Senior Nurse Leader / Modern Matron

We are seeking a dynamic and compassionate leader to join our care leadership team as Modern Matron (Head of Inpatient Care). Reporting to the Deputy Director of Care, you will be responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of our in‑house care services across both hospice sites.

This is a key role in ensuring the delivery of safe, responsive, and high‑quality care to children and young people with complex health needs. You will lead a multidisciplinary team, champion clinical excellence, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the in‑house care teams, including nurses, healthcare assistants, and allied health professionals.
• Ensure care delivery meets regulatory standards and reflects best practice in paediatric palliative care.
• Work closely with the Deputy Director of Care and other Heads of Service to align care pathways and strategic priorities.
• Oversee staffing, budgets, and resource allocation to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
• Promote a positive working environment that supports staff wellbeing, development, and retention.
• Act as a safeguarding lead within the in‑house care setting.
• Represent Shooting Star Children’s Hospices in external forums and partnerships.

About You

• Registered Children’s Nurse.
• Significant leadership experience in a clinical setting, ideally within paediatrics, palliative care, or complex needs.
• Strong understanding of clinical governance, safeguarding, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and organisational skills.

About us

Shooting Star Children’s Hospices supports babies, children and young people with life‑limiting conditions, and their families, across Surrey and London. We provide a range of specialist care services, both at our hospices and in the community, tailored to each family’s needs.

Job responsibilities

Introduction to Shooting Star Children’s Hospices

Shooting Star Children’s Hospices provides specialist care and support to families who have a baby, child or young person with a life‑limiting condition, or who have been bereaved. Rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission, we support families across Surrey, north‑west London and south‑west London from diagnosis to end of life and throughout bereavement with a range of nursing, practical, emotional and medical care.

Our specialist care and support is free of charge to families and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It includes specialist nursing in the community, symptom management and pain relief, overnight respite stays, end‑of‑life care, specialist bereavement care and a comprehensive range of therapies, groups and clinics for the whole family.

At the heart of what we do are our dedicated staff; their exceptional commitment and professionalism means every family has the opportunity to make every moment count.

It costs £13 million a year to run Shooting Star Children’s Hospices. Just 25% of our funding comes from the government, so we rely on our supporter\’s generosity to keep the service running. We employ 175 members of staff, including 98 nursing and medical staff, and support around 700 families.

Part 1: Job Profile

(a) Main purpose of job

To provide strategic and operational leadership for the inpatient care service, ensuring the delivery of safe, high‑quality, and compassionate care to children, young people, and their families. The postholder will lead the inpatient team, oversee clinical governance, and contribute to service development aligned with organisational priorities and regulatory standards.

(b) Work relationships

Internal

Director of Care – Strategic oversight and line management.

Ward Managers / Nurses / Healthcare Assistants – Operational leadership and clinical supervision.

Medical Team – Including medical director, paediatric consultants and lead GP/visiting GPs.

Therapists – Play, music, art, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy.

Family Support Services – Bereavement counsellors, psychologists, and social workers.

Quality & Governance Leads – Compliance and improvement.

Education & Training Leads – Staff development and clinical competencies.

Volunteer Manager – Integration of volunteers into care delivery.

Facilities & Estates Team – Safe and therapeutic environment.

Statutory Funding Manager – Funding for bed nights.

Safeguarding and Social Work Team – Safeguarding and social concerns.

External

CQC and Regulatory Bodies – Inspection and compliance.

NHS Commissioners / ICBs – Service agreements and funding.

Local Hospitals & Community Services – Coordinated care and transitions.

Safeguarding Boards / Local Authorities – Child protection and multi‑agency working.

Families and Carers – Co‑production of care and feedback.

Community Partners – Schools, charities, and outreach groups.

(c) Main duties and key responsibilities

Leadership and Management

Lead and manage the inpatient care team, including nurses, healthcare assistants, and allied professionals.

Provide visible, supportive leadership that promotes a culture of excellence, safety, and continuous improvement.

Line manage senior clinical staff and contribute to workforce planning, recruitment, and retention.

Clinical Governance and Quality

Ensure compliance with CQC standards and other regulatory frameworks.

Lead on incident management, audits, and quality improvement initiatives.

Oversee care planning, risk assessments, and safeguarding processes.

Act as the IPC lead, ensuring robust infection prevention and control practices are in place, monitored, and regularly reviewed in line with national guidance and organisational policy.

Service Development

Contribute to strategic planning and development of inpatient services.

Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to enhance care pathways and integrated working.

Support innovation and evidence‑based practice in paediatric palliative care.

Education and Professional Development

Support staff development through supervision, appraisal, and training.

Work closely with the Practice Education and Quality team to embed competencies and learning frameworks.

Operational Oversight

Ensure effective rota management, resource allocation, and service delivery.

Monitor performance indicators and report on service outcomes.

(d) Other duties

The post holder must be able and willing to get to Christophers in Guildford and Shooting Star House in Hampton.

The post holder will be required to apply for an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

(a) Mandatory Criteria

1. Other duties – The post holder will be working in a developing environment, and they will therefore be expected to undertake other appropriate duties as deemed appropriate by your line manager, the Director of Care and are within the scope and purpose of this role.

2. Professional Codes of Conduct – The post holder will be required to respect professional codes of conduct and practice relevant to their role, as appropriate.

3. Health and Safety – Be responsible for health and safety in the area under their control and ensure that they are familiar with Shooting Star Children’s Hospices policy on health and safety at work.

4. Mandatory Training – The post holder will attend all mandatory training relevant to their role.

5. Our values and behaviours – Shooting Star Children’s Hospices is a leading children’s hospice charity for babies, children and young people with life‑limiting conditions, and their families. We require that all of our staff share our common values and display behaviours that will enable us to achieve our goals.

Our Values

Behaviour Framework

Professionalism – we will safeguard our families, each other and our organisation by working to ethical and professional standards at all times.

Respect – We will treat each other with the utmost respect.

Integrity – We will be open, honest and transparent in all that we do.

Diversity – We will respect individuality and ensure inclusion and fairness to all.

Excellence – We will strive for excellence in all that we do.

Behaviour Framework

Shooting Star Children’s Hospices is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of children and young people. All staff members are expected to adhere to our safeguarding policies and procedures. This includes undergoing appropriate training, following reporting protocols for any concerns related to child welfare, and promoting a safe and supportive environment for children and young people. We are committed to equal opportunities and consider all applicants in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Before commencing employment, successful candidates will be required to provide satisfactory references and undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Person Specification

Experience

• Significant experience in paediatric palliative or complex care
• Proven experience of working at a senior level within a healthcare environment
• Strong understanding of clinical governance and safeguarding
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of CQC and regulatory compliance.
• Experience working within a hospice or similar setting

Qualifications

• Registered Paediatric Nurse with the NMC
• Evidence of Continual Professional Development
• Postgraduate qualification in leadership, management, or palliative care
• Car owner/driver with full UK driver’s licence, with appropriate personal and business use insurance
• Collaborative working style
• Ability to organise self
• Emotionally intelligent and resilient
• Ability to motivate and inspire

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Depending on experience £56,584.51 – £62,848.98 per annum