Lead with compassion. Shape services. Make a lasting difference.
Dougie Mac provides compassionate care and support for adults, young adults, and children with life-limiting conditions across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire.
We are seeking an experienced and values‑driven Head of Service to provide strategic and operational leadership across our children’s hospice services.
This is a pivotal senior role, responsible for ensuring children, young people and their families receive exceptional, safe, and compassionate care at some of the most important moments in their lives. You will lead multidisciplinary teams across hospice‑based and community services, work closely with families and partners, and play a key role in shaping the future of our services.
Key Responsibilities
As Head of Service, you will:
* Provide strategic, operational, and clinical leadership across all children’s hospice services
* Ensure services meet CQC requirements, national guidance and best practice
* Lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams, creating a culture of compassion, inclusion and learning
* Oversee service quality, clinical governance, safeguarding and continuous improvement
* Work in partnership with families, commissioners, NHS colleagues and voluntary sector partners
* Contribute to delivering organisational strategy, service development, and long‑term sustainability
You will be highly visible, supportive, and collaborative in leadership — championing the voices of children, young people and families while ensuring services are responsive, equitable, and safe.
About You
* Registered Nurse (Adult or Child Branch)
* An experienced leader with a strong background in children’s services, palliative care, hospice or complex care
* Confident leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex services
* Knowledgeable about clinical governance, safeguarding and CQC regulation
* Experience of delivering service improvement, partnership working, and influencing at senior levels
* Compassionate, resilient and aligned with hospice values and philosophy of care
Why Join Dougie Mac?
At Dougie Mac, we care deeply about the people who make our work possible. Whatever your role, you’ll be part of a supportive, values‑led organisation where everyone is encouraged to grow, contribute, and make a real difference.
As a Dougie Mac employee, you’ll benefit from:
* 35 days of annual leave, rising with length of service
* Options to buy and sell annual leave
* DBS paid for by the hospice
* Join us and be part of a local charity that puts people at the heart of everything we do.
Hours
37.5 hours per week, Monday – Friday
Interviews
26th May 2026
How to Apply
Please complete the application form in full, paying particular attention to your personal statement. This should clearly demonstrate how you meet the criteria in the job description and person specification. See the Recruitment Process Document for more information.
For more information, please contact:
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Sponsorship is not provided.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy and interview early, in the event of a large number of applications.
Job Description & Person Specification below - Please note, our shortlisting process is based on these documents. In accordance with our safer recruitment policy CV’s alone will not be accepted. We are strongly committed to the Safeguarding of our adults and children.
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