Clinical Service Manager - Caudwell Children

The services of Caudwell Children enrich the lives of our children and families through high-quality, person-centred care and support services that promote independence and achieve valued outcomes. We aim to create a safe, homely, and supportive environment that enhances the lives of autistic children. The post will be based at the Caudwell International Children’s Centre at Keele University, Staffordshire, with opportunities to work from home. The candidate should be able to work with a substantial degree of independent professional responsibility, taking a senior leadership role within our clinical services. The Post Holder will work in partnership with the Chief Operating Officer and Governance Lead.

About Caudwell Children: Established in 2000, Caudwell Children is a national charity dedicated to transforming the lives of disabled children and their families by providing practical and emotional support. Our facilities at Keele University serve as a state-of-the-art base for research into multidisciplinary programmes for neurodevelopmental conditions and childhood disabilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide operational leadership for Caudwell Children’s Autism Service, ensuring effective management in partnership with the COO and Governance Lead, and collaboration with discipline leads.
• Work with the COO and Governance Lead to improve service quality and performance, develop the service strategy, and expand the business.
• Collaborate with the charity’s Leadership Team to develop and achieve strategic goals and participate in business planning.
• Serve as Safeguarding Lead and Infection Control Lead for Caudwell Children.
• Enhance quality and outcomes through clinical audits and service evaluations.
• Position clinical advice and leadership at the core of the Autism Service to increase quality and value.
• Engage with various organisations to develop shared improvement goals and alignments.
• Manage the Family Support Team and supervise discipline leads.
• Support investigations into clinical complaints and collaborate with HR as needed.
• Lead autism assessments for children aged 4-11 as part of the clinical assessment team.

Leadership and Management:

• Oversee team productivity, address challenges, and implement strategies for improvement.
• Ensure timely investigation and response to complaints and incidents.
• Respond sensitively to family feedback and manage service delivery issues.
• Maintain clinical and corporate governance compliance.
• Provide managerial leadership, including multidisciplinary clinical discussions and supervision.
• Manage HR functions such as recruitment, retention, and performance management, supported by HR team.
• Ensure effective referral management and workload distribution.
• Prioritize staff health, safety, and wellbeing.
• Uphold professional codes of conduct and ensure open communication within the team.
• Jointly oversee service performance and external market factors with the Governance Lead and COO.
• Lead service development initiatives and evaluate assessment and treatment pathways.

Education and Professional Practice:

• Work independently with minimal supervision, ensuring staff compliance with ethical and professional standards.
• Participate in and lead professional training, supervision, and CPD activities.
• Maintain current knowledge of best practices and develop links with external professionals and academics.
• Ensure children and families receive personalized, holistic care that respects their dignity and privacy.
• Engage in practice development, evaluation, and research to support evidence-based care.
• Handle complaints and safeguard confidentiality and data protection.
• Create an inclusive work environment that promotes diversity and equality.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of NICE standards and other quality initiatives.

Person Specification:

• Registration with NMC or HCPC.
• Experience in Autism assessment and diagnosis.
• Strong leadership, management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Proactive approach to patient care and service development.
• Basic IT skills and ability to work independently.
• Knowledge of neurodevelopmental disorders and experience in service change management.

Additional Information:

This role involves working with vulnerable populations and is subject to DBS checks. Caudwell Children is committed to safeguarding and promoting equality and diversity, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups, including those with disabilities.