Job summary The Cheshire West Designated Professional for Safeguarding Adults is a key leadership post in the local safeguarding partnership which forms part of Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board. The primary function of the role is to ensure our Integrated Care Board discharges their full responsibilities for safeguarding adults in this local authority footprint. The post holder is based in the geographical location of Cheshire West and works as a lead partner alongside local authority and police colleagues. The Designated Professional for Safeguarding Adults has strategic oversight for health safeguarding duties in Cheshire West and a relentless focus on continuous improvement of the adult safeguarding arrangements within the local partnership. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate skill and expertise in safeguarding adults. The Designated Professional for Adult Safeguarding is a clinical expert and a strategic leader who provides a vital source of safeguarding advice and support and direction to colleagues across the local partnership. Main duties of the job Provides professional leadership with regards to Adult Safeguarding, acting as a role model across health services in Cheshire West. Acts as a Clinical Leader on adult safeguarding for and on behalf of the ICB, advising the Cheshire West Associate Director of Quality and Safety Improvement and Partnership colleagues on any recommendations for change. Undertakes Adult Individual Management Review for Safeguarding Adults Reviews and Domestic Homicide Reviews in conjunction with the Named GP on behalf of Cheshire and Merseyside ICB reporting to the Associate Director of Quality and Safety Improvement in Cheshire West. Develops and implements all appropriate strategies, policies, cross partnership co-ordination and programme development in relation to adult safeguarding. Reviews and evaluates strategies, policies and services relating to adult safeguarding. This includes analysis of changes in Government legislation and policy guidance; consideration of advice, analysis, and good practice from "think tanks" and research bodies, government associations, lobby groups etc. Recommends changes in policy to the Associate Director of Quality and Safety Improvement, the ICB and Senior Leadership Team as required. Ensures that the ICB's adult safeguarding strategy, policies and procedures are implemented and delivered in accordance with good equalities and diversity practice. About us Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System (ICS) is a highly complex organisation serving a population of over 2.5 million people across 9 Places (Boroughs including local Authorities), 17 NHS Provider organisations, 51 Primary Care Networks plus North West Ambulance service as well as third sector and voluntary organisations. Cheshire and Merseyside is the third largest ICS in the country.From a demographic perspective, there are some real challenges within Cheshire and Merseyside. 33% of the population of Cheshire and Merseyside live in the most deprived 20% of neighbourhoods in England. In addition, the population overall suffers from some of the poorest health outcomes in England. The postholder will be based in the geographical location of Cheshire East and West and will work closely with the Designated Professionals for Safeguarding Adults across NHS Cheshire & Merseyside ICS as part of a wider enthusiastic and dedicated safeguarding team. The post holder will provide a key leadership role for Safeguarding Adults across the Health Economy and Safeguarding Partnership and will be essential in ensuring that the Integrated Care Board (ICB) fulfils their statutory safeguarding duties. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate skill and expertise in Safeguarding Adults. Date posted 21 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8b Salary £62,215 to £72,293 a year pa Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 493-ICB-7019934-A Job locations Chester Countess of Chester Health Park Chester CH2 1HJ Job description Job responsibilities As part of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside safeguarding function, the Designated Professional Safeguarding Adults will fulfil the following key functions: Strategic oversight for health safeguarding in Cheshire West Place. Demonstrate expertise and be embedded in the clinical decision-making of the organization alongside the Local Authority Work within local health economies to influence local thinking and practice and the capacity to do so. Support the Safeguarding Adults agenda across and on behalf of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside. Support the wider adults at risk agenda, relating to people who do not meet Care Act eligibility for safeguarding, in terms of advising commissioners, stakeholders and partners around pathways and initiatives for long term prevention strategies and risk management for groups of high-risk service users, such as those who are homeless, self-neglect and frequently use services. Work closely with members of the Cheshire & Merseyside ICB Safeguarding Teams across neighbouring Places, to share learning, provide sharing of best practice and peer supervision Be responsible for developing the evidence base and performance information to support the Cheshire West Place Associate Director of Quality and Safety Improvement to provide assurance to the ICB Quality & Performance Committee that NHS commissioned services are discharging their safeguarding responsibilities effectively. Work as part of and in conjunction with the wider Quality and Safety Team to ensure that services are safe, risks are reduced, assurances are received, and prevention is key where adults at risk access services. Continually ensure improvements in quality and arrangements for safeguarding adults at risk, in partnership with a range of agencies and services. Enabling and ensuring that the ICB complies with the statutory legislation and guidance that underpins Safeguarding Adults.Provide input to system oversight for safeguarding when there are serious safeguarding concerns. Responsible for providing expertise, professional leadership, advice, support, and expert guidance in respect of safeguarding, adults, Domestic Abuse, Mental Capacity Act (MCA), Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards / Liberty Protection Safeguards, knife crime, modern slavery and the Prevent agenda to the Cheshire West health economy. In particular within NHS and independent hospitals, residential and nursing care home settings, General Practice, as well as throughout community settings and will work closely with the relevant Local Authorities at place to seek assurance that the protection of adults at risk of abuse is achieved. Work with providers of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB commissioned services to ensure that adults at risk are safe and supporting the development and implementation of a cohesive, organisation wide adult safeguarding strategy which reflects national policy, local guidance, and best practice. Communicate and provide highly complex information regarding safeguarding across the health economy to a range of internal and external stakeholders, including presenting highly complex information about projects, initiatives, and services to a formal setting such as the Adult Safeguarding Boards. Work with Local Safeguarding Adults Boards to ensure communication and governance processes are in place between the ICB and Local Authorities Ensure all services commissioned to deliver NHS funded care provide a comprehensive service to safeguard adults at risk, through provision of informed and evidence-based advice and training and through supervision services for all professional disciplines across Cheshire West Place. Job description Job responsibilities As part of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside safeguarding function, the Designated Professional Safeguarding Adults will fulfil the following key functions: Strategic oversight for health safeguarding in Cheshire West Place. Demonstrate expertise and be embedded in the clinical decision-making of the organization alongside the Local Authority Work within local health economies to influence local thinking and practice and the capacity to do so. Support the Safeguarding Adults agenda across and on behalf of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside. Support the wider adults at risk agenda, relating to people who do not meet Care Act eligibility for safeguarding, in terms of advising commissioners, stakeholders and partners around pathways and initiatives for long term prevention strategies and risk management for groups of high-risk service users, such as those who are homeless, self-neglect and frequently use services. Work closely with members of the Cheshire & Merseyside ICB Safeguarding Teams across neighbouring Places, to share learning, provide sharing of best practice and peer supervision Be responsible for developing the evidence base and performance information to support the Cheshire West Place Associate Director of Quality and Safety Improvement to provide assurance to the ICB Quality & Performance Committee that NHS commissioned services are discharging their safeguarding responsibilities effectively. Work as part of and in conjunction with the wider Quality and Safety Team to ensure that services are safe, risks are reduced, assurances are received, and prevention is key where adults at risk access services. Continually ensure improvements in quality and arrangements for safeguarding adults at risk, in partnership with a range of agencies and services. Enabling and ensuring that the ICB complies with the statutory legislation and guidance that underpins Safeguarding Adults.Provide input to system oversight for safeguarding when there are serious safeguarding concerns. Responsible for providing expertise, professional leadership, advice, support, and expert guidance in respect of safeguarding, adults, Domestic Abuse, Mental Capacity Act (MCA), Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards / Liberty Protection Safeguards, knife crime, modern slavery and the Prevent agenda to the Cheshire West health economy. In particular within NHS and independent hospitals, residential and nursing care home settings, General Practice, as well as throughout community settings and will work closely with the relevant Local Authorities at place to seek assurance that the protection of adults at risk of abuse is achieved. Work with providers of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB commissioned services to ensure that adults at risk are safe and supporting the development and implementation of a cohesive, organisation wide adult