work effectively in partnership across agencies
• Well organised; able to articulate a vision and direct others
• Highly developed report writing skills and ability to present complex reports and action plans.
• Ability to work at a strategic level representing the Trust to external stakeholders
• Ability to engage and work with clinicians and staff at all levels

Desirable

• Quality improvement skills
• Media skills

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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).