North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.
We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.
Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.
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Job overview
We are looking for an experienced safeguarding professional to join the newly formed Bristol NHS Foundation Trust as Deputy Named Nurse for Safeguarding Children.
Working closely with the Named Nurse and Lead for Safeguarding Children, the postholder will play a key role in providing specialist safeguarding leadership, advice and assurance across the organisation. This is an opportunity to work across a diverse range of acute and specialist services and to help shape consistent, high-quality safeguarding practice as our new Trust develops.
We are looking for an experienced, motivated and compassionate practitioner with significant safeguarding children expertise, strong leadership and communication skills, and the confidence to influence, challenge, and support practice across a complex organisation.
Advert
The Deputy Named Nurse will support the Named Nurse and Lead for Safeguarding Children in the delivery of the Trust's statutory safeguarding responsibilities. The postholder will provide expert advice and professional leadership to staff managing complex safeguarding concerns and promote high standards of safeguarding practice across the organisation.
Key responsibilities will include providing safeguarding supervision; supporting the development and delivery of safeguarding training; contributing to policies, procedures and service development; and supporting safeguarding assurance, audit, performance monitoring and reporting.
The postholder will contribute to statutory safeguarding reviews, including Rapid Reviews and Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews, and will support the management of allegations against staff where there is a safeguarding children element.
A key part of the role will be developing strong relationships with clinical teams, senior leaders and multi-agency partners, representing the Trust within relevant safeguarding forums and contributing to a culture of professional curiosity, constructive challenge, learning and continuous improvement.
Working for our organisation
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is a newly formed organisation, bringing together colleagues and services across Bristol and Weston. This is an exciting time to join us and help shape an organisation committed to delivering high-quality, safe and equitable care.
We are committed to an inclusive culture where there is no place for discrimination. We listen to the experiences of our minoritized colleagues, recognise where we need to do better and are committed to meaningful change. Respect, dignity, civility, compassion and care guide how we treat our patients, colleagues and partners. We know that patient safety, experience and outcomes improve when our people feel valued, empowered and supported.
Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility. We are committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults from harm. All colleagues are expected to follow national and local safeguarding arrangements and demonstrate the competencies relevant to their role.
We are also committed to sustainable healthcare, with all colleagues playing a part in supporting our net zero carbon and biodiversity ambitions.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Support the Named Nurse and Lead for Safeguarding Children in providing professional leadership for the safeguarding children agenda.
Provide expert advice and support in complex safeguarding situations, including risk assessment, escalation and decision-making.
Lead and contribute to safeguarding children training, supervision and workforce development.
Line manage and provide professional support to members of the safeguarding team.
Develop and maintain effective relationships with clinical teams, senior leaders and multi-agency safeguarding partners.
Represent the Trust at relevant multi-agency safeguarding meetings, forums and partnership arrangements.
Contribute to Rapid Reviews, Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews and other statutory safeguarding reviews.
Support the management of allegations against staff and liaison with Local Authority Designated Officers (LADO).
Contribute to the development, implementation and review of safeguarding policies, procedures and guidance.
Lead identified areas of the safeguarding children workplan and support service development and continuous improvement.
Support safeguarding governance and assurance through audit, performance monitoring, data analysis and reporting.
Contribute to quarterly and annual safeguarding reporting and provide assurance on the quality and effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements.
Promote learning from safeguarding incidents, reviews, audits and research and support its translation into clinical practice.
Provide professional challenge and influence practice to ensure that children and young people are effectively safeguarded across all Trust services.
Promote the voice and lived experience of children, young people and families within safeguarding practice and service development.
We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.
· As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
· The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
· BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
· To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
· If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
· The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
· By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
· Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.
IMPORTANT:
Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.
Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification
Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.
As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.
When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.
Deputy Named Nurse for Safeguarding Children in Bristol employer: BFT
BFT East Croydon is an exceptional employer that prioritises individual member experiences and fosters a supportive, inclusive work culture. As a Head Coach, you will not only lead high-energy sessions but also have the opportunity to develop your coaching team, ensuring personal growth and career progression within one of the fastest-growing fitness franchises globally. With reliable pay, free training, and a focus on long-term success, BFT East Croydon is the perfect place for passionate coaches looking to make a meaningful impact.
