Safeguarding Specialist Practitioner – Children and Young People(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

Join a Trust That Puts Care First

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is inviting applications for a passionate and experienced Safeguarding Specialist Practitioner to strengthen its commitment to protecting children and young people.

With over 5,500 colleagues, the Trust is widely recognised as an outstanding place to work. Rated “Outstanding” for care by the Care Quality Commission, and repeatedly ranked among the best acute Trusts in the East Midlands through the National NHS Staff Survey, Sherwood Forest Hospitals fosters a culture where staff wellbeing, inclusion, and professional growth are valued as highly as patient care.

About the Role

This is a senior specialist position focused on ensuring high standards of safeguarding practice across the organisation. You will play a key leadership role in strengthening safeguarding systems, advising colleagues, and embedding best practice throughout clinical services.

Your work will directly influence how children and young people are protected, supported, and heard within healthcare settings.

Key Responsibilities

Safeguarding Leadership

• Ensure safeguarding processes are robust and aligned with clinical governance frameworks.
• Promote excellence in safeguarding standards across the Trust.

Expert Advice & Support

• Provide specialist safeguarding guidance to clinicians and managers.
• Offer practical support for complex safeguarding cases.
• Facilitate multi-agency collaboration and planning.

Supervision & Training

• Maintain and oversee safeguarding clinical supervision processes.
• Deliver Trust-wide safeguarding education and training programmes.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding training strategies.

Policy & Governance

• Work with Named Professionals to develop evidence-based safeguarding policies.
• Contribute to audit, standard setting, and quality improvement initiatives.

Communication

• Present complex safeguarding information clearly in written reports and verbal briefings.
• Engage confidently in formal meetings and multi-agency settings.

About the Organisation

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust delivers acute and community healthcare to over 420,000 people across Mansfield, Ashfield, Newark, Sherwood, and surrounding areas.

King’s Mill Hospital is notably recognised as the only NHS-run hospital in the East Midlands rated “Outstanding” by the CQC. The Trust is committed to diversity and inclusion and strongly welcomes applications from individuals identifying as Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, ensuring its workforce reflects the communities it serves.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• Registered professional (RGN / RSCN / Social Worker / Allied Health Professional).
• Degree in a related field or equivalent advanced knowledge.
• Teaching qualification.
• Safeguarding supervision training.

Knowledge & Skills

• In-depth understanding of national safeguarding agendas and the Think Family approach.
• Knowledge of safeguarding children and adults frameworks.
• Clinical governance, audit, and policy development expertise.
• Strong analytical, reflective, and communication skills.
• Ability to self-manage workload and meet deadlines.

Experience

• Significant senior-level experience in safeguarding practice.
• Awareness of current safeguarding policy and clinical developments.
• Additional Requirements
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable experience includes interagency working, safeguarding practice reviews, court attendance, and complaints management.

Visa & Sponsorship Information

Not all roles at the Trust qualify for sponsorship. Applicants should review the official shortage occupation and visa eligibility guidance before applying.

Relevant government resources:

• Skilled Worker visa overview
• Eligible healthcare occupations list
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) guidance
• Safeguarding statutory guidance (Working Together to Safeguard Children)
• Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order)

Changes in Home Office guidance (from 9 April) may affect visa switching eligibility, even where roles appear on the shortage occupation list.

Safeguarding & Compliance

This post involves regulated activity and requires an enhanced DBS check. The Trust will arrange and initially fund the check, with cost recovery through payroll once employment commences.

All applications must be truthful and reflect genuine experience and qualifications. Misrepresentation, including unverified AI-generated content presented as personal experience, may lead to disqualification.

Why Apply?

This role offers the opportunity to influence safeguarding culture at a strategic level while remaining grounded in frontline support. You will work in a clinically led organisation where safeguarding is not simply a compliance requirement — it is a core value.