Job Summary
As Head of Nursing and Care/Senior Nursing Lead, you will be responsible for leading the organisation in the implementation, and ongoing monitoring, of the National Minimum Standards for Childrens Homes and the Care Quality Commission standards, reporting directly to, and deputising for, the Director of Nursing and Quality and Registered Manager.
Interview Dates
9 & 10 December 2025
Responsibilities
* Act as a key delegate for the Director of Nursing and Quality, deputising as and when required.
* Responsible for ensuring CQC and Ofsted Care standards are met, including National Minimum Standards for Childrens Homes and CQC standards for the service, deputising for the registered manager as required.
* Provide positive, proactive, and visible leadership to nursing and care teams e.g. through regular one-to-one and team meetings.
* Support the registered manager to carry out an annual audit of CQC and Ofsted Care standards, producing and implementing necessary action plan(s) to address any gaps.
* Ensure suitable representation at annual reviews for children and young people in the School Houses.
* Promote a structured approach to nursing and care that ensures equitable, safe, and evidence-based practice, while also encouraging creative problem-solving.
* Ensure regular clinical supervision is provided for each team member and documented effectively.
* Work collaboratively across The Children’s Trust to achieve positive clinical, educational, and social outcomes for all children and young people, and their families.
* Ensure children and families are involved in the evaluation and development of changes to service provision.
* Ensure there is a clear procedure for nurse documentation and record keeping, with regular audit to ensure compliance.
* Encourage personal development and provide appropriate opportunities by following up on identified training needs.
* Ensure effective processes are in place to monitor team members compliance with NMC professional development requirements and revalidation.
* Ensure staff are aware of and adhere to the NMC standards for Medicines Management.
* Lead on all relevant policy development and implementation.
* Develop and monitor systems which improve clinical effectiveness and quality.
* Communicate organisational messages to staff and provide feedback from team to senior managers.
* Support the Director of Nursing and Quality and other clinical colleagues, to promote the development of evidence-based practice.
* Participate in the senior site manager rota (weekends only).
* Undertake other or additional duties that are within your skills and abilities, as the organisation may reasonably require from time to time.
Resource and Performance Management
* Line manages the Business Support Manager, 3 x House Managers, Respiratory Lead Nurse and Senior Clinical Lead.
* Regularly review and determine skill mix and staff budget, to provide a quality and cost-effective service, which safely meets the needs of the children, young, and their families.
* Be responsible and accountable for the budgets for the residential Houses.
* Adopt a management style in accordance with The Children’s Trusts Promises.
* Proactive and timely management (or delegation of management) of performance and sickness absence issues.
* Work with the People Team to ensure an effective recruitment strategy is in place to attract and retain high quality nursing and care staff.
* Set and oversee non-staffing budgets, including capital expenditure for the residential houses.
* Maintain effective systems to ensure that all equipment is well maintained and fit for purpose.
* Build effective team performance.
* Set SMART objectives with each direct report, to be reviewed on a quarterly basis.
* Motivate teams and staff to achieve their individual and team objectives.
* Openly encourage and recognise the contribution of others, ensuring a collaborative approach.
* Provide constructive individual and team feedback on a regular basis.
Direct Work with Children and Families
* Ensure the child and their families views on their experience are actively sought and acted upon.
* Meet with parents as part of the complaints process and the Duty of Candour Policy.
* Lead on complaints and ensure that principles of good practice are adhered to.
* Ensure relevant meetings are chaired and attended appropriately.
* Provide advice and support for clinical practice issues.
Qualifications – Essential
* Registered Nurse.
* Leadership/management qualification.
Qualifications – Desirable
* Masters degree in relevant subject.
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge – Essential
* Dynamic, passionate, open, collaborative, and supportive leadership style.
* Able to build teams and delegate.
* Able to problem solve and make informed decisions, and take charge of events.
* Excellent interpersonal skills.
* Strong influencing skills in depth knowledge of all relevant regulatory legislation, with experience of implementing and working to them.
* Demonstrable track record of achievement in quality and patient safety.
* Experience of leading a service and of transformational change.
* Experience managing projects.
* Experience of effective partnership working, with both internal and external stakeholders.
* Experience of managing budgets.
Experience – Essential
* Evidence of recent management and leadership experience at equivalent to Band 8a or above, for a minimum of two years.
* Evidence of continuous professional and personal development.
* Experience of working with children and families with complex health needs.
Personal Qualities – Essential
* Commitment to the vision and values of The Children’s Trust.
* Flexible and can do attitude to competing commitments in workload.
* Highly motivated and reliable.
* Ability to cope working in a demanding environment.
* Commitment to maintaining personal wellbeing and the wellbeing of colleagues.
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).
Pay & Conditions
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8b
Salary: £68,631 to £74,896 a year Plus Outer London Weighting
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: B0474-25-0136
Job locations: The Children’s Trust – Tadworth Court, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 5RU
Staff Benefits
We also offer additional annual leave days for those with long service, with entitlements ranging from 35 to 41 days (including bank holidays) depending on your length of service.
Other benefits include free on-site parking; a staff shuttle service from Epsom and Sutton train stations to Tadworth Court, subsidised cafeteria, on-site staff accommodation (subject to availability), the ability to retain your NHS pension (where applicable) or the opportunity to join an alternative scheme, and the opportunity to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Employer Details
The Children’s Trust
Tadworth Court
Tadworth
Surrey
KT20 5RU
Employer's Website
https://www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/jobs
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