Job summary
The Director of Care will be responsible for the leadership, management and ongoing development of the Care Team. Will play a lead role in the strategic development and operational delivery of family-centred care, ensuring the highest possible standards for the babies, children, young people and their families. On behalf of the hospice, to hold the public position of CQC Registered Manager. The Director of Care will be responsible for enabling multi-disciplinary teamwork, liaising with colleagues and teams across the hospice and for the continued development of high quality holistic and clinical care and practice. The post holder will provide strong, visible and supportive leadership to Heads of Department and Governace and Quality Leads enabling them to effectively lead their teams and continually review and develop services to improve outcomes for babies, children, young people and their families. Working as part of the Senior Leadership Team and participate in effective leadership of The Charity, alongside strategy and policy development and delivery. Building relationships with other providers, commissioners and regulators of children’s palliative, end of life, health and social care.
Main duties of the job
You will be an experienced leader within a healthcare setting who can inspire and motivate a large multidisciplinary team. You will need to be visible within the hospice setiing and will need to quickly establish relationships with both your Senior Leadership peers, the Trustee Board and also the wider care team. As a registered nurse you will lead with clinical expertise and credibility, balancing the strategic and governance elements to the role. Crucially, you will be a natural people leader who can galvanise the team and effectively manage operational changes, working with your care leadership team.
About us
At The Ark we can provide Specialist Care and Nursing for babies, children and young people, supporting their full clinical, emotional, social and practical needs. We have created a space where children who are seriously unwell are accepted as they are, safe to play, explore, express themselves and build confidence. Rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, The Charity has had a sustained period of growth over the last two years, and we are looking for high quality employees to come and be a part of that success. Our expert staff and trained volunteers provide clinical, emotional and practical support for families across North and Central London and Herts Valley. We carefully adapt our support for every child and offer it wherever it is required - whether in their home, their community or at our state-of-the-art children’s hospice building, The Ark, in Barnet. We provide quality services and equal opportunities for all and guarantee interviews for all disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the role. Please refer to the job description for more information.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Designed by families, for families, The Ark was opened in September 2019 by the Mayor of London. The grounds offer wheelchair accessible outdoor experiences, including a Woodland Walk through a 7-acre nature reserve, a hydrotherapy pool and overnight suites for families to be close to their loved ones. At The Ark we are able to provide Specialist Care and Nursing for babies, children and young people, supporting their full clinical, emotional, social and practical needs. We have created a space where children who are seriously unwell are accepted as they are, safe to play, explore, express themselves and build confidence. Rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, the charity has had a sustained period of growth over the last two years and we are looking for high quality employees to come and be a part of that success. Our expert staff and trained volunteers provide clinical, emotional and practical support for families across North and Central London and Herts Valley. We carefully adapt our support for every child and offer it wherever it is required - whether in their home, their community or at our state-of-the-art children’s hospice building, The Ark, in Barnet. JOB DESCRIPTION The Director of Care will be responsible for the leadership, management and ongoing development of the Care Team. Will play a lead role in the strategic development and operational delivery of family-centred care, ensuring the highest possible standards for the babies, children, young people and their families. On behalf of the hospice, to hold the public position of CQC Registered Manager. The Director of Care will be responsible for enabling multi-disciplinary teamwork, liaising with colleagues and teams across the hospice and for the continued development of high quality holistic and clinical care and practice. The post holder will provide strong, visible and supportive leadership to Heads of Department and Governace and Quality Leads enabling them to effectively lead their teams and continually review and develop services to improve outcomes for babies, children, young people and their families. Working as part of the Senior Leadership Team and participate in effective leadership of The Charity, alongside strategy and policy development and delivery. Building relationships with other providers, commissioners and regulators of children’s palliative, end of life, health and social care. ABOUT YOU You will be an experienced leader within a healthcare setting who can inspire and motivate a large multidisciplinary team. You will need to be visible within the hospice setiing and will need to quickly establish relationships with both your Senior Leadership peers, the Trustee Board and also the wider care team. As a