At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead compassionate children's services and shape impactful care for families.
- Company: Dougie Mac, a local charity dedicated to exceptional hospice care.
- Benefits: 35 days annual leave, options to buy/sell leave, and DBS paid by the hospice.
- Other info: Join a values-led organisation focused on growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while leading a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Registered Nurse with leadership experience in children's or palliative care.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 € per year.
Lead with compassion. Shape services. Make a lasting difference. Dougie Mac provides compassionate care and support for adults, young adults, and children with life-limiting conditions across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. We are seeking an experienced and values‑driven Head of Service to provide strategic and operational leadership across our children’s hospice services. This is a pivotal senior role, responsible for ensuring children, young people and their families receive exceptional, safe, and compassionate care at some of the most important moments in their lives. You will lead multidisciplinary teams across hospice‑based and community services, work closely with families and partners, and play a key role in shaping the future of our services.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic, operational, and clinical leadership across all children’s hospice services
- Ensure services meet CQC requirements, national guidance and best practice
- Lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams, creating a culture of compassion, inclusion and learning
- Oversee service quality, clinical governance, safeguarding and continuous improvement
- Work in partnership with families, commissioners, NHS colleagues and voluntary sector partners
- Contribute to delivering organisational strategy, service development, and long‑term sustainability
You will be highly visible, supportive, and collaborative in leadership — championing the voices of children, young people and families while ensuring services are responsive, equitable, and safe.
About You
- Registered Nurse (Adult or Child Branch)
- An experienced leader with a strong background in children’s services, palliative care, hospice or complex care
- Confident leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex services
- Knowledgeable about clinical governance, safeguarding and CQC regulation
- Experience of delivering service improvement, partnership working, and influencing at senior levels
- Compassionate, resilient and aligned with hospice values and philosophy of care
Why Join Dougie Mac?
At Dougie Mac, we care deeply about the people who make our work possible. Whatever your role, you’ll be part of a supportive, values‑led organisation where everyone is encouraged to grow, contribute, and make a real difference. As a Dougie Mac employee, you’ll benefit from:
- 35 days of annual leave, rising with length of service
- Options to buy and sell annual leave
- DBS paid for by the hospice
Join us and be part of a local charity that puts people at the heart of everything we do.
Hours
37.5 hours per week, Monday – Friday
Interviews
26th May 2026
How to Apply
Please complete the application form in full, paying particular attention to your personal statement. This should clearly demonstrate how you meet the criteria in the job description and person specification. See the Recruitment Process Document for more information. For more information, please contact: Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Sponsorship is not provided. We reserve the right to close this vacancy and interview early, in the event of a large number of applications. In accordance with our safer recruitment policy CV’s alone will not be accepted. We are strongly committed to the Safeguarding of our adults and children.
Head of Children's Service employer: Dougie Mac
Dougie Mac is an exceptional employer dedicated to providing compassionate care and support for children and families facing life-limiting conditions. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer 35 days of annual leave, opportunities for professional development, and a supportive work culture that values collaboration and inclusion. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire community, where your leadership will help shape the future of our children's hospice services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Children's Service
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the healthcare and hospice sectors. Attend local events or online webinars where you can meet people who might know about opportunities at Dougie Mac or similar organisations.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Dougie Mac thoroughly, understand their values, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. Practise answering common interview questions, especially around leadership and compassion in care.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion! When you get the chance to speak with hiring managers, let your enthusiasm for children's services and palliative care shine through. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to making a difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Dougie Mac and being part of a compassionate team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Children's Service
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully:Before you start writing, take a good look at the job description. We want to see how your experience aligns with what we're looking for, so make sure you highlight relevant skills and experiences that match our needs.
Craft a Compelling Personal Statement:Your personal statement is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us about your passion for children's services and how your values align with ours. Be genuine and let your personality come through—this is your moment to connect with us.
Showcase Your Leadership Experience:As a Head of Service, we need someone who can lead with compassion. Make sure to include examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, especially in challenging situations. We love hearing about your impact!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need to complete your application there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dougie Mac
✨Know Your Values
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your personal values and how they align with Dougie Mac's mission. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've demonstrated compassion and leadership in your previous roles, especially in children's services or palliative care.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Head of Service, your leadership style is crucial. Prepare to discuss how you inspire and lead multidisciplinary teams. Think of instances where you've created a culture of inclusion and learning, and be ready to explain how you would apply that at Dougie Mac.
✨Understand the Regulatory Landscape
Familiarise yourself with CQC requirements and national guidance relevant to children's hospice services. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance and quality in service delivery, as this will demonstrate your readiness for the role.
✨Engage with Family-Centric Care
Since the role involves working closely with families, think about how you can champion their voices. Prepare to share examples of how you've successfully partnered with families and other stakeholders in the past, highlighting your commitment to responsive and equitable care.
