Associate Director of Children's Services

Talent 4 Good are delighted to be supporting within Southern Hospice Group on the appointment of their new Associate Director of Children's Services.

The role reports to: Director of Nursing and Care

The contracts: Permanent

The hours are: 37.5 hours per week

Location and Flexible working: Our Head Office is at St Barnabas House. Your base location will be Chestnut Tree House with travel required between sites as necessary. We operate flexible working and how, when and where you work will be agreed with your line manager balancing the needs of Southern Hospice Group, the team and you.

The postholder will be responsible for leading the delivery and ongoing improvement of Children’s Services at CTH. Bringing specialist knowledge, expertise and inspirational professional leadership, you will support our clinical and family support teams to deliver high quality care. Working closely with the Director of Nursing and Care, you will help shape the future strategy and direction of CTH’s clinical and wider services, identifying opportunities to expand provision and reach more children, young people and families across Sussex.

As a leader within Southern Hospice Group, you will:

• Lead the planning, performance and delivery of Children’s services, holding accountability for quality, patient outcomes, financial control, income and contract compliance.
• Build and sustain strong partnerships with commissioners and system partners, developing and negotiating proposals that expand service reach and impact.
• Lead service improvement and innovation and sharing learning across the organisation.
• Provide visible, values led people leadership, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement across all teams.

Some of the key duties and responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership

Strategic Leadership

• As an expert in paediatric and palliative end of life care, use key knowledge, expertise and professional leadership to shape the direction for the delivery of care services, working with the Director of Nursing and Care and other SLT members to shape the future for CTH.
• To be the expert nursing voice for paediatric palliative and end of life care, for children and families, across SHG.
• Help shape and implement the wider strategic direction and annual business plans of the Southern Hospice Group, ensuring CTH is integral to the future of services.
• Working with the lead clinician and nurse consultant support the successful delivery of the Children’s Outreach and Symptom Team (COAST) contract and ensure that CTH services align to provide optimal delivery of care.

Operational Management

• Be the Registered Manager for CTH.
• Be the BCYP safeguarding lead for Southern Hospice Group.
• Ensure appropriate systems, processes and resources are in place for the day-to-day operations of all services at CTH, including excellent communication pathways with the workforce and wider SHG teams.

Financial Oversight

• Working with the Director of Nursing and Care, Finance Director and other members of SLT, ensure budget holders adhere to agreed budgets and that robust financial planning and resource allocation is in place for CTH services.

The Associate Director of Children’s Services role reports to: Director of Nursing and Care

• Responsible for: Four direct reports
• The contract is: Permanent
• Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, some evening or weekend work will be necessary, for example attending board meetings or events.
• Salary: £65,724 – £74,828
• Annual Leave: 27 days plus 8 bank holidays rising to 30 days after 3 years’ service

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Education/Qualifications

• Masters Degree level qualification (or working towards) in relevant area of Nursing or related subject
• A Registered Sick Children’s Nurse or Registered Nurse - Child Branch
• Evidence of up-to-date clinical knowledge and expertise in palliative and end of life care

Experience

• Significant experience in children’s palliative and end of life care, or in supporting children with complex care needs
• A strong track record of effective performance management across quality, workforce, operations and finance
• Significant experience of the development and implementation of strategy in a health or social care setting
• Demonstrable experience of effectively engaging with diverse audiences, including internal and external stakeholders

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates professional curiosity, actively seeking opportunities to innovate and improve.
• Leads and supports teams through change with clarity, confidence and compassion
• Communicates effectively, influences constructively and builds strong, high performing teams
• Builds effective relationships with key stakeholders across the Group and with external partners

Personal Attributes and values

• A strong advocate for babies, children and young people
• Compassionate and child and family centred in both care and leadership
• Balances strategic insight with sound operational judgement

Other

• Enhanced DBS with barring list
• A valid UK driving licence and use of own car due to location of role

Welcome from our Director of Nursing and Care

As Director of Nursing and Care, I am delighted that you are considering this opportunity to become part of our dedicated and compassionate team at Chestnut Tree House, part of Southern Hospice Group. We are committed to delivering high-quality care and support that makes a meaningful difference to the people, families and communities we serve every day.

This is an exciting time for our organisation. This year we have secured the COAST contract from NHS Surrey & Sussex, establishing Southern Hospice Group as the lead provider of palliative and end-of-life care for children and young people across Sussex. Building on an 18-month proof of concept, this award enables us to expand the COAST service and be there for families when they need us most. More than a contract, it reflects a significant shift in how partners see us: no longer as separate hospices, but as a trusted system partner with an increasing role in shaping care across the county.

As our Associate Director of Children’s Services, you have a key role to play in the leadership, operational management, and strategic direction of Chestnut Tree House. We are looking for an individual who shares our passion for excellence, innovation and continuous improvement. Whether through clinical leadership, service development, strengthening quality standards or supportingour workforce, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant contribution to our future.
At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to kindness, respect, integrity and collaboration. We want every colleague to feel valued, supported and empowered to reach their full potential while delivering the very best outcomes for those in our care.

Alison Robertson
Director of Nursing and Care