Job Summary
Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses who offer expert practical, clinical and emotional support to families involved in the care of a person living with dementia with complex needs. This role builds on a successful collaboration between Dementia UK and Age UK Oxfordshire, extending a two‑year pilot and supporting the Dementia Oxfordshire service which has been in place for over ten years.
Main Duties
The Admiral Nurse will split their time equally, providing:
* Support to the Dementia Adviser team in managing complex cases, taking referrals and working alongside advisers.
* A proactive role in educating and influencing the wider health and social care system in Oxfordshire to improve dementia care.
The post holder must be able to work in a variety of settings across a rural and urban geography, seeing carers and families individually, managing a team, running groups and providing education and training, while maintaining a proxy‑clinical caseload and influencing local health and social care.
About Us
Dementia UK will support you to maintain and strengthen your clinical and leadership expertise as a specialist Admiral Nurse through regular clinical supervision, practice and professional development opportunities. You will become part of a network of Admiral Nurses and have access to relevant post‑graduate training and the Admiral Nurse Competency Framework.
Details
Date posted: 22 December 2025
Pay: £24.52 to £28.06 an hour
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‑time, flexible working, home or remote working
Reference number: B0547-25-0000
Job locations: Age UK Oxfordshire, Barton Lane, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 3YT
Job Responsibilities
The Admiral Nurse will guide and support delivery of relationship‑centred dementia care to improve the experience of carers and families affected by dementia with complex needs. Support will be provided via a clinic model offering one‑off and repeat appointments for both Dementia Advisers and families in their care. The clinic is available to anyone within the defined area who has been referred by a Dementia Adviser and meets the service criteria. The post holder will also work within the agreed setting/location to provide specialist advice and support as appropriate.
The Admiral Nurse will also be responsible for developing and delivering an educational offer focused on health and other professionals, complementing Dementia Oxfordshire’s wider education offer, with a 50% split between clinic work and education.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
Clinical
* Implement and support the development of the Admiral Nurse Service within Dementia Oxfordshire and the wider Age UK Oxfordshire organisation.
* Provide specialist nursing support to people with dementia, their families and carers, using the Admiral Nurse Assessment Framework.
* Identify complexities of dementia using advanced communication, negotiation and diplomacy skills.
* Provide clinical leadership to Dementia Advisers and Young Onset Dementia Advisers on care from peri‑diagnosis to post‑bereavement.”
* Advise family carers and other health professionals on care for people with dementia with complex needs.
* Contribute to person‑centred care plans and promote relationship- and family‑centred approaches.
* Provide advice on psychosocial interventions and emotional support to promote health and wellbeing for people with dementia and their carers.
* Support understanding and response to behaviour and relationship changes.
* Provide information and support to families about advance care planning, best interest decisions and end‑of‑life care.
* Provide safeguarding guidance and ensure adherence to legal requirements (Mental Capacity Act 2005, Mental Health Act 1983, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards).
Education and Leadership
* Provide clinical leadership and guidance on evidence‑based dementia care.
* Advise and support development and delivery of work streams as part of the service dementia strategy.
* Facilitate innovative dementia training and education for staff.
* Work with local and national stakeholders on integrated care pathways and holistic models.
* Support complex care transitions and reduce crisis situations.
* Ensure care complies with local and national guidelines and Age UK Oxfordshire policies.
* Recognise competency limits and take timely safeguarding action where needed.
* Maintain accurate and timely clinical records.
Evaluation and Audit
* Collect and review quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate and audit the Admiral Nurse Service.
* Use data for innovative service improvement.
* Maintain clinical records and provide feedback.
* Support workforce development evaluation.
* Ensure data protection compliance (UK GDPR, Data Protection Act, Caldicott principles).
* Coordinate with Dementia UK Insights and Evaluation team.
Professional
* Carry out nursing practice in accordance with Age UK Oxfordshire policies and the NMC Code 2015.
* Participate in practice development, clinical supervision and professional development.
* Use the Admiral Nurse Competency Framework and portfolio development.
* Maintain professional registration and revalidation.
* Lead development of policies, procedures and protocols relating to dementia and Admiral Nursing.
* Ensure compliance with clinical governance and mandatory training.
* Participate in supervision, mentoring and appraisals.
* Stay up‑to‑date with evidence‑based recommendations.
* Encourage involvement in research where appropriate.
Managerial and Administrative Role
* Manage the young onset team of 3 Young Onset Dementia Advisers.
* Record and investigate accidents, complaints and incidents in line with policy.
* Identify and record risks to the service and escalate appropriately.
* Participate in recruitment of service staff.
* Participate in Advisory groups developing the Dementia Oxfordshire service.
* Lead, manage and develop the Admiral Nurse component of the service, seeking continuous improvement.
Person Specification
Values and Attributes – Essential
* Build constructive relationships with warmth and empathy.
* Treat families with respect and dignity.
* Work collaboratively for people with dementia and carers.
* Demonstrate compassion, caring nature, commitment to quality of care, integrity and respect.
Skills and Knowledge – Essential
* Demonstrate the 6 Admiral Nurse competencies: person‑centred care, therapeutic skills, triadic relationship‑centred working, sharing knowledge, delivering best practice, critical reflective practice.
* Clinical leadership skills: strong communication, facilitation/presentation, influence change, decision making, advocacy, expert clinical practice, use of IT (MS Office) and service delivery.
* Knowledge of Admiral Nursing, national dementia care policy, evidence‑based practice and application.
* Driving licence and access to a car.
Desirable
* Understanding of local/national frameworks and competency frameworks.
Experience – Essential
* Significant post‑registration clinical experience supporting people with dementia and their families.
* Experience in holistic nursing assessments, bio‑psychosocial interventions, autonomous practice, staff supervision/mentoring, audit/evaluation, multi‑agency working.
* Experience facilitating and delivering staff training and development.
Desirable
* Service‑specific setting experience.
* Leading/managing a service.
* Practice development/quality improvement.
* Service monitoring, reporting and evaluation.
Qualifications – Essential
* Registered Nurse (RN/RNMH/RNLD).
* Postgraduate qualification in a relevant field or evidence of specialist training/education in dementia equivalent to this level.
* Evidence of continued professional development/training in dementia and leadership.
Desirable
* Further specialist training/education in dementia at Master level.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975; a Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Employer Details
Employer name: Age UK Oxfordshire
Address: Age Uk Oxfordshire, Barton Lane, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 3YT
Website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire/
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