safeguarding strategy which reflects national policy, local guidance, and best practice. Communicate and provide highly complex information regarding safeguarding across the health economy to a range of internal and external stakeholders, including presenting highly complex information about projects, initiatives, and services to a formal setting such as the Adult Safeguarding Boards. Work with Local Safeguarding Adults Boards to ensure communication and governance processes are in place between the ICB and Local Authorities Ensure all services commissioned to deliver NHS funded care provide a comprehensive service to safeguard adults at risk, through provision of informed and evidence-based advice and training and through supervision services for all professional disciplines across Cheshire West Place. Person Specification Experience Essential Demonstrate experience of working within a health and social care economy with the safeguarding arena Demonstrates the experience of managing complex tasks that support the delivery of organisational statutory adult safeguarding responsibilities. Experience of working alongside senior leaders Experience of providing safeguarding supervision Experience of proactive partnership working and developing stakeholder engagement including Local authorities. Demonstrable experience of innovative ways of working and project management Proven experience of high exposure to safeguarding adult issues within an inter-agency setting Demonstrate previous experience of operating in a Commissioning environment. Clinical insight Desirable Evidence of chairing key meetings Experience of supervision and staff management Qualifications Essential Current professional qualification (NMC, HPC) Master level qualification or equivalent experience Evidence of recent and continuing professional development Desirable Safeguarding module Skills Essential Demonstrate expertise in provision of clinically sound safeguarding knowledge. Excellent communication, interpersonal, presentational and record keeping skills Evidence of excellent leadership skills/qualities in line with NHS Leadership Qualities framework. Demonstrate their skills relating to performance management of providers and others in relation to safeguarding. Evidence Influencing and negotiation skills Ability to implement and evaluate business process, systems and procedures. Research and development skills Report writing experience for multi-agency review purpose and leading on to serious case reviews. Ability to work within challenging situations and to agreed deadlines. Ability to manage conflict and problem solve. Able to quickly understand complex information and communicate this information to a variety of different audiences and stakeholder groups. Demonstrable a thorough knowledge of the health and social care economy. Demonstrable and thorough knowledge of Adult Safeguarding policies and context. Person Specification Experience Essential Demonstrate experience of working within a health and social care economy with the safeguarding arena Demonstrates the experience of managing complex tasks that support the delivery of organisational statutory adult safeguarding responsibilities. Experience of working alongside senior leaders Experience of providing safeguarding supervision Experience of proactive partnership working and developing stakeholder engagement including Local authorities. Demonstrable experience of innovative ways of working and project management Proven experience of high exposure to safeguarding adult issues within an inter-agency setting Demonstrate previous experience of operating in a Commissioning environment. Clinical insight Desirable Evidence of chairing key meetings Experience of supervision and staff management Qualifications Essential Current professional qualification (NMC, HPC) Master level qualification or equivalent experience Evidence of recent and continuing professional development Desirable Safeguarding module Skills Essential Demonstrate expertise in provision of clinically sound safeguarding knowledge. Excellent communication, interpersonal, presentational and record keeping skills Evidence of excellent leadership skills/qualities in line with NHS Leadership Qualities framework. Demonstrate their skills relating to performance management of providers and others in relation to safeguarding. Evidence Influencing and negotiation skills Ability to implement and evaluate business process, systems and procedures. Research and development skills Report writing experience for multi-agency review purpose and leading on to serious case reviews. Ability to work within challenging situations and to agreed deadlines. Ability to manage conflict and problem solve. Able to quickly understand complex information and communicate this information to a variety of different audiences and stakeholder groups. Demonstrable a thorough knowledge of the health and social care economy. Demonstrable and thorough knowledge of Adult Safeguarding policies and context. 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 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). Employer details Employer name NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board Address Chester Countess of Chester Health Park Chester CH2 1HJ Employer's website https://www.cheshireandmerseysidepartnership.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)