About this role
Job summary 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 description Job responsibilities Key Responsibilities As Head of Service, you will: Provide strategic, operational, and clinical leadership across all childrens hospice services Ensure services meet CQC requirements, national guidance and best practice Lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams, creating a culture of compassion, inclusion and learning Oversee service quality, clinical governance, safeguarding and continuous improvement Work in partnership with families, commissioners, NHS colleagues and voluntary sector partners Contribute to delivering organisational strategy, service development, and long term sustainability
You 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 Essential
Registered Nurse (Child or Adult Branch)
Ability to travel independently throughout the locality with access to suitable vehicle for business purposes
Desirable
Childrens or adults post registration Palliative Care qualification
Leadership and/ or management qualification
Relevant postgraduate qualification or leadership training
Experience Essential
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
Desirable
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 Essential
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
Desirable
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Douglas Macmillan Hospice
Address Dougie Mac
Grace Road
Stoke on Trent
ST3 3NZ
Employer's website https://www.dmhospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)