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Job summary

Main area
Safeguarding
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 8b
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
285-6291A-CORP
Employer
Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Wolverhampton Civic Centre
Town
Wolverhampton
Salary
£66,582 - £77,368 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
14/07/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust logo

Head of Safeguarding

NHS AfC: Band 8b

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is growing and changing. We provide specialist mental health, learning disability and community services across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton. We’re looking for people who care about others, take responsibility, treat people with respect and have the confidence to speak up and shape what comes next.

We’re focused on the future, with a clear Trust Strategy and our Best for the Black Country programme driving improvement across our services and communities.

What we do

·       Adult and older adult mental health

·       Children and young people’s mental health

·       Specialist learning disability services

·       Community healthcare for children, young people and families in Dudley

Why join now

We’ve got real momentum. Clear priorities and our Best for the Black Country work mean things are moving in the right way, fast.

Our culture is built around being compassionate, accountable, respectful and empowering each other - you’ll see this in how teams support patients and colleagues every day.
You’ll be looked after. Flexible working, family-friendly policies, supportive teams, proper wellbeing support and opportunities to learn and develop.

There’s room to grow. A wide range of services, space to try ideas and a voice that’s heard.

It’s a great place to live. Diverse communities, good transport links, strong schools and green space, with a lower cost of living than many city regions.

What it’s like to work here

You’ll join friendly, skilled teams who look out for each other. We plan together, share pressures and celebrate wins. You’ll be encouraged to take ownership, speak up and learn from experience. New starters get a warm welcome and clear induction; early careers colleagues have preceptorship and buddying; experienced staff can lead, teach and innovate.

Who we are

We’re 4,000+ colleagues from many backgrounds, committed to improving health and wellbeing for our communities and for each other. If you’re interested in the role but don’t meet every requirement, please apply — we value potential, different perspectives and people who want to grow.

Job overview

1.  We especially encourage applications from among professionals with background in adults safeguarding and from among social workers and allied health professionals, to diversify the skill mix in the team. 

2.   We aim to recruit applicants with background and significant experience in the field of mental health and learning disability field (MH/LD social worker / AHP / nurse).

3. We encourage applicants with strong background in operational line management, especially within the safeguarding teams / mental health / learning disability services in Local Authorities or managing safeguarding teams within other NHS trusts.

Please note - previous applicants need not apply

This role supports the Associate Director of Safeguarding and Legal Affairs in delivering high quality safeguarding assurance across the organisation, in line with local and national legislation and guidance.

Working across both child and adult safeguarding, the post holder will collaborate with internal and external partners to promote safe, effective practice. We welcome applicants who are developing their safeguarding expertise and will provide support to build skills and confidence in specialist areas.

The post holder will act as deputy to the Associate Director of Safeguarding and Legal Affairs when required, provide line management to the Named Professionals and overall operational management of both the Corporate Safeguarding Service and MASH function. 

Main duties of the job

Please note - previous applicants need not apply

All details are included in the attached job description and personal specification. Should you have any queries reach out to the recruiter.

Working for our organisation

Please note - previous applicants need not apply

As a trust we are committed to ensuring staffs wellbeing, providing access to various networks, trust wide mindfulness groups, self-referral physio services, staff counselling. In addition to this you will have access to the Vivup services, Car lease schemes and other benefits.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

All details are included in the attached job description and personal specification. Should you have any queries reach out to the recruiter.

Person specification

Essential

Essential criteria
  • Registration with Social Work England, HCPC or NMC
  • Minimum 5 years post qualification experience within the mental health services
  • Recent (within last 2 years) experience of practice in adult mental health as mental health social worker / OT / nurse
  • Extensive (minimum 3 years) experience of line management of team, including sickness management, performance management, etc., within mental health services
  • Experience of leading service change and implementing management of change process.
  • Experience of developing and managing quality improvement projects and utilising relevant QI methodology.
  • Experience of effectively managing budgets and clear understanding of budget management and the delivery of high quality, value for money services.
  • Experience of working within an integrated/ multi disciplinary service setting
  • Experience of supporting and developing service user and carer involvement and co production.
  • Excellent knowledge of legislation relating to safeguarding and relevant mental health legislation, and evidence of experience working with these.
  • Excellent knowledge of contemporary safeguarding issues and practice across adults and children
  • Excellent knowledge of legal and best practice framework related to sexual safety in the work place.
  • Excellent knowledge of legal and best practice framework related to support for staff experiencing domestic abuse.
  • Excellent knowledge of legal and best practice framework related to carers of patients in the context of mental health services.
  • Project management skills
  • Ability to prepare and present written briefings to senior leadership
  • Ability to communicate effectively and build good relationships with multi-professional groups and multi-agencies
  • Able to demonstrate a track record of applying strong analytical skills and laterally thinking to develop creative and innovative service solutions.
  • Ability to apply findings from research evidence and best practice.
  • Ability to deliver service outcomes to agreed standards by timely and accurate recording of performance data
  • Ability to analyse and resolve complex issues, including conflict resolution
  • Excellent presentation and communication skills – verbal and written
  • Knowledge and experience of risk management processes
  • Ability to translate strategy into operational practice to benefit patients and service users
  • Ability to manage and direct service delivery initiatives and projects from within budget and set timescales.
  • Able to demonstrate an ability to set standards for staff including clear expectations around timescales.
  • Ability to acquire new skills and demonstrate a strong commitment to learning/continuous professional development for self and others
  • Ability to motivate and empower staff to build an effective service and develop good relationships, trust, good morale and teamwork.
  • Ability to attract, develop and retain a highly motivated and professional workforce and to deal swiftly and competently with any performance issues or unprofessional conduct.
Desirable criteria
  • Masters level qualification in safeguarding

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveDisability confident leaderCare quality commission - GoodArmed Forces Covenant Bronze Award

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Jacek Borek
Job title
Associate Director of Safeguarding & Legal Affairs
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07780726766
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