Ward 21 Ward Manager

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. You’ll 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, you’ll combine strategic leadership with hands‑on clinical involvement, ensuring visibility on the ward and maintaining your clinical credibility. You’ll be a role model for our Trust values, demonstrating 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 you’re ready to take the next step in your career and make a real difference to children’s lives, we would love to hear from you.

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 a 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.

Job responsibilities

• 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 Manager’s 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.

Our Commitment

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.

Person Specification

• Knowledge and understanding of clinical risk management
• Sound knowledge of national and local networks/guidelines
• Knowledge of Clinical Governance Agenda
• Good interpersonal skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Experience of developing and delivering training/education to staff
• Audit & report writing
• IT skills familiar with EPR
• NMC Code of Conduct
• Understanding of Safeguarding for children and young people
• Ability to resolve conflict
• Motivated and innovative
• Experience of MDT working – linking with outside agencies

• Registered Children's Nurse
• Degree in Nursing Studies or health‑related subject
• Recognised teaching/assessing qualification
• Evidence of ongoing professional development
• Evidence of study relating to management & leadership
• Master’s degree
• EPALS or equivalent

• Proven experience as a clinical nurse leader
• Experience of managing staff
• Proven ability to work effectively independently and within a team
• Approachable and able to build relationships with a wide variety of colleagues
• Experience of professional development/appraisal facilitation
• Demonstrate ability to make clinical decisions and develop others in this area
• Budget control management

• Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post

• Current NMC Registered Nurse – Child Branch

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.

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