Lead Freedom to Speak Up Guardian: Sponsorship Available

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Job summary

We areseekingan exceptional and compassionate leader to join our Quality Directorate asLead Freedom to Speak Up Guardian (FTSU).

This is a pivotal role responsible for leading and shaping the Trust’s Freedom to Speak Up function. The post holder will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight, ensuring colleagues feel safe, supported and empowered to raise concerns. The role plays a vital part in promoting a transparent,inclusiveand learning-focused culture, directly contributing to the safety and wellbeing of both colleagues and patients.

Working independently and impartially, the Lead Guardian willoperateat both strategic and frontline levels, engaging with colleagues across the organisation while influencing senior leaders and the Trust Board to strengthen a positive speaking up culture.This is a part time position at 30 hours per week.

Main duties of the job

  • Providestrategic leadershipfor the FTSU service, ensuring it is accessible,inclusiveand trusted

  • Promote and embed apositive speaking up culturethrough visibility,engagementand training

  • Offerconfidential, impartial advice and supportto colleagues raising concerns

  • Ensureappropriate escalationandtimelyaction where concerns impact onpatient or staff safety

  • Lead the development and delivery of theFTSU strategy, aligned to national guidance and Trust priorities

  • Analyse themes and trends from FTSU data and provideassurance reporting to senior leadership and the Board

  • Build strong relationships with senior leaders and act as anexpert advisor on FTSU policy and practice

  • Support organisational learning and continuous improvement from concerns raised

  • Provide leadership and support to the FTSU Guardian team and Ambassador network

  • Please note that this Job Description is currently indicative pending a job evaluation review.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to master’s degree level or have equivalent experience of working at a senior strategic level within an NHS organisation.
  • Qualification or experience in: Counselling or mediation or Mental Health First aid
  • Registered with the National Guardian’s Office and up to date with foundation and refresher training

Desirable

  • Recognised clinical professional qualification and significant experience working in a clinical environment.

Previous experience (Paid/ Unpaid relevant to job)

Essential

  • Demonstrable senior-level experience
  • Significant experience of leading or supporting the Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) agenda, worker voice, psychological safety, or just culture principles.
  • Experience working within key stakeholders
  • Experience of managing complex, sensitive, and confidential issues

Skills, knowledge, ability

Essential

  • Knowledge of safeguarding and the ability to signpost staff to appropriate legal and protective support relating to worker protections and patient safety.
  • Comprehensive understanding of the FTSU agenda

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Closing Date: 16 August 2026

To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.