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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic paediatric nursing team, ensuring high standards of care and staff development.
- Company: Join the County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, a leader in healthcare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional growth opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while shaping future healthcare services.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered Children's Nurse with leadership experience and excellent communication skills.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of compassion and continuous improvement in a vibrant hospital setting.
The predicted salary is between 47810 - 54710 £ per year.
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 will combine strategic leadership with hands‑on clinical involvement, ensuring visibility on the ward and maintaining your clinical credibility. You will demonstrate compassion, respect and excellence, supporting a culture where everyone feels valued, supported and empowered to excel. This role is an excellent opportunity for those eager to shape services, support staff development and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Job Details
- Entry date: 12 January 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: 7
- Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 per annum, pro rata
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full‑time
- Reference number: C9439‑2526‑1379
- Job location: Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust, Hollyhurst Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 6HX
For any further queries please contact Alison Crozier, Matron for Paediatrics, on 07442832977.
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, day surgery unit and a Paediatric Assessment Area (PAA), ensuring safe, high‑quality patient care. The role involves overseeing staff performance, development and allocation, managing budgets, resources and the ward environment efficiently, coordinating multidisciplinary teams and supporting continuous service improvement. The Ward Manager will assist the Matron for Paediatric Services in shaping the future of care delivery, implementing policies and maintaining compliance with organisational and regulatory standards.
Job Responsibilities
- 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, 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 multidisciplinary team.
- Implement 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 deliver 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.
Person Specification
Special Skills & Knowledge – Essential
- 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
- Presentation skills
- IT skills familiar with EPR
- NMC Code of Conduct
- Understanding of Safeguarding for children and Young People
- Ability to resolve conflict
- Motivated and innovative
- Excellent communication skills
Special Skills & Knowledge – Desirable
- Experience of MDT working – linking with outside agencies
Qualifications – Essential
- Registered Childrens Nurse
- Degree in Nursing Studies or a health‑related subject
- Recognised teaching/assessing qualification
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
- Evidence of study relating to management & leadership
Qualifications – Desirable
- Masters
- EPALS or equivalent
Experience – Essential
- 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
- Proven change management experience
- Experience of professional development / appraisal facilitation
- Demonstrate ability to make clinical decisions and to develop others in this area
Experience – Desirable
- Budget control management
Special Requirements – Essential
- Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post
Statutory Registration – Essential
- Current NMC Registered Nurse Child Branch
Employer Details
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington, County Durham, DL3 6HX
Equal Opportunities
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under‑represented.
Legal Requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure & Barring Service check is required. Skilled worker sponsorship will be considered where applicable.
Ward 21 Ward Manager employer: Charity Society
Contact Detail:
Charity Society Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Ward 21 Ward Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, try to connect with current staff on social media or professional networks. This will give you insights into the ward culture and help you tailor your approach.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for paediatric care! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've made a difference in children's lives. This will demonstrate your commitment and compassion, which are key for this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss leadership! Think about times when you've led a team or managed a project. Highlight your ability to inspire and support others, as this is crucial for a Ward Manager.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare thoughtful questions about the ward's challenges and future goals. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute to continuous improvement.
We think you need these skills to ace Ward 21 Ward Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for paediatric nursing shine through! We want to see how motivated you are to lead a team and provide top-notch care for our young patients.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Ward Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience, clinical expertise, and any relevant achievements that align with the job description. We love seeing how your skills match what we’re looking for!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and experience.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Charity Society
✨Know Your Clinical Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your paediatric nursing knowledge and clinical governance. Be ready to discuss specific cases or experiences that highlight your expertise in managing a paediatric ward and ensuring high standards of care.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams in the past. Think about times when you inspired your colleagues or implemented service improvements. This role is all about leadership, so be ready to demonstrate your ability to motivate and support your team.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice your communication skills! You’ll need to show that you can engage with patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams. Consider role-playing common scenarios to showcase your ability to convey information clearly and compassionately.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life situations. Prepare for scenarios related to conflict resolution, staffing challenges, or patient safety. Think through your responses and how you would apply your knowledge and experience to handle these situations effectively.