North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Freedom to Speak Up Guardian

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Job summary

The Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) Guardian will work alongside various stakeholders to embed a healthy speak up culture, where all colleagues are actively encouraged and enabled to speak up safely. The appointed Guardian shall provide an impartial and confidential supportive service to staff and where appropriate ensure advice and guidance is given to foster resolution and continuous improvement. Whilst the FTSU Guardian isemployed by the Trust and accountable to the Board, a key element of an effective Guardian is their responsibility to act autonomously of the organisation when necessary.

A key part of the role is also to engage and promote the guardian service and speaking up more generally, as part of the Trust's Staff Experience programme. This may include hosting events and awareness sessions, arranging and leading training sessions, recruiting and liaising with a network of ambassadors, working alongside regional andambulance sector peers, and developing and delivering a continuous communication and engagement plan which is fit for purpose for a 24/7, diverse and geographically spread organisation.

Main duties of the job

Accountable for improving the speaking up culture across the organisation.

Effectively manage the case load of Freedom to Speak Up concerns from initial contact to signposting and resolution.

Provide effective, empathetic support and guidance to all colleagues.

Ensure that any risks identified during FTSU processes are escalated in a timely and proportionate manner, ensuring that the safety of patients is paramount. The Guardian/s will always have access to the Board of Directors and a designated Executive and Non Executive Lead for F2SU.

Ensure that staff who speak up are supported and treated fairly.

Provide emotional support to colleagues whilst involved in speaking up.

About us

We employ 3,500 staff in 63 locations and serve a population of 2,600,000 in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, County Durham, and Tees over 3230 square miles.

Many people think the job of the ambulance service is to collect patients and take them to hospital, but we do much more!

Paramedic skills have developed hugely in recent years, meaning we carry out more treatment at the scene and en-route to hospital.

We have a dedicated clinical assessment service that allows us to provide patients with the most appropriate care from the beginning of the patient journey.

We have a specialised branch of the Trust called HART which deal with explosions or terrorist attacks.

Ultimately patients are the heart of everything that we do to support our mission of "safe, effective and responsive care for all".

We value and respect the diversity employees bring to our workplace. We recruit a workforce that reflects the community we serve, and welcome applications from people from all backgrounds. To ensure we deliver on our aims in relation to diversity and inclusion we assess ourselves against a range of frameworks. We are ENEI Gold employer, Disability Confident Leader, Dyslexia Smart Award employer, Dementia Friendly, and part of Mind Blue Light programme and the Race at Work Charter from the Princes Responsible Business Network and are achieving across all objectives in NHS Equality Delivery System.

Date posted

02 October 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£43,742 to £50,056 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

340-FSUG-09-23

Job locations

Agile working / cross site

Newcastle

NE15 8NY

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached Job Description for the full details of duties and responsibilities for this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached Job Description for the full details of duties and responsibilities for this role.

Person Specification

Education,Qualifications and Training

Essential

Educated to masters degree level in a relevant subject and/or relevant experience

Desirable

National Freedom to Speak Up training delivered by the NGO

Key Skills, Knowledge and Aptitude

Essential

Strong understanding of raising concerns including the barriers to raising concerns
Effective skills in mediation and facilitation
Effective skills in managing highly sensitive and confidential issues
Ability to hold senior colleagues to account to create a positive speaking up culture
Ability to develop, deliver and evaluate training in line with local and national requirements
Ability to develop rapport with colleagues at all levels, demonstrating compassion and understanding
IT Literacy and ability to use a variety of Microsoft Office applications
Advanced communication skills including effective verbal, nonverbal and written
Ability to facilitate conversations between staff of differing levels including manager and direct report.
Ability to support and speak for members of staff who do not feel able to speak for themselves whilst at the same time managing expectations

Desirable

Understand the Trust, its values, key priorities and challenges
Creative/design skills

Experience

Essential

Track record in supporting and listening to staff and in demonstrating the values of the Trust and the NHS constitution in day-to-day practice.
Demonstrable experience of working with teams and colleagues to improve staff experience positively
Experience of handling difficult situations professionally, setting boundaries and seeking support where necessary

Desirable

Mentoring skills

Disposition/Personal Attributes

Essential

Responsive and resilient
Compassionate, approachable, trustworthy and non-judgemental
Highly motivated and enthusiastic
Professional approach and image
Ability to maintain the confidentiality and security of information
Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy at all times
Excellent interpersonal skills

Person Specification

Education,Qualifications and Training

Essential

Educated to masters degree level in a relevant subject and/or relevant experience

Desirable

National Freedom to Speak Up training delivered by the NGO

Key Skills, Knowledge and Aptitude

Essential

Strong understanding of raising concerns including the barriers to raising concerns
Effective skills in mediation and facilitation
Effective skills in managing highly sensitive and confidential issues
Ability to hold senior colleagues to account to create a positive speaking up culture
Ability to develop, deliver and evaluate training in line with local and national requirements
Ability to develop rapport with colleagues at all levels, demonstrating compassion and understanding
IT Literacy and ability to use a variety of Microsoft Office applications
Advanced communication skills including effective verbal, nonverbal and written
Ability to facilitate conversations between staff of differing levels including manager and direct report.
Ability to support and speak for members of staff who do not feel able to speak for themselves whilst at the same time managing expectations

Desirable

Understand the Trust, its values, key priorities and challenges
Creative/design skills

Experience

Essential

Track record in supporting and listening to staff and in demonstrating the values of the Trust and the NHS constitution in day-to-day practice.
Demonstrable experience of working with teams and colleagues to improve staff experience positively
Experience of handling difficult situations professionally, setting boundaries and seeking support where necessary

Desirable

Mentoring skills

Disposition/Personal Attributes

Essential

Responsive and resilient
Compassionate, approachable, trustworthy and non-judgemental
Highly motivated and enthusiastic
Professional approach and image
Ability to maintain the confidentiality and security of information
Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy at all times
Excellent interpersonal skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Agile working / cross site

Newcastle

NE15 8NY

Employer's website

https://www.neas.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Agile working / cross site

Newcastle

NE15 8NY

Employer's website

https://www.neas.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)