registered nurse you will lead with clinical expertise and credibility, balancing the strategic and governance elements to the role. Crucially, you will be a natural people leader who can galvanise the team and effectively manage operational changes, working with your care leadership team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Designed by families, for families, The Ark was opened in September 2019 by the Mayor of London. The grounds offer wheelchair accessible outdoor experiences, including a Woodland Walk through a 7-acre nature reserve, a hydrotherapy pool and overnight suites for families to be close to their loved ones. At The Ark we are able to provide Specialist Care and Nursing for babies, children and young people, supporting their full clinical, emotional, social and practical needs. We have created a space where children who are seriously unwell are accepted as they are, safe to play, explore, express themselves and build confidence. Rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, the charity has had a sustained period of growth over the last two years and we are looking for high quality employees to come and be a part of that success. Our expert staff and trained volunteers provide clinical, emotional and practical support for families across North and Central London and Herts Valley. We carefully adapt our support for every child and offer it wherever it is required - whether in their home, their community or at our state-of-the-art children’s hospice building, The Ark, in Barnet. JOB DESCRIPTION The Director of Care will be responsible for the leadership, management and ongoing development of the Care Team. Will play a lead role in the strategic development and operational delivery of family-centred care, ensuring the highest possible standards for the babies, children, young people and their families. On behalf of the hospice, to hold the public position of CQC Registered Manager. The Director of Care will be responsible for enabling multi-disciplinary teamwork, liaising with colleagues and teams across the hospice and for the continued development of high quality holistic and clinical care and practice. The post holder will provide strong, visible and supportive leadership to Heads of Department and Governace and Quality Leads enabling them to effectively lead their teams and continually review and develop services to improve outcomes for babies, children, young people and their families. Working as part of the Senior Leadership Team and participate in effective leadership of The Charity, alongside strategy and policy development and delivery. Building relationships with other providers, commissioners and regulators of children’s palliative, end of life, health and social care. ABOUT YOU You will be an experienced leader within a healthcare setting who can inspire and motivate a large multidisciplinary team. You will need to be visible within the hospice setiing and will need to quickly establish relationships with both your Senior Leadership peers, the Trustee Board and also the wider care team. As a registered nurse you will lead with clinical expertise and credibility, balancing the strategic and governance elements to the role. Crucially, you will be a natural people leader who can galvanise the team and effectively manage operational changes, working with your care leadership team.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NMC registered nurse with accredited qualification and appropriate professional membership.
- Evidence of continuous personal and professional development
- Extensive leadership experience
- Grounding in research methodology.
Desirable
- Educated to degree level for accredited qualification
- Masters level qualification
- Additional professional qualifications.
- Experience or qualification in applied research methods
- Continuing professional development within the field of childrens hospice and/or palliative care
Experience/Training
Essential
- Experience of working as a senior manager in a care delivery organization in a strategic capacity.
- Significant experience in palliative and end of life care
- Substantial experience of the development and implementation of strategic plans in a health or social care setting
- Demonstrable operational management experience in the NHS or Hospice environment with previous experience of managing large groups of staff.
- Experience of working with and/or being accountable to a Board of Trustees
- Experience in managing and delivering large scale projects and adapting priorities and resources
- Experience of constructing, managing and monitoring budgets
- Experience of partnership working across the public, private and voluntary sectors
- Experience of implementing CQC regulations and frameworks as Registered Manager or Nominated individual
Desirable
- Significant experience of working in a senior position as a clinician or allied health professional in a childrens health or social care setting
- Significant experience in childrens palliative and end of life care in community and in-patient settings
- Significant experience in childrens palliative and end of life care
Skills/Knowledge/Experience
Essential
- Knowledge and experience of regulatory frameworks relating to Hospice Care.
- Knowledge of holistic and clinical models of care in community and in-house settings, for example, social work, nursing, creative therapy and volunteer service contributions to palliative and end of life care services.
- Knowledge of relevant regulatory and safeguarding guidelines.
- Knowledge of governance and quality assurance systems.
- Knowledge of the needs of life-limited or life-threatened children and their families.
- Knowledge of national health and social policy issues.
