Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Outreach Freedom to Speak Up Guardian

The closing date is 23 September 2025

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced full-time Outreach Freedom to Speak Up Guardian (OFTSUG) based at Wycombe Hospital. This permanent full time Band 7 post is part of our established Freedom to Speak Up Team. Applicants must be NGO registered, trained, and have experience as a Band 7 FTSUG or advanced Band 6.

You will support colleagues to speak up without fear of detriment or blame, promoting a positive Speak Up culture and strengthening outreach. The role requires excellent listening skills, a strong understanding of Speaking Up processes, and the ability to actively engage with underrepresented voices to promote inclusivity.

The post involves significant outreach work, requires travel across all Trust sites and beyond as needed. Management experience and advanced concerns case handling at a senior level are essential and must be able to uphold strict confidentiality. You must have a demonstrable record of enabling people to speak up safely and you must be motivated and committed. You will deputise for the Lead Guardian when required.

We welcome applicants from all colleague groups with a passion for the Speaking Up agenda, committed to fostering a safe environment for raising concerns. The Lead Guardian endorses the Trust's commitment to equal opportunities, equality, and diversity.

Main duties of the job

The Outreach Freedom to Speak Up Guardian (OFTSUG) will work with the Lead Guardian, Head of Service, team and Trust colleagues to strengthen a positive speaking up culture across BHT. The role will involve some strategic, policy and governance work. The role supports delivery of high-quality FTSU services by identifying and addressing barriers, improving psychological safety and enabling staff to speak truth to power constructively.

Guardians help protect patient and colleague safety and experience, promote learning and foster an inclusive Trust wide Speaking Up culture. The OFTSUG will ensure concerns are heard, addressed and lead to improvement, whilst always upholding confidentiality.Acting in line with the Guardian values of Courage, Impartiality, Empathy and Learning, the postholder will enable colleagues to Speak Up safely. Active engagement of under-represented voices and delivering an accessible, visible high quality service is key.

The role involves creating and delivering presentations, promotion work, engaging effectively with staff at all levels, and strengthening psychological safety across teams. Applicants must have management experience, with clinical background desirable but not essential. A strong understanding of good governance, data informatics and information governance is required.

About us

Listen to why colleagues think we are a great place to work! -https://bit.ly/3DNEQfD

What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?

As part of our BHT family, you'll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
We offer flexible and agile workingopportunities,alongside your NHS benefits ofgenerous annual leave entitlement, pension andaccess toNHS discount schemes.
We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.

Why work for us?

We're committed to promoting inclusion and making sure all colleagues feel they belong. We encourage new colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply.
As an employer, we aim to create a workplace where differences are valued and colleagues treat one another with dignity and respect.
Greater diversity withinourBHT familyimprovespositive outcomes for the people and communities we serve.

What do we stand for?

Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
Our CARE values are collaborate, aspire, respect and enable.

Date posted

11 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

434-C7422178

Job locations

Wycombe Hospital

Queen Alexandra Road

High Wycombe

HP21 8AL

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a comprehensive list of responsibilities, duties, and experience please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.

If you are an internal applicant there is the option for secondment, all applicants must have the endorsement/support of their line manager prior to application.

If you have a disability that makes submitting this online application difficult and would like assistance, please contact us on bht.recruitment@nhs.net quoting the vacancy reference number.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a comprehensive list of responsibilities, duties, and experience please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.

If you are an internal applicant there is the option for secondment, all applicants must have the endorsement/support of their line manager prior to application.

If you have a disability that makes submitting this online application difficult and would like assistance, please contact us on bht.recruitment@nhs.net quoting the vacancy reference number.

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications and Training

Essential

Educated to Masters level or equivalent / Appropriate equivalent experience will be considered.
Professional registration / qualification e.g in medical, nursing, AHP, social work etc (A clinical background and understanding is desirable for this post and is helpful but not essential)

Experience

Essential

Proven track record of experience as a manager including people management, management of sometimes highly complex and sensitive concerns, situations and issues and an ability to appropriately asses risk.
Upholding excellent standards of information governance and confidentiality.
Handling sometimes highly complex and sometimes confrontational relationships or conflict to a high standard with positive outcomes

SKills and Knowledge

Essential

Knowledge and skills around the Speaking Up Agenda and able to demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting speaking up and to creating a positive speaking up culture and working in a way that demonstrates this.
Excellent skills in managing difficult conversations / of a complex nature and complex relationships
Good demonstrable leadership / management skills including a strong understanding of assessment of risk and appropriate escalation.
Proven track record of strong communication skills with people and ability to be flexible and comfortable in using different mediums.
Evidence of ability to project plan, implement and deliver and is organised

Desirable

Excellent report writing and record keeping skills, demonstrating a very good standard of written English.

Personal

Essential

Demonstrates being a strong team player

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications and Training

Essential

Educated to Masters level or equivalent / Appropriate equivalent experience will be considered.
Professional registration / qualification e.g in medical, nursing, AHP, social work etc (A clinical background and understanding is desirable for this post and is helpful but not essential)

Experience

Essential

Proven track record of experience as a manager including people management, management of sometimes highly complex and sensitive concerns, situations and issues and an ability to appropriately asses risk.
Upholding excellent standards of information governance and confidentiality.
Handling sometimes highly complex and sometimes confrontational relationships or conflict to a high standard with positive outcomes

SKills and Knowledge

Essential

Knowledge and skills around the Speaking Up Agenda and able to demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting speaking up and to creating a positive speaking up culture and working in a way that demonstrates this.
Excellent skills in managing difficult conversations / of a complex nature and complex relationships
Good demonstrable leadership / management skills including a strong understanding of assessment of risk and appropriate escalation.
Proven track record of strong communication skills with people and ability to be flexible and comfortable in using different mediums.
Evidence of ability to project plan, implement and deliver and is organised

Desirable

Excellent report writing and record keeping skills, demonstrating a very good standard of written English.

Personal

Essential

Demonstrates being a strong team player

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Wycombe Hospital

Queen Alexandra Road

High Wycombe

HP21 8AL

Employer's website

https://careers.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Wycombe Hospital

Queen Alexandra Road

High Wycombe

HP21 8AL

Employer's website

https://careers.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)