We are seekinga dynamic and compassionate leader to join our care leadership team asHeadof In-House Care. Reporting to theDeputy Director of Care, youwill be responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of ourin-house care services across both hospice sites.
This is a keyrole in ensuring the delivery of safe, responsive, and high-quality care tochildren and young people with complex health needs. You will lead amultidisciplinary team, champion clinical excellence, and foster a culture ofcontinuous improvement and collaboration.
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and manage the in-house care teams, including nurses, healthcare assistants, and allied health professionals.
* Ensure care delivery meets regulatory standards and reflects best practice in paediatric palliative care.
* Work closely with the Deputy Director of Care and other Heads of Service to align care pathways and strategic priorities.
* Oversee staffing, budgets, and resource allocation to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
* Promote a positive working environment that supports staff wellbeing, development, and retention.
* Act as a safeguarding lead within the in-house care setting.
* Represent Shooting Star Childrens Hospices in external forums and partnerships.
About You
* Registered Childrens Nurse.
* Significant leadership experience in a clinical setting, ideally within paediatrics, palliative care, or complex needs.
* Strong understanding of clinical governance, safeguarding, and regulatory compliance.
* Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and organisational skills.
About us
Shooting StarChildrens Hospices supports babies, children and young people withlife-limiting conditions, and their families, across Surrey and London. Weprovide a range of specialist care services, both at our hospices and in thecommunity, tailored to each familys needs.
Job responsibilities
Job Title:Head of Inpatient Care
Team/Directorate:InpatientUnit (In-house)/Care Directorate
Salaryrange/pay band:Shooting Star Childrens Hospices Band 8a£56,584.51 - £62,848.98 per annum
Reportsto:Deputy Director of Care
Direct reports:Lead Nurse,Admission and Discharge Nurse,Trainee Advance Nurse Practitioner
Hours:37.5 hours per week
Location:Based at Christophers,Guildford
Introduction to Shooting StarChildrens Hospices
Shooting Star Childrens Hospices
ShootingStar Childrens Hospices provides specialist care and support to families whohave a baby, child or young person with a life-limiting condition, or who havebeen bereaved. Rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission, we supportfamilies across Surrey, north-west London and south-west London from diagnosisto end of life and throughout bereavement with a range of nursing, practical,emotional and medical care.
Ourspecialist care and support is free of charge to families and available 24hours a day, 365 days a year. It includes specialist nursing in the community,symptom management and pain relief, overnight respite stays, end-of-life care,specialist bereavement care and a comprehensive range of therapies, groups andclinics for the whole family.
At the heartof what we do are our dedicated staff; their exceptional commitment andprofessionalism means every family has the opportunity to make every momentcount.
It costs £13million a year to run Shooting Star Childrens Hospices. Just 25% of ourfunding comes from the government, so we rely on our supporters generosity tokeep the service running. We employ 175 members of staff, including 98 nursingand medical staff, and support around 700 families.
Part 1: Job Profile
a)Main purpose of job
To provide strategic and operationalleadership for the inpatient care service, ensuring the delivery of safe,high-quality, and compassionate care to children, young people, and theirfamilies. The postholder will lead the inpatient team, oversee clinicalgovernance, and contribute to service development aligned with organisationalpriorities and regulatory standards.
b)Work relationships
Internal
Director of Care Strategic oversight and linemanagement.
Ward Managers / Nurses / Healthcare AssistantsOperational leadership and clinical supervision.
Medical Team Including medical director, paediatricconsultants and lead GP/visiting GPs.
Therapists Play, music, art, physiotherapy, andoccupational therapy.
Family Support Services Bereavement counsellors,psychologists, and social workers.
Quality & Governance Leads Compliance andimprovement.
Education & Training Leads Staff development andclinical competencies.
Volunteer Manager Integration of volunteers intocare delivery.
Facilities & Estates Team Safe and therapeuticenvironment.
Statutory Funding Manager funding for bed nights.
Safeguarding and Social Work TeamSafeguarding and social concerns.
External
CQC and Regulatory Bodies Inspection and compliance.
