Job summary
- Main area
- Clinical / Non-clinical NHS Manager
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 202-8053422
- Employer
- South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
- Town
- Exeter
- Salary
- £57,528 - £64,750 per annum (Indicative)
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 28/06/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Lead Freedom to Speak Up Guardian
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Job overview
We are seeking an exceptional and compassionate leader to join our Quality Directorate as Lead 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, inclusive and learning-focused culture, directly contributing to the safety and wellbeing of both colleagues and patients.
Working independently and impartially, the Lead Guardian will operate at 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
-
Provide strategic leadership for the FTSU service, ensuring it is accessible, inclusive and trusted
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Promote and embed a positive speaking up culture through visibility, engagement and training
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Offer confidential, impartial advice and support to colleagues raising concerns
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Ensure appropriate escalation and timely action where concerns impact on patient or staff safety
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Lead the development and delivery of the FTSU strategy, aligned to national guidance and Trust priorities
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Analyse themes and trends from FTSU data and provide assurance reporting to senior leadership and the Board
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Build strong relationships with senior leaders and act as an expert advisor on FTSU policy and practice
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Support organisational learning and continuous improvement from concerns raised
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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.
Working for our organisation
Working for us is an experience like no other. We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England of 10,000 square miles and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day.
We remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five-year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core.
At the heart of our beautiful and diverse region we employ over 6000 people and are supported by over 575 volunteers.
If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples’ lives, then we would love to hear from you.
Benefits
- Competitive NHS salary
- A standard working week of 37.5 hours
- Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
- Pay enhancements for out of hours, shift and overtime working
- Generous Pension Scheme
- Career and salary progression
- Car leasing scheme (this is subject to your pay not falling below the National Living Wage)
- Free parking across Trust sites
- Cycle-to-work and other salary sacrifice schemes (this is subject to your pay not falling below the National Living Wage)
- Staff networks
- Access to a wide range of discounts from various organisations across the UK
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For further information about this role please see the attached job description and person specification.
Person specification
Education and qualifications
Essential criteria
- 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 criteria
- Recognised clinical professional qualification and significant experience working in a clinical environment.
Previous experience (Paid/ Unpaid relevant to job)
Essential criteria
- 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 criteria
- 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
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Charley Day 30449987
- Job title
- PA to Deputy Directors of Quality & Clinical Care
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Additional information
Please contact Charley Day to schedule a call with Lisa Vogwill, Deputy Director of Nursing & Quality.
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