Freedom to Speak Up Guardian

The Freedom to Speak Up Guardian (FTSUG) is responsible for developing, implementing and leading on the Trusts vision and strategy for speaking up. They will provide leadership of FTSU across the Trust, identifying cases, escalating as required and ensuring that appropriate and timely signposting and advice is given.
The post holder will be a highly visible advocate in promoting and driving forward the FTSU agenda across the Trust, improving the experience of staff to speak up by providing specialist advice and support as well as identifying and addressing any barriers to speaking up. The Trust recognises the intrinsic link of employee safety to patient safety and good employee experience to good patient experience. This role will support development of our culture to improve patient and employee safety and experience.
The post holder will also work closely with colleagues in the People Function to support a positive just and learning culture in the Trust as well as holding responsibility for internal and external reporting of themes/trends and learning in line with requirements and set time frames.

Provide leadership, guidance in relation to FTSU in the Trust, and developing the Safe Space Champion Network, ensuring they are well supported and have the ability to support employees to speak up.

Review the existing FTSUG provision in the Trust and ensure that the FTSUG represents the diversity of all staff groups and protected characteristics and that all staff have access to someone outside their immediate management chain who can advise and support them.

Ensure staff are aware of, and have access to the FTSU to support and help them speak up, ensuring that inclusion for all staff roles and backgrounds is at the core of the service.

Work in partnership with the communications team to develop and deliver communication and engagement interventions.

Work closely with the Chief Executive, Chief People Officer, Deputy Chief People Officer (OD), Head of Organisational Development and lead NED for FTSUG to develop a vision and long-term strategy for
speaking up and to be responsible for the implementation and delivery of the strategy.

Escalate any patient or staff safety concerns to the Chief People Officer immediately so that appropriate and timely action can be taken.

Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the FTSUG processes and service across the organisation.

Develop personal networks and peer relationships contributing to wider networking, including the Regional FTSUG network in order to share learning and best practice.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is a large acute hospital Trust in the county of Kent.

The Trust provides a full range of general hospital services and some areas of specialist complex care to around 760,000 people living in the south part of West Kent and the north part of East Sussex.

The Trust’s core catchment areas are Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells and their surrounding boroughs. We work from two main clinical sites: Maidstone Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury. Tunbridge Wells Hospital opened in 2011 and provides single rooms with en-suites for all in-patients – the first of its kind in the country.

We employ more than 7,000 full and part-time staff in a huge range of clinical and non-clinical roles across both of our hospital sites.

Would you like to work flexibly? In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.

Once your pre-employment checks have been completed you will be contacted by Recruitment to arrange your start date which will be in line with one of our Corporate Inductions.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Standard Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)

At MTW, we seek to develop a culture where everyone can reach their full potential with opportunities to grow and develop their career. We recognise and value the unique contributions that each of our staff bring, delivering the best quality care and service to our patients. We are committed to being a diverse employer and strive to reflect everyone in our local communities. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences and celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that will make our Trust the best place to work.

Interview Date: TBC