Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Participate in Safeguarding Adult investigations with partnership agencies.

• Maintain appropriate records in line with Adult Safeguarding policies.

• Work as a member of the Hospital Adult Safeguarding Team, providing professional nursing advice and support regarding Adult Safeguarding practice to health professionals employed by Bedford Hospital NHS Trust.

• Collaborate with multi-agency partners, developing effective working relationships and sound communication systems. Attend the Hospital Safeguarding Board meetings and subgroups as required to represent Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

• Work in collaboration with the police in investigations where the allegations may constitute a criminal offence under Joint Protocols.

• Provide advice and guidance in complex cases at strategy meetings/case conferences. This includes contributing to risk assessments and multi-agency protection plans for complex cases or where appropriate.

• Contribute appropriately to case management reviews, complaints, and the investigation of Serious Incidents.

• Support shared learning and promote the implementation of any changes required following a Safeguarding Adult Investigation.

• Contribute to the development and promotion of local, regional, and national strategic directions in Adult Safeguarding within the trust.

• Support Safeguarding Champions within both clinical and non-clinical areas to develop their role and practice within their area of work.

• Review and refresh Safeguarding Resource Files online.

• Participate in the Trust’s Safeguarding Boards and subgroups as required.

• Contribute to team meetings and safeguarding forums to promote Adult Safeguarding.

• Work collaboratively with other key professionals across the Trust and other stakeholders to share best practices and enhance the quality of care.

• Attend Operational/Quality Meetings as required to give feedback and accept referrals for review and support.

• Maintain the weekly Safeguarding Tracker in conjunction with the Adult Safeguarding Lead Nurse.

• Support the recording of data and report on the numbers and trends of safeguarding concerns within Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, and report on these as required.

• Support and lead annual audits and completion of action plans.

• Support the administration of safeguarding information and maintain the database.

• Represent the Trust at multi-agency meetings, including strategy, planning, and case conference meetings, alongside external forums such as VARAC, MARAC, etc.

Education, Training, and Development:

• Promote and contribute to adult safeguarding at all training levels and with all staff groups.

• Ensure the development, implementation, and monitoring of a robust training programme for all staff groups.

• Disseminate the learning from all alerts, cases, strategy meetings, serious concerns, and safeguarding adult reviews, and assist in the development of actions and implementation of recommendations for the Trust through key quality and governance meetings.

• Identify own learning and development needs in line with recognised best practice.

• Ensure that the Adult Safeguarding Lead, Head of Safeguarding, Executive Chief Nurse/Director of Nursing, and/or Medical Director are updated and kept informed about potential problems and options in a timely fashion.

• Take appropriate action to ensure that decisions and recommendations of individual cases are followed through.

• Support the development and implementation of internal written policies and procedures, and review them at regular intervals and in relation to any new guidance.

• Undertake reports as appropriate for internal/external purposes.