Job summary
The
Head of Nursing and Quality is a senior strategic and operational leader within
The Childrens Trust, responsible for delivering the highest standards of
nursing, clinical care, safety, and clinical governance across the
organisation. Reporting directly to the Director of Nursing and Quality, the
postholder provides professional leadership for the nursing and care workforce,
oversees the day to day clinical management of the organisation and deputises
for the Director of Nursing and Quality / Registered Manager as required.
This role ensures compliance with
all relevant regulatory frameworks, including CQC, OFSTED Care, National
Minimum Standards for Childrens Homes, and national patient safety
requirements, while fostering a culture of excellence, continuous learning, and
improvement. The postholder will lead on the development of evidence-based
practice, ensuring services are safe, equitable, responsive, and aligned with
The Childrens Trusts strategic objectives.
Main duties of the job
- Strategic
Leadership and Professional Practice
- Patient
Safety, Clinical Risk and Incident Management
- Workforce
Leadership, Development and Management
- Nursing
and Care Leadership
- Safeguarding
- Infection
Prevention and Control (IPC)
- Documentation,
Information Management and Digital Systems
- Resource,
Budget and Performance Management
- Senior
Leadership and Organisational Responsibilities
About us
About Us
The Childrens Trust is
the UKs leading charity for children with acquired brain injury, providing
expert rehabilitation, education, therapy, and care at our national specialist
centre in Tadworth, and to children and their families across the UK, via our
Brain Injury Community Service.
Boasting a beautiful 24-acre site in Surrey, we
are located just outside of London, close to the M25 (accessible via Junction
8, A217 to Tadworth) and easily accessible via National Rail, by way of:
Clapham Junction, Sutton, and Epsom.
Staff Benefits
The work we do is
highly rewarding, and in addition to an attractive salary, we offer a valuable
range of benefits, including, adoption pay, time off for fertility treatment,
enhanced paternity leave, paid carers leave, time out days for those
experiencing menopause symptoms, time off for gender reassignment.
We also offer
additional annual leave days for those with long service, with entitlements
ranging from 35 to 41 days (including bank holidays) depending on your length
of service.
Other benefits include
free on-site parking; a staff shuttle service from Epsom and Sutton train
stations to Tadworth Court, subsidised cafeteria, on-site staff accommodation
(subject to availability), the ability to retain your NHS pension (where
applicable) or the opportunity to join an alternative scheme, and the
opportunity to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative
environment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Strategic
Leadership and Professional Practice
- Provide highly visible, credible
leadership to nursing and care teams across the organisation.
- Act as a key delegate and deputy
for the Director of Nursing and Quality / Registered Manager.
- Champion a culture that promotes
safe, equitable, compassionate, and evidence-based care.
- Ensure children, young people,
and families are meaningfully involved in shaping service delivery and
evaluating their experience.
- Lead the development and delivery
of organisational initiatives, contributing to strategic objectives, the
business plan, and the organisational dashboard.
- Proactively network externally to
promote the organisations clinical and professional profile.
Regulatory
Compliance and Quality Assurance
- Ensure full compliance with CQC,
OFSTED Care, National Minimum Standards for Childrens Homes, NMC standards,
and other applicable legislation.
- Lead audits of CQC and Ofsted
standards, identifying gaps and implementing robust action plans.
- Assist in the continued development,
implementation, and maintenance of an effective organisation-wide clinical
governance framework.
- Jointly coordinate the completion
of the annual Quality Account.
- Lead clinical policy development,
ensuring all clinical policies are evidence-based, current, and understood by
staff.
Patient
Safety, Clinical Risk and Incident Management
- Lead a
culture of transparency, learning, and continuous improvement within the
Nursing and Care directorate.
- Implement
and oversee the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) and annual
associated plan alongside the Head of Clinical Governance.
- Ensure
timely review and oversight of incident reporting, risk assessments, serious
incident investigations, and associated actions.
- Promote
and strengthen organisational processes for identifying, mitigating, and
monitoring clinical risks.
- Communicate
themes and learning from incidents across the organisation.
Workforce
Leadership, Development and Management- Provide
professional leadership to nursing, care, safeguarding, respiratory, pharmacy,
clinical governance and clinical education teams.
- Line
manage: Business Support Manager, Senior Clinical Lead, Lead Respiratory Nurse
and three house managers, and associated teams.
- Ensure
robust workforce planning, including appropriate skill mix and safe staffing.
- Lead
recruitment and retention strategies for nursing and care services in
partnership with the People Team.
