Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust

Associate Director of Care

The closing date is 16 November 2025

Job summary

Acorns Childrens Hospice is a leading provider of specialist palliative care for children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families. We are seeking to appoint an experienced and visionary Associate Director of Care to support the strategic and operational leadership of our care services. The Associate Director will act as a strong role model for all colleagues bycredibility and visibility, strong commitment to identifying development opportunities, celebrating success, and encouraging creativity, innovation, and excellence in practice.

Main duties of the job

Acorns Childrens Hospice is a leading provider of specialist palliative care for children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families. We are seeking to appoint an experienced and visionary Associate Director of Care to support the strategic and operational leadership of our care services. The Associate Director will act as a strong role model for all colleagues bycredibility and visibility, strong commitment to identifying development opportunities, celebrating success, and encouraging creativity, innovation, and excellence in practice.

About us

Acorns is recognised as a great place to work because of our people. Our priority is that our people feel valued, whatever their background and experience, and wherever they work.

Details

Date posted

22 October 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£73,000 to £83,000 a year plus car allowance (£3,192 per annum)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

293508

Job locations

Acorns in Birmingham Hospice

103 Oak Tree Lane

Birmingham

West Midlands

B29 6HZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Acorns Childrens Hospice is a leading provider of specialist palliative care for children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families. We are seeking to appoint an experienced and visionary Associate Director of Care to support the strategic and operational leadership of our care services.  The Associate Director will act as a strong role model for all colleagues through credibility and visibility, strong commitment to identifying development opportunities, celebrating success, and encouraging creativity, innovation, and excellence in practice.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of Care, the Associate Director of Care will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, and compassionate care across our hospices and community-based services. The postholder will play a key role in shaping and implementing care strategies that reflect the organisations mission and values, while ensuring compliance with all regulatory and statutory requirements.

Working with the Director of Care this role also carries responsibility for developing and maintaining effective external relationships, including with Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), NHS partners, local authorities, and other key stakeholders. The successful candidate will act as a senior ambassador for Acorns, representing the organisation in regional and national forums to influence and support the development and integration of a child-centred palliative care strategy aligning with all age's agenda.

The role will involve strategic planning ensuring service delivery aligns with national guidance and local objectives 

About You

  • Registered Nurse or Allied Health Professional
  • Evidence of ongoing CPD relevant to the role
  • Educated to degree level or equivalent
  • Proven strategic and transformational leadership experience in healthcare, social care or non-profit sector
  • Strong understanding of paediatric palliative care or related services
  • Ability to work collaboratively and contribute at senior level to operational and strategic development of care services across the organisation.

What We Offer

  • £73,000 to £83,000 per annum, plus car allowance (£3,192 per annum)
  • 37.5 hours per week
  • Hybrid working
  • Employee discounts from leading retailers including the Blue Light Card
  • Health cash plan & Eye Test discount
  • Gym membership and equipment discount scheme
  • Bike2Work scheme - save up to 42% on bikes and equipment
  • Wellbeing, legal and financial support
  • Generous contribution to group personal pension plan (7.5%) or continuation of current NHS pension scheme
  • NHS pension scheme life assurance or Acorns group life assurance scheme 

You need to be eligible to work in the UK to be considered for this role. We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and therefore any successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and will be asked to provide at least two satisfactory references.  In addition, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of immunisation against specific diseases or confirm their willingness to receive the necessary vaccinations.

As a UNICEF Gold Rights Respecting organisation, we are committed to ensuring that the United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child is embedded into both culture and practice within the organisation. As an employee you will be a Duty Bearer for Childrens Rights and support all children to be Rights Holders.

If you have any questions, please contact us at recruitment@acorns.org.uk

Find out about our culture, career development, benefits and more here: Why Work for Acorns?

Job description

Job responsibilities

Acorns Childrens Hospice is a leading provider of specialist palliative care for children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families. We are seeking to appoint an experienced and visionary Associate Director of Care to support the strategic and operational leadership of our care services.  The Associate Director will act as a strong role model for all colleagues through credibility and visibility, strong commitment to identifying development opportunities, celebrating success, and encouraging creativity, innovation, and excellence in practice.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of Care, the Associate Director of Care will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, and compassionate care across our hospices and community-based services. The postholder will play a key role in shaping and implementing care strategies that reflect the organisations mission and values, while ensuring compliance with all regulatory and statutory requirements.

Working with the Director of Care this role also carries responsibility for developing and maintaining effective external relationships, including with Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), NHS partners, local authorities, and other key stakeholders. The successful candidate will act as a senior ambassador for Acorns, representing the organisation in regional and national forums to influence and support the development and integration of a child-centred palliative care strategy aligning with all age's agenda.

The role will involve strategic planning ensuring service delivery aligns with national guidance and local objectives 

About You

  • Registered Nurse or Allied Health Professional
  • Evidence of ongoing CPD relevant to the role
  • Educated to degree level or equivalent
  • Proven strategic and transformational leadership experience in healthcare, social care or non-profit sector
  • Strong understanding of paediatric palliative care or related services
  • Ability to work collaboratively and contribute at senior level to operational and strategic development of care services across the organisation.

What We Offer

  • £73,000 to £83,000 per annum, plus car allowance (£3,192 per annum)
  • 37.5 hours per week
  • Hybrid working
  • Employee discounts from leading retailers including the Blue Light Card
  • Health cash plan & Eye Test discount
  • Gym membership and equipment discount scheme
  • Bike2Work scheme - save up to 42% on bikes and equipment
  • Wellbeing, legal and financial support
  • Generous contribution to group personal pension plan (7.5%) or continuation of current NHS pension scheme
  • NHS pension scheme life assurance or Acorns group life assurance scheme 

You need to be eligible to work in the UK to be considered for this role. We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and therefore any successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and will be asked to provide at least two satisfactory references.  In addition, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of immunisation against specific diseases or confirm their willingness to receive the necessary vaccinations.

As a UNICEF Gold Rights Respecting organisation, we are committed to ensuring that the United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child is embedded into both culture and practice within the organisation. As an employee you will be a Duty Bearer for Childrens Rights and support all children to be Rights Holders.

If you have any questions, please contact us at recruitment@acorns.org.uk

Find out about our culture, career development, benefits and more here: Why Work for Acorns?

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse/AHP. Evidence of Continuing Professional Development

Desirable

  • Relevant postgraduate qualification

Experience

Essential

  • Proven strategic and transformational leadership experience in healthcare/ social care or non-profit sector. Strong understanding of paediatric palliative care or related services

Desirable

  • Experience in fundraising, public relations or policy advocacy
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse/AHP. Evidence of Continuing Professional Development

Desirable

  • Relevant postgraduate qualification

Experience

Essential

  • Proven strategic and transformational leadership experience in healthcare/ social care or non-profit sector. Strong understanding of paediatric palliative care or related services

Desirable

  • Experience in fundraising, public relations or policy advocacy

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust

Address

Acorns in Birmingham Hospice

103 Oak Tree Lane

Birmingham

West Midlands

B29 6HZ


Employer's website

https://www.acorns.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust

Address

Acorns in Birmingham Hospice

103 Oak Tree Lane

Birmingham

West Midlands

B29 6HZ


Employer's website

https://www.acorns.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Talent Acquisition Partner

Tanya Paul

tanya.paul@acorns.org.uk

07909109683

Details

Date posted

22 October 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£73,000 to £83,000 a year plus car allowance (£3,192 per annum)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

293508

Job locations

Acorns in Birmingham Hospice

103 Oak Tree Lane

Birmingham

West Midlands

B29 6HZ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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