County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Ward 21 Ward Manager

The closing date is 09 February 2026

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced, motivated and compassionate Paediatric Nurse to lead our dynamic team on Ward 21, DMH.

Working closely with the Paediatric Matron, you will provide strong clinical and professional leadership, inspiring your team to deliver the highest standards of safe, family-centred care for babies, children, and young people. Youll play a pivotal role in shaping our service, supporting staff development, and fostering a culture where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to excel.

As Ward Manager, youll combine strategic leadership with hands-on clinical involvement, ensuring visibility on the ward and maintaining your clinical credibility. Youll be a role model for our Trust valuesdemonstrating compassion, respect, and excellence in everything you do.

We are proud of our collaborative, multidisciplinary approach and our commitment to providing outstanding care and positive experiences for families. If youre ready to take the next step in your career and make a real difference to childrens lives, we would love to hear from you.

For any further queries we would encourage you to contact Alison Crozier, Matron for Paediatrics, on07442832977.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be a qualified Paediatric Nurse with experience at Band 6 or above, possessing specialist clinical expertise, leadership, and excellent communication skills. They will manage all aspects of clinical practice and professional standards with a diverse portfolio covering a 15-bed paediatric ward, which also includes day surgery unit and a Paediatric Assessment Area (PAA) , ensuring safe, high-quality patient care. The role involves overseeing staff performance, development, and allocation, as well as managing budgets, resources, and the ward environment efficiently. The ward manager will coordinate multidisciplinary teams, promote professional practice, and support continuous service improvement. They will support the Matron for Paediatric Services in shaping the future of care delivery, implementing policies, and maintaining compliance with organisational and regulatory standards. This position demands strategic planning, problem-solving, and proactive operational management to ensure optimal outcomes for both patients and staff.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have been employed for a minimum of two years of as a HCA within the NHS for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months).

Date posted

12 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-1379

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Ward Manager will ;

Have continuing responsibility for the ward-based nursing service over a 24-hour period.

Provide visible, effective, and compassionate leadership to the nursing and support team, ensuring a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

Manage the operational and clinical delivery of a 15-bed paediatric ward, day surgery, and PAA department, ensuring high standards of patient care and safety.

Coordinate staffing levels, skill mix, and duty rotas to ensure safe and efficient service provision.

Manage budgets, resources, and the ward environment in line with Trust policies and financial procedures.

Maintain compliance with all professional, organisational, and statutory requirements, including safeguarding, infection prevention, medicines management, and health and safety.

Support and mentor nursing staff, facilitating their professional growth, appraisal, and continuing development.

Lead by example in delivering compassionate, family-centred care and promoting effective communication with patients, families, and the wider multidisciplinary team.

Contribute to service improvement initiatives, audits, and quality assurance programmes to enhance care standards and operational efficiency.

Act as a clinical expert, supporting staff to develop and maintain advanced paediatric nursing skills.

Work regular clinical shifts to maintain up-to-date skills and ensure staff are delivering safe and effective care

Assist the Matron for Paediatric Services in strategic planning, policy implementation, and service development.

Ensure a safe, positive, and inclusive working environment that supports the wellbeing of both patients and staff.

Leadership and Management

Provide strong, visible leadership and act as a role model for staff at all times.

Manage and support nursing and support teams to achieve consistently high standards of care and professionalism.

Oversee a team of Band 6 Nursing staff, supporting their development in management areas such as recruitment, induction, appraisal, and performance management within the ward team.

Monitor and manage sickness absence, disciplinary matters, and staff wellbeing in line with Trust policies.

Support Band 6 Nursing staff to develop their leadership and management skills, ensuring that their roles and responsibilities align with and support the Ward Managers objectives.

Ensure effective communication across all members of the multidisciplinary team to promote cohesive and collaborative working.

Clinical Responsibilities

Ensure safe and effective delivery of care within the 15-bed inpatient ward, day surgery, and PAA department.

Maintain a high standard of evidence-based paediatric nursing practice.

Support safe patient flow and effective discharge planning.

Uphold infection prevention, medicines management, and safeguarding standards.

Maintain accurate documentation and clinical governance compliance.

Quality, Governance, and Safety

Lead on clinical audits, risk assessments, and incident reviews, ensuring action plans are implemented and monitored.

Promote a culture of continuous improvement and patient safety.

Participate in CQC inspections and quality reviews.

Ensure all clinical care complies with Trust and national guidelines.

Education and Development

Promote ongoing professional development for all staff through mentoring, supervision, and training opportunities.

Support students and new staff members, fostering a learning and supportive environment.

Maintain your own professional registration and clinical competencies.

Service Development

Work collaboratively with the Matron for Paediatric Services to develop and implement new models of care.

Contribute to business planning, service redesign, and quality improvement initiatives.

Support innovation and digital transformation within paediatric care delivery.

CDDFT is committed to delivering safe, effective, and compassionate care to children and young people. Our Paediatric Service provides a dynamic and supportive environment, caring for a wide range of acute and elective cases. The 15-bed ward, day surgery unit, and PAA department work closely with theatres, outpatient services, and community teams to provide seamless, family-centred care.

As a Trust, we are passionate about developing our staff and investing in leadership and education. You will have access to ongoing training, development programmes, and the opportunity to contribute to service innovation. We value teamwork, professional integrity, and the wellbeing of our patients and staff.