- Track record of delivering agreed service objectives, with demonstrable qualitative and quantitative benefits to patients and their loved ones
- A track record of achievement in leading and implementing change and transforming clinical services.
- Understanding of workforce planning, education and workforce development issues.
- Clear understanding of the complexities of working within a multi-disciplinary team.
- Understanding of systems leadership and other leadership models.
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent writing skills with a demonstrable commitment to high standards of presentation.
- IT skills to enable use of database and Microsoft Office Package (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook PowerPoint).
- Ability to work under pressure and manage time effectively.
Desirable
- Experience as designated safeguarding professional.
- Experience of managing a multi-disciplinary team.
- Experience of participating in an on-call rota.
- Experience of being responsive in unsocial hours.
Personal Attribute
Essential
- A passion for hospice and palliative care, in community and in-house settings.
- Willingness to learn and develop new skills.
- Open minded and non-judgmental.
- Trustworthy and with a high level of integrity.
- Flexible, adaptable and willing to work antisocial hours.
Desirable
- A passion for childrens hospice and palliative care, in community and in-house settings.
Misc
Essential
- Enhanced DBS with Child & Adult Barring (PEC)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NMC registered nurse with accredited qualification and appropriate professional membership.
- Evidence of continuous personal and professional development
- Extensive leadership experience
- Grounding in research methodology.
Desirable
- Educated to degree level for accredited qualification
- Masters level qualification
- Additional professional qualifications.
- Experience or qualification in applied research methods
- Continuing professional development within the field of childrens hospice and/or palliative care
Experience/Training
Essential
- Experience of working as a senior manager in a care delivery organization in a strategic capacity.
- Significant experience in palliative and end of life care
- Substantial experience of the development and implementation of strategic plans in a health or social care setting
- Demonstrable operational management experience in the NHS or Hospice environment with previous experience of managing large groups of staff.
- Experience of working with and/or being accountable to a Board of Trustees
- Experience in managing and delivering large scale projects and adapting priorities and resources
- Experience of constructing, managing and monitoring budgets
- Experience of partnership working across the public, private and voluntary sectors
- Experience of implementing CQC regulations and frameworks as Registered Manager or Nominated individual
Desirable
- Significant experience of working in a senior position as a clinician or allied health professional in a childrens health or social care setting
- Significant experience in childrens palliative and end of life care in community and in-patient settings
- Significant experience in childrens palliative and end of life care
Skills/Knowledge/Experience
Essential
- Knowledge and experience of regulatory frameworks relating to Hospice Care.
- Knowledge of holistic and clinical models of care in community and in-house settings, for example, social work, nursing, creative therapy and volunteer service contributions to palliative and end of life care services.
- Knowledge of relevant regulatory and safeguarding guidelines.
- Knowledge of governance and quality assurance systems.
- Knowledge of the needs of life-limited or life-threatened children and their families.
- Knowledge of national health and social policy issues.
- Track record of delivering agreed service objectives, with demonstrable qualitative and quantitative benefits to patients and their loved ones
- A track record of achievement in leading and implementing change and transforming clinical services.
- Understanding of workforce planning, education and workforce development issues.
- Clear understanding of the complexities of working within a multi-disciplinary team.
- Understanding of systems leadership and other leadership models.
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent writing skills with a demonstrable commitment to high standards of presentation.
- IT skills to enable use of database and Microsoft Office Package (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook PowerPoint).
- Ability to work under pressure and manage time effectively.
Desirable
- Experience as designated safeguarding professional.
- Experience of managing a multi-disciplinary team.
- Experience of participating in an on-call rota.
- Experience of being responsive in unsocial hours.
Personal Attribute
Essential
- A passion for hospice and palliative care, in community and in-house settings.
- Willingness to learn and develop new skills.
- Open minded and non-judgmental.
- Trustworthy and with a high level of integrity.
- Flexible, adaptable and willing to work antisocial hours.
Desirable
- A passion for childrens hospice and palliative care, in community and in-house settings.
Misc
Essential
- Enhanced DBS with Child & Adult Barring (PEC)
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).
Additional information
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).
