Job responsibilities
For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.
More detail about the role
You will be working core office hours, based at our Exeter location, with one day a week at Plymouth and Truro. Day-to-day, your focus will be the management of the service and your team. You will lead the daily case management calls, provide line management (121s, appraisals, training) to a team of nurses based in three sites across Devon and Cornwall. Supervision of the team is a vital aspect of the role, ensuring clinical standards are met along with the welfare of colleagues.
Once you have gained your forensic examiner qualification, youll be able to take on clinical duties to enable you to maintain your competencies, and have first-hand experience to support your team.
The role offers the chance to:
- develop our Plymouth and Truro sites to meet the new forensic standards
- integrate the SARC service within the Trusts senior nursing team network
- establish a professional network for adopting and sharing best practice for the benefit of service users and relevant external agencies
- shape the team and service delivery (for instance consider the introduction of Assistant Practitioners)
- work with a wide group of agencies to advocate for our service users
About Devon and Cornwall SARC service
Our staff are specially trained to support anyone who has experienced rape or sexual assault, either recently or in the past. We provide care and counselling to service users when they need it the most.
Our adult service is based out of three secure locations in Exeter, Plymouth, and Truro. The Exeter site is the only SARC in England to be accredited to meet the new forensic medical examination standards. It is also the base for our paediatric service, which is a centre of excellence.
SARC provides a 24/7 service, 365 days a year, receiving referrals from Devon & Cornwall Police and self-referrals from members of the public.
About the SARC teamThe adult service is nurse-led, with highly specialist knowledge, skills, and experience providing trauma-based care to our service users. The team consists of Forensic Nurse Examiners, Crisis Support Workers, a Practice Educator, and a Safeguarding Lead.
The medically-led Paediatrics service consists of Consultants, Specialty Doctors, Registered Nurses, Assistant Practitioners, and Crisis Support Workers.
The senior leadership are very experienced and supportive, and include the Devon Sexual Health team. With safeguarding being such a vital aspect of SARC, we are fortunate that our Associate Director of Safeguarding has working knowledge of the service being a previous postholder of this role.
About you
Were looking for an experienced leader who can support a geographically diverse team, remotely and in-person. Youll need to have a full driving licence and the ability to travel between locations.
Experience working in SARC is not essential. However, youll need to be passionate about the service we provide - delivering exceptional trauma-based care to vulnerable populations (domestic violence, alcohol/substance abuse, etc,) and supporting colleagues with secondary trauma.
Your professional background may include experience in one of the following areas:
- womens health
- custody suite
- sexual health service
- prison service
- mental health service
- safeguarding
- NHS direct
Why join us?
Our established and supportive senior leadership team, have been in post since service inception. They have a successful track record of gaining grant funding for the development and improvement of the service. Your wider leadership and support network include the Devon Sexual Health team who have close links to the service and our Associate Director or Safeguarding who was a previous postholder of this role.
Focus on wellbeing for colleagues is a core aspect of SARC. Supervision is provided internally through the team and with external providers, to individuals and as a group. As well as being able to draw upon the trust-wide wellbeing programme and initiatives.
Training and development opportunities are in high supply here. Whether you are interested in clinical or leadership development courses, we'll support you in finding the best way to grow. We actively encourage CPD and you will have an opportunity to spend time with our range of specialists as part of this.
Innovation is central at the Royal Devon, we were the first trust in the UK to use our electronic record in the community. The Exeter SARC is the first in England to meet the new forensics standards, with plans in development to upgrade our Truro and Plymouth centres.
A healthy work-life balance is essential and Devon is a great place to enjoy it. We have a flexible working policy that we are happy to discuss to establish suitable options for you and the department.
A great place to live and work Exeter, the base location for this role, is a vibrant university city with lots of recreational opportunities and direct train links to London and the north.
We are near to two National Parks Dartmoor and Exmoor, and beautiful world-class beaches enable a fantastic lifestyle. Dont just take our word for it, the Telegraph recently ranked Devon as the best county in England, scoring highly for natural wonders, history and culture in their readers poll.
Working Pattern: This is a full-time position working 37.5 hours. The on-call rota for this role is one week every 6-8 weeks for non-clinical service needs.
Interview Date: Week commencing 12th May 2025
For further information please contact: Emily Simpson, Executive and Specialist Recruitment Lead, emily.simpson21@nhs.net or 07958 931414.
As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
Benefits
We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.
This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.
Looking after you is important to us.
We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.
If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.
You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.
Salary is not the only financial benefit
You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.
You will also have access to other benefits including:
National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
Car lease schemes.
The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
Cycle to work scheme
These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.