- Ensure
regular, high-quality clinical supervision, appraisal, and professional
development opportunities.
- Oversee
NMC revalidation processes and compliance with professional standards.
- Build
high-performing teams through motivation, recognition, coaching, and consistent
performance management.
Nursing
and Care Leadership
- Provide
strategic leadership for the nursing and care education team and line manager
this through the Senior Clinical Lead.
- Ensure a
safe and effective education provision aligned with national standards and NMC,
and other regulatory requirements.
Safeguarding- Ensure
strong collaboration with safeguarding professionals ensuring safeguarding
governance, policy implementation, training compliance, and multi-agency
collaboration.
- Provide
senior oversight of safeguarding concerns, investigations, and learning in
conjunction with the Director of Nursing and Quality, and wider safeguarding
team.
Infection
Prevention and Control (IPC)
- Provide
leadership for infection prevention and control, ensuring compliance with
national guidelines.
- Monitor
infection data, oversee IPC audits, and initiate improvement strategies.
- Promote
best practice in all clinical and residential settings.
Documentation,
Information Management and Digital Systems- Ensure
safe, accurate and secure medical and care records, with regular audit for
compliance.
- Maximise
use of digital systems to support clinical decision-making, documentation, and
governance.
- Ensure
clear, consistent standards for record-keeping across all clinical and care
areas.
Resource,
Budget and Performance Management
- Hold
delegated responsibility for staffing and non-staffing budgets across nursing,
care, and residential services.
- Lead
capital and equipment planning to ensure all clinical environments are safe and
fit for purpose.
- Review
and ensure effective skill mix and resource allocation.
- Set SMART
objectives for direct reports and monitor performance through structured
quarterly reviews.
Senior
Leadership and Organisational Responsibilities- Serve as
a critical member of the Nursing and Care Senior Leadership Team.
- Participate
in the senior site manager weekend rota.
- Communicate
organisational messages effectively and relay staff feedback to senior leaders.
- Undertake
additional duties aligned with the roles scope and organisational
requirements.
- Ensure
full compliance with Health & Safety regulations and The Children's Trust
policies.
Wellbeing and Emotional Resilience
- Maintains
a positive approach and outlook when dealing with change and overcoming
challenges and problems.
- Recognises
own limitations, develops realistic goals, and uses support network resource
when or if necessary.
- Treats
challenges and problems as a learning experience.
- Remains
organised and focused when under pressure.
- Responds
appropriately and effectively to all constructive feedback.
- Motivates self and
other.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Strategic
Leadership and Professional Practice
- Provide highly visible, credible
leadership to nursing and care teams across the organisation.
- Act as a key delegate and deputy
for the Director of Nursing and Quality / Registered Manager.
- Champion a culture that promotes
safe, equitable, compassionate, and evidence-based care.
- Ensure children, young people,
and families are meaningfully involved in shaping service delivery and
evaluating their experience.
- Lead the development and delivery
of organisational initiatives, contributing to strategic objectives, the
business plan, and the organisational dashboard.
- Proactively network externally to
promote the organisations clinical and professional profile.
Regulatory
Compliance and Quality Assurance
- Ensure full compliance with CQC,
OFSTED Care, National Minimum Standards for Childrens Homes, NMC standards,
and other applicable legislation.
- Lead audits of CQC and Ofsted
standards, identifying gaps and implementing robust action plans.
- Assist in the continued development,
implementation, and maintenance of an effective organisation-wide clinical
governance framework.
- Jointly coordinate the completion
of the annual Quality Account.
- Lead clinical policy development,
ensuring all clinical policies are evidence-based, current, and understood by
staff.
Patient
Safety, Clinical Risk and Incident Management
- Lead a
culture of transparency, learning, and continuous improvement within the
Nursing and Care directorate.
- Implement
and oversee the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) and annual
associated plan alongside the Head of Clinical Governance.
- Ensure
timely review and oversight of incident reporting, risk assessments, serious
incident investigations, and associated actions.
- Promote
and strengthen organisational processes for identifying, mitigating, and
monitoring clinical risks.
- Communicate
themes and learning from incidents across the organisation.
Workforce
Leadership, Development and Management- Provide
professional leadership to nursing, care, safeguarding, respiratory, pharmacy,
clinical governance and clinical education teams.
- Line
manage: Business Support Manager, Senior Clinical Lead, Lead Respiratory Nurse
and three house managers, and associated teams.
- Ensure
robust workforce planning, including appropriate skill mix and safe staffing.
- Lead
recruitment and retention strategies for nursing and care services in
partnership with the People Team.