NHS Commissioners / ICBs Service agreements andfunding.
Local Hospitals & Community Services Coordinatedcare and transitions.
Safeguarding Boards / Local Authorities Childprotection and multi-agency working.
Families and Carers Co-production of care andfeedback.
Community Partners Schools, charities, and outreachgroups.
c)Mainduties and key responsibilities
Leadership and Management
Lead and manage the inpatient care team,including nurses, healthcare assistants, and allied professionals.
Provide visible, supportive leadership thatpromotes a culture of excellence, safety, and continuous improvement.
Line manage senior clinical staff and contributeto workforce planning, recruitment, and retention.
Clinical Governance and Quality
Ensure compliance with CQC standards and otherregulatory frameworks.
Lead on incident management, audits, and qualityimprovement initiatives.
Oversee care planning, risk assessments, andsafeguarding processes.
Act as the IPC lead, ensuring robust infectionprevention and control practices are in place, monitored, and regularlyreviewed in line with national guidance and organisational policy.
Service Development
Contribute to strategic planning and developmentof inpatient services.
Collaborate with internal and externalstakeholders to enhance care pathways and integrated working.
Support innovation and evidence-based practicein paediatric palliative care.
Education and Professional Development
Support staff development through supervision,appraisal, and training.
Work closely with the Practice Education andQuality team to embed competencies and learning frameworks.
Operational Oversight
Ensure effective rota management, resourceallocation, and service delivery.
Monitor performance indicators and report onservice outcomes.
d)Other duties
The post holder must beable and willing to get to Christophers in Guildford and Shooting Star Housein Hampton.
The post holder will be required to apply for an enhanced Disclosure andBarring Service check
a)Mandatory Criteria
1.Other duties
The post holder willbe working in a developing environment, and they will therefore be expected toundertake other appropriate duties as deemed appropriate by your line manager,the Director of Care and are within the scope and purpose of this role.
2. Professional Codes of Conduct
The post holder will be required to respect professional codes of conductand practice relevant to their role, as appropriate
3. Health and Safety
Be responsible forhealth and safety in the area under their control and ensure that they arefamiliar with Shooting Star Childrens Hospices policy on health and safety atwork.
4.Mandatory Training
The post holderwill attend all mandatory training relevant to their role
5.Our values and behaviours
Shooting StarChildrens Hospices is a leading childrens hospice charity for babies,children and young people with lifelimiting conditions, and their families. Werequire that all of our staff share our common values and display behaviorsthat will enable us to achieve our goals.
Our Values
Behaviour Framework
Professionalism we will safeguard our families,each other and our organisation by working to ethical and professionalstandards at all times.
Respect We will treat each other with theutmost respect.
Integrity We will be open, honest andtransparent in all that we do.
Diversity We will respect individuality andensure inclusion and fairness to all.
Excellence We will strive for excellence inall that we do.
Behaviour Framework
Shooting Star Childrens Hospices is committed to ensuring the welfareand safety of children and young people. All staff members are expected toadhere to our safeguarding policies and procedures. This includes undergoingappropriate training, following reporting protocols for any concerns related tochild welfare, and promoting a safe and supportive environment for children andyoung people. We are committed to equal opportunities and consider allapplicants in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Before commencing employment, successful candidates will be required toprovide satisfactory references and undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service(DBS) check.
Person Specification
Experience
* Significant experience in paediatric palliative or complex care
* Proven experience of working at a senior level within a healthcare environment
* Strong understanding of clinical governance and safeguarding
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
* Knowledge of CQC and regulatory compliance.
* Experience working within a hospice or similar setting
Qualifications
* Registered Paediatric Nurse with the NMC
* Evidence of Continual Professional Development
* Postgraduate qualification in leadership, management, or palliative care
* Car owner/driver with full UK drivers licence, with appropriate personal and business use insurance
* Collaborative working style
* Ability to organise self
* Emotionally intelligent and resilient
* Ability to motivate and inspire
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.
Depending on experience£56,584.51 - £62,848.98 per annum
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