Associate Director of Safeguarding - Adults

Safeguarding Is Everyone’s Responsibility. Leadership Is Ours.

At NELFT, safeguarding is not a function it is a core part of how we deliver safe, compassionate and equitable care.

We are seeking an exceptional safeguarding leader to join us as Associate Director of Nursing for Safeguarding Adults.

The role is critical in strengthening our culture of safety, learning and accountability, ensuring that every person we serve especially the most vulnerable is protected, heard and supported. The roles are core part of us living our values we are kind , we are respectful and we work together with our communities .

As Associate Director of Nursing – Safeguarding, you will:

• Provide expert leadership and oversight for safeguarding across the Trust
• Ensure robust safeguarding systems, policies and governance are in place and effective
• Lead on serious incident reviews, learning and assurance
• Work in partnership with local authorities, ICBs, police and system partners
• Support staff to feel confident in recognising, escalating and managing safeguarding concerns
• Embed a culture where speaking up is safe and expected

You will play a key role in ensuring safeguarding is not just compliant but compassionate, proactive and embedded in everyday practice.

We are moving beyond compliance to a model where:

• Safeguarding is everyone’s business
• Learning is continuous
• Practice is reflective and trauma-informed

You will operate across organisational boundaries:

• Influencing place-based safeguarding partnerships
• Representing the Trust at strategic safeguarding forums
• Strengthening multi-agency collaboration

You will:

• Support and develop safeguarding expertise across nursing and MDT teams
• Build capability through training, supervision and leadership
• Ensure safeguarding is embedded in clinical decision-making

We know that people are safest where they feel they belong.

You will help ensure:

• Vulnerable individuals are seen, heard and protected
• Staff feel supported to do the right thing
• Inequalities in safeguarding outcomes are recognised and addressed

We are seeking leaders who:

• Have significant experience in safeguarding leadership
• Bring strong knowledge of statutory frameworks, legislation and best practice
• Have experience of serious incident review, governance and assurance
• Can operate effectively at senior and system level
• Are confident influencing across complex partnerships

And who lead with:

• Integrity
• Compassion
• Courage
• Accountability

• A Trust rated Good
  , progressing towards Outstanding
• Strong focus on quality, safety and continuous improvement
• Commitment to relational care and belonging
• Investment in clinical leadership and professional development
• A culture where staff are supported to speak up and lead change

We believe:

Safeguarding is not just about protection it is about dignity, voice and belonging.

If you are passionate about making a difference for the most vulnerable and leading safeguarding at scale we want to hear from you.

NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes.

The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.