UNISON Torbay Health
Professional Services Officer – Professional Services Unit
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The role
Based at UNISON Centre in London, you’ll represent UNISON members from professions including social work, paramedicine, occupational therapy, nursing and midwifery who face allegations before their professional regulator.
You’ll manage your own caseload, providing advice, guidance, representation and advocacy throughout FtP proceedings, including representing registrants at regulatory hearings, both in person and online. Where linked to an FtP matter, you’ll also represent members involved in Disclosure and Barring investigations.
You’ll assess evidence objectively, prepare submissions and advocate effectively on behalf of members, while providing compassionate and patient support throughout what can be a highly challenging process. You’ll ensure cases progress efficiently and within statutory deadlines, communicating promptly and professionally with members and regulatory bodies.
Working collaboratively with UNISON’s National and Regional staff, you’ll contribute to improving FtP processes and efficiency. You’ll coordinate engagement with regulators and lead discussions and meetings with them on behalf of the joint unions, working closely with other professional bodies to ensure all unions’ views are represented.
You’ll need to be confident in influencing discussions, negotiating effectively and holding your own when representing UNISON & advancing the unions aims and values to improve the experience of our members who are subject to these investigations.
This is an exciting time to join the team, with changes to registration bodies and the introduction of new FtP processes and procedures creating opportunities to develop specialist knowledge and skills.
Come and join UNISONs dynamic team, become part of a campaigning union seeking to improve the working lives of public sector workers.
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The person
- Experience of representing and advocating for people, ideally within a professional, regulatory, legal, trade union, health or social care environment.
- An understanding of health and social care regulators and Fitness to Practise processes.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to provide clear advice and make effective submissions and representations.
- Strong analytical and objective judgement, with the ability to assess evidence, including its integrity and accuracy.
- Compassion, patience and the ability to support people through difficult and challenging circumstances while maintaining professional objectivity.
- Excellent organisational and case management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands and meet statutory deadlines.
- The ability to work effectively as part of a team while managing an independent caseload.
- Strong interpersonal skills and confidence engaging with members, regulatory bodies, professional organisations and government departments.
- Good IT skills and the ability to work effectively with digital systems and online hearings.
- Knowledge of emerging professions and the developing professional registration framework.
- A commitment to equality and an understanding of the challenges facing public sector workers and the context of their working lives.
How to apply
To apply for this opportunity please download and complete the general application form, referring to the job description and person specification.
Please note that only the relevant application form will be accepted. CVs will not be accepted.
Your supporting statement should be structured around the following areas:
- Your experience of advocacy, including representing members, preparing for hearings and presenting reasoned arguments.
- Your experience of assessing evidence, including identifying strengths, weaknesses and contradictions and developing an effective case strategy.
- Your experience of cross-examination, drafting statements of case, witness evidence and closing arguments.
- Your understanding of regulatory law and Fitness to Practise processes, including relevant legislation and regulatory requirements.
- Your ability to communicate and influence effectively, including providing advice, working with regulators and responding to consultations or policy developments.
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The completed application form, along with the Recruitment and Disability Monitoring Form, should be sent by email to s.cole@unison.co.uk and quote the reference ORD16 /ORD32.
Completed application forms must be received by no later than 11:59pm Sunday 27 September 2026.
Please save each of your documents to include your full name, followed by job title, region/dept and reference.
In-person interviews will be held on 21 & 22 October 2026 at UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Road, London NW1 2AY.
Please see a map of our regions.
About UNISON
UNISON is the UK’s leading public services trade union, with over 1.3 million members working in the public sector, private, voluntary and community sectors and in the energy services. We employ approximately 1,200 staff, with around 370 at our national centre in Euston in central London and the remainder in our 12 regions across the UK, including Northern Ireland.
UNISON is a dynamic, progressive union, committed to equality. We encourage men and women of all ages, Black and minority ethnic groups, disabled people, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to work with us.
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