- Ensure
regular, high-quality clinical supervision, appraisal, and professional
development opportunities.
- Oversee
NMC revalidation processes and compliance with professional standards.
- Build
high-performing teams through motivation, recognition, coaching, and consistent
performance management.
Nursing
and Care Leadership
- Provide
strategic leadership for the nursing and care education team and line manager
this through the Senior Clinical Lead.
- Ensure a
safe and effective education provision aligned with national standards and NMC,
and other regulatory requirements.
Safeguarding- Ensure
strong collaboration with safeguarding professionals ensuring safeguarding
governance, policy implementation, training compliance, and multi-agency
collaboration.
- Provide
senior oversight of safeguarding concerns, investigations, and learning in
conjunction with the Director of Nursing and Quality, and wider safeguarding
team.
Infection
Prevention and Control (IPC)
- Provide
leadership for infection prevention and control, ensuring compliance with
national guidelines.
- Monitor
infection data, oversee IPC audits, and initiate improvement strategies.
- Promote
best practice in all clinical and residential settings.
Documentation,
Information Management and Digital Systems- Ensure
safe, accurate and secure medical and care records, with regular audit for
compliance.
- Maximise
use of digital systems to support clinical decision-making, documentation, and
governance.
- Ensure
clear, consistent standards for record-keeping across all clinical and care
areas.
Resource,
Budget and Performance Management
- Hold
delegated responsibility for staffing and non-staffing budgets across nursing,
care, and residential services.
- Lead
capital and equipment planning to ensure all clinical environments are safe and
fit for purpose.
- Review
and ensure effective skill mix and resource allocation.
- Set SMART
objectives for direct reports and monitor performance through structured
quarterly reviews.
Senior
Leadership and Organisational Responsibilities- Serve as
a critical member of the Nursing and Care Senior Leadership Team.
- Participate
in the senior site manager weekend rota.
- Communicate
organisational messages effectively and relay staff feedback to senior leaders.
- Undertake
additional duties aligned with the roles scope and organisational
requirements.
- Ensure
full compliance with Health & Safety regulations and The Children's Trust
policies.
Wellbeing and Emotional Resilience
- Maintains
a positive approach and outlook when dealing with change and overcoming
challenges and problems.
- Recognises
own limitations, develops realistic goals, and uses support network resource
when or if necessary.
- Treats
challenges and problems as a learning experience.
- Remains
organised and focused when under pressure.
- Responds
appropriately and effectively to all constructive feedback.
- Motivates self and
other.
Person Specification
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Commitment to the vision and values of The Childrens Trust.
- Flexible and can do attitude to competing commitments in workload.
- Highly motivated and reliable.
- Ability to cope working in a demanding environment.
- Commitment to maintaining personal wellbeing and the wellbeing of colleagues.
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge
Essential
- Dynamic, passionate, open, collaborative, and supportive leadership style.
- Able to build teams and delegate.
- Able to problem solve and make informed decisions, and take charge of events.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Strong influencing skills in depth knowledge of all relevant regulatory legislation, with experience of implementing and working to them.
- Demonstrable track record of achievement in quality and patient safety.
- Experience of leading a service and of transformational change.
- Experience managing projects.
- Experience of effective partnership working, with both internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience of managing budgets.
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of recent management and leadership experience at equivalent to Band 8c or above, for a minimum of two years.
- Evidence of continuous professional and personal development.
- Experience of working with children and families with complex health needs.
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse.
- Leadership / management qualification.
Desirable
- Masters degree in relevant subject.
Person Specification
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Commitment to the vision and values of The Childrens Trust.
- Flexible and can do attitude to competing commitments in workload.
- Highly motivated and reliable.
- Ability to cope working in a demanding environment.
- Commitment to maintaining personal wellbeing and the wellbeing of colleagues.
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge
Essential
- Dynamic, passionate, open, collaborative, and supportive leadership style.
- Able to build teams and delegate.
- Able to problem solve and make informed decisions, and take charge of events.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Strong influencing skills in depth knowledge of all relevant regulatory legislation, with experience of implementing and working to them.
- Demonstrable track record of achievement in quality and patient safety.
- Experience of leading a service and of transformational change.
- Experience managing projects.
- Experience of effective partnership working, with both internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience of managing budgets.
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of recent management and leadership experience at equivalent to Band 8c or above, for a minimum of two years.
- Evidence of continuous professional and personal development.
- Experience of working with children and families with complex health needs.
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse.
- Leadership / management qualification.
Desirable
- Masters degree in relevant subject.
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).
