# Lead Freedom to Speak Up Guardian > NHS job listing from Job Clerk for South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust. ## Canonical URLs - **HTML:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/lead-freedom-to-speak-up-guardian/b531098d-73e9-41ef-becc-9018b7101d51 - **Markdown:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/lead-freedom-to-speak-up-guardian/b531098d-73e9-41ef-becc-9018b7101d51.md ## Summary - **Status:** Live - **Employer:** South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust - **Town:** Exeter - **Region:** South West - **Country:** England - **Profession:** Manager and corporate - **Salary:** £57,528 - £64,750 per annum (Indicative) - **Contract type:** Permanent - **Employment type:** Part time, Flexible working, 30 hours per week - **Closing date:** 2026-08-20T22:59:00.000Z - **Posted:** 2026-08-03T09:10:37.639Z - **Source information URL:** https://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/UK/Devon/Exeter/South_Western_Ambulance_Service_NHS_Foundation_Trust/Clinical_Nonclinical_NHS_Manager/Clinical_Nonclinical_NHS_Manager-v8200722 - **Application URL:** https://apps.trac.jobs/job-advert/8200722?ShowJobAdvert=&feedid=9002 - **Employer website:** https://www.swast.nhs.uk ## Job Content ### Job overview We are seeking an exceptional and compassionate leader to join our Quality Directorate as Lead Freedom to Speak Up Guardian (FTSU). This is a pivotal role responsible for leading and shaping the Trust’s Freedom to Speak Up function. The post holder will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight, ensuring colleagues feel safe, supported and empowered to raise concerns. The role plays a vital part in promoting a transparent, inclusive and learning-focused culture, directly contributing to the safety and wellbeing of both colleagues and patients. Working independently and impartially, the Lead Guardian will operate at both strategic and frontline levels, engaging with colleagues across the organisation while influencing senior leaders and the Trust Board to strengthen a positive speaking up culture.   This is a part time position at 30 hours per week. ### Main duties of the job - Provide strategic leadership for the FTSU service, ensuring it is accessible, inclusive and trusted - Promote and embed a positive speaking up culture through visibility, engagement and training - Offer confidential, impartial advice and support to colleagues raising concerns - Ensure appropriate escalation and timely action where concerns impact on patient or staff safety - Lead the development and delivery of the FTSU strategy, aligned to national guidance and Trust priorities - Analyse themes and trends from FTSU data and provide assurance reporting to senior leadership and the Board - Build strong relationships with senior leaders and act as an expert advisor on FTSU policy and practice - Support organisational learning and continuous improvement from concerns raised - Provide leadership and support to the FTSU Guardian team and Ambassador network - Please note that this Job Description is currently indicative pending a job evaluation review. ### Detailed job description and main responsibilities For further information about this role please see the attached job description and person specification. ### Applicant requirements The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions. ## Person Specification ### Skills, knowledge, ability **Essential** - Knowledge of safeguarding and the ability to signpost staff to appropriate legal and protective support relating to worker protections and patient safety. - Comprehensive understanding of the FTSU agenda ### Education and qualifications **Essential** - Educated to master’s degree level or have equivalent experience of working at a senior strategic level within an NHS organisation. - Qualification or experience in: Counselling or mediation or Mental Health First aid - Registered with the National Guardian’s Office and up to date with foundation and refresher training **Desirable** - Recognised clinical professional qualification and significant experience working in a clinical environment. ### Previous experience (Paid/ Unpaid relevant to job) **Essential** - Demonstrable senior‑level experience - Significant experience of leading or supporting the Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) agenda, worker voice, psychological safety, or just culture principles. - Experience working within key stakeholders - Experience of managing complex, sensitive, and confidential issues ## Documents - [swast code of conduct (pdf, 1.3mb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=2579) - [lead freedom to speak up guardian jd (pdf, 488.3kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?vdoc=10506600) ## Agent Notes - This Markdown page is generated from the same Job Clerk job record as the HTML job detail page. - Use the canonical HTML URL for user-facing references. - Use the application URL when the user wants to apply on the source NHS site.