Freedom to Speak Up Guardian inKettering inKettering PUBLISHED
WED 27 NOV 2024
Pivotal Role in Cultural Change, The FTSU Guardian plays a crucial role in fostering a compassionate, open, and transparent culture within the organization, enhancing overall staff experience.
Independent and Impartial Support, The guardian provides an impartial and confidential service, ensuring staff have a safe space to voice their concerns without fear of repercussions.
Empowerment and Support, The role is centered around empowering employees to speak up, particularly those facing barriers, thereby promoting inclusivity and safety across the Trust.
Collaboration with Leadership, The FTSU Guardian collaborates closely with leadership teams, building strong relationships that contribute to improved staff concerns and organizational response.
Contributions to Safety and Quality, The guardian helps ensure that any safety or quality concerns are promptly addressed, supporting the development of a just cultural work environment.
Networking Opportunities, The role includes participation in national and regional networks, providing avenues for professional growth and the sharing of best practices within the wider NHS.
The "Freedom to Speak Up Guardian" role at Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is crucial for promoting a culture of openness and support within the organisation. This independent position involves collaborating with leadership to create an environment where staff feel encouraged to speak up about concerns. Key responsibilities include providing confidential support, developing communication strategies to promote speaking up, engaging with various stakeholders, and reporting to the Trust Board and National Guardian Office. The Guardian will lead initiatives to enhance visibility and accessibility for all staff, especially those facing barriers to speaking up, while ensuring safety and quality in the workplace. The role also involves participation in national networks to share best practices and contribute to meaningful cultural change across the organisation.
The FTSU Guardian is a pivotal role in fostering a compassionate, open, and transparent culture at Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Acting independently, the FTSU Guardian works alongside leadership teams to promote a supportive, listening environment, aligned with the Trust's leadership behaviours and compassion commitment.
We are seeking a creative, resilient and inspired individual to play a pivotal role in ensuring we have a culture where speaking up is routine and welcomed. As our Freedom to Speak Up Guardian, supported by a network of FTSU Champions you will have four key functions: to provide:
- An impartial and confidential supportive service to colleagues and where appropriate advice and guidance is given to foster resolution and continuous improvement.
- Developing strategies and communications plans to promote speaking up.
- Presenting, engaging and promoting the guardian service and speaking up more generally, as part of the Trusts focus on Staff Experience.
- Reporting to committees, Trust Board and the National Guardian Office.
- Promote a Speaking-Up Culture: Lead initiatives to enhance the visibility of the FTSU Guardian and champions, ensuring all staff, especially those facing barriers, have access to support and are empowered to speak up safely.
- Support Staff Compassionately: Protect confidentiality, signpost, provide feedback, and offer direct support to individuals or groups who face challenges in raising concerns or managing issues that arise from speaking up.
- Collaborate with Leadership: Build strong, trusting relationships with the Board, Chief Executive, and Senior Leadership Team. Advise on themes and support the Board in responding to staff concerns, while championing the Trust's commitment to compassion, inclusivity and safety.
- Ensure Safety and Quality: Take prompt action when concerns impact safety or quality, and contribute to the development of a just culture, ensuring a supportive and inclusive environment for all staff.
- Contribute to National Networks: Engage in National Guardian Office activities, participate in regional FTSU networks, develop a communication plan for FTSU month, and share best practices to enhance the Guardian's role within the wider NHS.
This role provides the opportunity to contribute to patient and staff safety, build professional networks, and drive meaningful cultural change across the organisation.
About us
For further information on the advertised role, please refer to the job description located under the Supporting Documents heading. The full person specification can be accessed under the About You Section of the document.
More information related to this job opportunity, from jobsincare:
Here are 5 questions you could be
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1. Can you tell us about your understanding of the Freedom to Speak Up initiative and its importance in the NHS?
2. What motivates you to apply for the role of Freedom to Speak Up Guardian?
3. How do you define a compassionate and open culture? How do you see your role in fostering this environment?
4. What experience do you have in providing confidential support to individuals in a work environment? Can you provide an example?
5. Describe a time when you had to manage a sensitive issue regarding staff concerns. How did you handle it?
1. Can you tell us about your understanding of the Freedom to Speak Up initiative and its importance in the NHS?
2. What motivates you to apply for the role of Freedom to Speak Up Guardian?
3. How do you define a compassionate and open culture? How do you see your role in fostering this environment?
4. What experience do you have in providing confidential support to individuals in a work environment? Can you provide an example?
5. Describe a time when you had to manage a sensitive issue regarding staff concerns. How did you handle it?
More about the NHS
The National Health Service (NHS) is a cornerstone of healthcare in the United Kingdom, established in 1948 with the simple yet profound principle of providing healthcare to all citizens, free at the point of use. This revolutionary system aimed to ensure that access to medical services would not depend on an individual’s financial situation, a concept that has since become fundamental to British societal values. Learn more...
Useful skills for a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian:
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To work as a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian in the UK, you'll need a combination of specific skills, knowledge, and personal attributes. Here are some key skills and qualities that are often important for this role:
1. Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential for effectively engaging with staff, listening to their concerns, and conveying information clearly.
2. Interpersonal Skills: Building trust and rapport with staff is crucial, so having excellent interpersonal skills can help in fostering a safe environment for speaking up.
3. Empathy and Compassion: The ability to understand and relate to the feelings and experiences of others is important for supporting staff who may be anxious or fearful about speaking up.
4. Problem-Solving Skills: You should be able to identify issues and think critically about how to address them, implementing solutions that promote a safer and more open work environment.
5. Confidentiality and Integrity: It's vital to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion. Being trustworthy is essential for this role.
6. Knowledge of Policies and Procedures: Familiarity with relevant organizational policies, whistleblowing procedures, and the legal framework surrounding speaking up is crucial.
7. Conflict Resolution Skills: Being able to manage and resolve conflicts effectively can help address issues that may arise from speaking up.
8. Training and Support Skills: You may be involved in training staff on the importance of speaking up and how to do so effectively, so skills in education and facilitation can be beneficial.
9. Resilience: The role can be challenging, and you may encounter resistance. Being resilient and able to cope with pressure is important.
10. Organizational Skills: The ability to manage your time effectively and handle multiple cases or issues at once is essential.
11. Advocacy: Being an effective advocate for staff concerns and a champion for a speaking-up culture within the organization is key.
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