Lead with compassion. Shape services. Make a lasting difference.We are seeking an experienced and values driven Head of Service to provide strategic and operational leadership across our childrens 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.
Main duties of the job
The Head of Childrens Services provides strategic, operational and clinical leadership for hospice services for children and their families. The post-holder is responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe, compassionate, high quality and person centred care across our range of services, in line with organisational values, regulatory requirements and best practice.The role works closely with the Associate Director, hospice-wide senior leaders, commissioners, partner agencies and families to continuously improve services and outcomes for children with life shortening and medically complex conditions.
About us
Dougie Mac provides compassionate care and support for adults, young adults, and children with life-limiting conditions across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. As a values-driven organisation, we strive to deliver high-quality, person-led, and inclusive care across our inpatient, community, and supportive care services. Following our merger with Approach Dementia Support and expansion into children and young adult services, Dougie Mac now supports more people than ever before across all age groups and diagnoses.Our team is made up of dedicated, skilled professionals who are committed to delivering responsive and meaningful care in line with our hospice values. We offer a collaborative working environment with access to professional development, reflective practice, and staff wellbeing support.Dougie Mac is proud to be a financially independent local charity, offering a competitive salary and benefits package including generous annual leave, contributory pension scheme, funded study opportunities, hospice-paid healthcare cash plan, and free on-site parking.
Job responsibilities
Key ResponsibilitiesAs Head of Service, you will:Provide strategic, operational, and clinical leadership across all childrens hospice servicesEnsure services meet CQC requirements, national guidance and best practiceLead and inspire multidisciplinary teams, creating a culture of compassion, inclusion and learningOversee service quality, clinical governance, safeguarding and continuous improvementWork in partnership with families, commissioners, NHS colleagues and voluntary sector partnersContribute to delivering organisational strategy, service development, and long term sustainabilityYou 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.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Registered Nurse (Child or Adult Branch)
* Ability to travel independently throughout the locality with access to suitable vehicle for business purposes
* Childrens or adults post registration Palliative Care qualification
* Leadership and/ or management qualification
* Relevant postgraduate qualification or leadership training
Experience
* Significant leadership experience within childrens services, palliative care, hospice or complex care environments
* Proven experience of managing multidisciplinary teams
* Experience and the ability to lead change management and service improvement
* Experience working within a childrens hospice, hospice or palliative care setting
* Experience in managing clinical incidents and complaints
* Experience contributing to organisational strategy and transformation
* Experience supporting inspection processes (e.g. CQC)
Additional Criteria
* IT skills including Microsoft Office Suite
* Strong understanding of CQC requirements, safeguarding and clinical governance
* Excellent communication, influencing and relationship building skills
* A sound knowledge of palliative care and children with life shortening conditions, and bereavement support
* Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
* Ability to work independently, exercising sound judgement, initiative and professional accountability
* Ability to motivate, support and inspire others, fostering a positive, inclusive and high performing team culture
* Ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of disciplines across the team and the wider hospice organisation
* Strong listening, negotiation and influencing skills, enabling effective collaboration and constructive challenge
* Ability to prioritise workload effectively, managing competing demands while maintaining quality and safety of care
* To be able to meet the requirements of the post
* Flexible working to meet shift requirements
* Present a professional appearance appropriate to the role
* Extensive knowledge of Child Safeguarding
* Knowledge of commissioning, ICS structures and partnership working
* Resilience and ability to remain calm under pressure
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr