Job summary
Are you a motivated registered nurse with excellent leadership skills and experience of caring for life-limited children and their families?
Are you passionate, and do you want to influence and develop your team to ensure the safe, effective and efficient delivery of excellent nursing care to babies, children and young people?
If so, we can support you to be the nurse leader you've always wanted to be.
An exciting opportunity has arisen within our in‑house Lead Nurse team as we support the planned departure of a colleague. The role is based within our Guildford Hospice, supporting an established in‑house care team.
The post holder will play an active role in the education and development of staff and be involved in clinical audit, innovation, Clinical Governance and risk groups.
You will be expected to participate in the on‑call rota to support the hospice 24/7 as required and availability to support a reasonable share of weekends and public holidays.
Our enhanced remuneration package is above NHS rates, and we additionally pay a geographical allowance and unsocial hours payments. You can also continue your NHS pension contributions.
For an informal chat or visit to the hospice please contact Leanne Walsh, our Deputy Director of Care at: Leanne.walsh@shootingstar.org.uk
Main duties of the job
To be a highly competent, knowledgeable and visible practitioner, ensuring the provision of excellent, evidence‑based nursing care for the children, young people and their families at all times.
Ensure that each child/young person is assessed, and that their care is planned, implemented and evaluated in negotiation with the family and that this is accurately documented and up to date.
Liaise with clinical, non‑clinical and facilities staff to maintain a safe, friendly and welcoming environment for the children/young people, families, visitors and staff.
To act as an advocate for the child/young person and family ensuring the provision of appropriate information and support services.
Ensure effective communication between all members of the multidisciplinary team, parents, relatives, visitors, and external agencies.
In conjunction with the Head of In‑patient Care, develop and monitor clinical and non‑clinical performance standards, taking action as required.
Monitor cleanliness and infection control standards within the clinical area, ensuring that all staff are aware of the uses, safety precautions, handling, cleaning, and maintenance of equipment in the hospice.
To develop and maintain clinical skills and knowledge necessary to provide holistic, evidence‑based nursing care; this includes completion of the Shooting Star Childrens Hospices care competencies.
About us
Shooting Star Childrens Hospices provides specialist care and support to families who have a baby, child or young person with a life‑limiting condition, or who have been bereaved. Rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission, we support families across Surrey, north‑west London and south‑west London from diagnosis to end of life and throughout bereavement with a range of nursing, practical, emotional and medical care.
Our specialist care and support is free of charge to families and available 24 hours 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 and clinics for the whole family.
At the heart of what we do are our dedicated staff; their exceptional commitment and professionalism means every family has the opportunity to make every moment count.
It costs £10 million a year to run Shooting Star Childrens Hospices. Just 30% of our funding comes from the government, so we rely on our supporters generosity to keep the service running. We employ 175 members of staff, including 98 nursing and medical staff, and support around 700 families.
Details
Date posted: 17 November 2025
Pay scheme: Other
Salary: £49,743.48 to £54,133.46 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‑time
Reference number: B0299-2025-1711
Job locations: Artington Manor Farm, Old Portsmouth Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU3 1LP
Job responsibilities
To work collaboratively with the In‑house Lead Nurse team.
Be a professional role model, setting and maintaining clinical and professional standards and leading the in‑house hospice team to provide safe, high‑quality care to children, young people and their families, championing compassionate, person‑centred care.
Take continuing responsibility and accountability for the 24‑hour management and organisation of the in‑hospice care. This involves managing a wide range of complex, challenging and sometimes conflicting priorities.
Provide specialist nursing advice organisational wide to support and facilitate high‑quality, individualised care to children / young people and families in collaboration with the multi‑professional team.
Support the Head of In‑patient Care with recruitment and retention of a skilled workforce.
Facilitate the professional development of all staff within the team.
Provide an innovative and progressive attitude to the continual improvement of child/young person care through research and evidence‑based practice.
To take the clinical lead on defined areas across in‑patient care and delegated responsibility and accountability for tasks in the absence of the Head of In‑patient Care.
Line manage and support a portfolio of the in‑house team to nurture an open and learning culture.
Provide holistic support and promote team wellbeing and resilience.
Contribute to service development and quality improvement initiatives.
Person Specification – Essential Requirements
* Ability to initiate, manage and sustain change
* A flexible approach to work
* Effective time management
* Evidence of fulfilling PREP
* Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
* Ability to deal with conflict situations
* Demonstrate a caring and compassionate attitude
Person Specification – Desirable
* Previous experience of research and audit
* Understanding of audit and research methodologies
* Understanding of non‑medical prescribing
Qualifications – Essential
* NMC Registered Nurse (Child)
* Evidence of ongoing professional development within the clinical speciality
* Assessing and mentoring qualification
* Excellent paediatric clinical skills
* Excellent managerial, leadership and organisational skills
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills
* Excellent teaching, training and preceptorship skills
* Able to motivate and develop a team of staff
* Able to problem solve and initiate change
* Ability to work across professional team and organisational boundaries
* Ability to delegate and prioritise
* Interviewing skills
Qualifications – Desirable
* Possession of a relevant masters degree or in the process of obtaining
* Leadership or management training
* Palliative care module
* NVQ D32/33 Assessors Course
* Appraisal skills
* Experience of leading and managing a team of nurses
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.
Employer details
Employer name: Shooting Star Children’s Hospices
Address: Artington Manor Farm, Old Portsmouth Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU3 1LP
Website: https://www.shootingstar.org.uk/
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