Safeguarding jobs in United Kingdom

Go back Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 10 March 2026

As the Safeguarding Specialist Operational Lead and Named Professional for Safeguarding Adults at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (Royal Devon), you will assume a senior role in ensuring the compliance with our safeguarding legislative and regulatory requirements.

The safeguarding of both adults and children is core business within the Trust and is a fundamental part of all service delivery. The safeguarding team has a proactive approach towards safeguarding and priority is given to developing confidence and competence in safeguarding matters for all staff groups. Safe and effective care & quality assurance is central to the team's working.

For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients to stay healthy, when they need it most.

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).

Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within peoples own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state‑of‑the‑art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world‑class care to our local communities.

Its never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as youll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role

This is an exciting opportunity and time to be joining the Royal Devon Safeguarding and MCA Team. We are looking for a forward thinking, innovative and compassionate individual who will be instrumental in further developing our team.

The Safeguarding Specialist Operational Lead - Named Professional for Safeguarding Adults position will provide leadership and management to the Safeguarding Team. The post holder will work with the specialist nurses for safeguarding adults and children to ensure that all aspects of development of the service, skill mix, reviews and effective resource management is proposed and implemented in the context of defined budgets. The post holder will also attend meetings as required and will work closely with the Named Nurse Safeguarding Children, Professional Lead for MCA, Head of Safeguarding and Associate Director of Safeguarding in the development of the service. There will also be a requirement to maintain close working relationships with the MCA team, all Care Directorates within the Trust and multi‑agency partnerships.

The post holder will have an extensive and in‑depth knowledge of safeguarding adults and be able to support and direct the specialist safeguarding nurses and clinical staff as appropriate.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated individual to support clinical and operational leadership. This is a key senior role, responsible for leading a skilled team with a focus on driving service development and embedding safeguarding consistently across clinical and corporate services.

• Visible leadership and expert oversight for Safeguarding Adults, ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory, and Trust requirements.
• Lead, develop, and support the safeguarding team, fostering a culture of learning, reflection, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrate experience of service integration or system‑wide working across safeguarding functions.

KEY RESULT AREAS/PRINCIPAL

Working Pattern: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30 pm

Interview Date: To Be Confirmed

For further information please contact: Louise Barraclough, Associate Director of Safeguarding and MCA on 01271 341 533 or louise.barraclough@nhs.net

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work‑life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.

Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter

Car lease schemes.

The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).

Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.

• See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description
• See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

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.

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust