Location
London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£65,261 per annum

About the Role
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts, providing a full range of hospital and community services across south London, including specialist care in cancer, renal, orthopaedic, respiratory, and cardiovascular services. The Trust also includes the largest dental school in Europe and world-class facilities such as the £160 million Cancer Centre and Evelina London Children’s Hospital.

The Deputy Freedom to Speak Up Guardian plays a vital role in protecting patient safety and the quality of care, improving staff experience, and promoting a culture of learning and continuous improvement. This role supports staff in raising concerns, addresses barriers to speaking up, and works with the Board to foster a positive speaking up culture.

Working closely with the Lead Freedom to Speak Up Guardian, the Deputy Guardian operates independently, impartially, and objectively to provide advice and support on raising concerns. They also support the Ambassadors for Speaking Up, ensuring they receive appropriate guidance and have the ability to escalate unresolved issues.

The post-holder will develop and maintain robust governance and assurance processes, including reporting mechanisms to the Trust Board and relevant sub-committees. This role requires a highly visible presence, promoting openness and timely responses to concerns, and collaborating with teams such as Organisational Development, HR, and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion to align culture and staff support initiatives.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust comprises five renowned hospitals and community services, with a strong tradition of clinical excellence, research, and innovation. The Trust is part of King’s Health Partners and employs around 23,700 staff, committed to delivering high quality, safe, and efficient care.

Experience
- Extensive senior-level experience in a large organisation within a political environment, engaging effectively with stakeholders
- Experience working in multi-professional NHS or social care teams
- Proven ability to work with people at all organisational levels, including senior leaders
- Experience writing and presenting reports to senior committees and Boards

About you
- Ability to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive, and contentious information
- Skilled negotiator with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues
- Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate and resolve problems proactively
- Able to provide honest, timely, and values-based feedback across all levels
- Flexible in communication style to suit different situations

Qualifications
- Educated to master’s level and/or demonstrable equivalent experience
- Evidence of significant personal and professional development
- Awareness of current NHS and government strategic initiatives and policies
- Understanding of the Francis Enquiry, Freedom to Speak Up, NHS People Promise, and related cultural change and organisational development issues
- Knowledge of safeguarding principles and practice
- Awareness of Equality and Diversity initiatives supporting inclusion