Matron for Acute Paediatrics

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Matron for Acute Paediatrics
The closing date is 14 August 2026

Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a, 12 month secondment, Matron to lead within the acute paediatric directorate.

You will be responsible for a number of both inpatient, outpatient, HDU, CAU and theatre areas within Pediatrics.

As Matron you should have demonstrable experience of leadership at Senior Ward Sister/Charge Nurse or equivalent level together with experience in Clinical Governance, Risk Management, HR, Clinical Incidents and Complaints and Budgetary Management. You also must be a Registered Nurse and have the relevant proven clinical knowledge and skills. Previous demonstrable experience in Paediatrics will be a distinct advantage in this role.

If you would like an informal discussion about this post then please contact Natalie Howes, Head of Nursing for Paediatrics on View phone number on meeveem.com (31950) or via email: View email address on meeveem.com
Interview date will be 14th August 2026.

Please note that applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome.
Available as a secondment opportunity. (With current line manager's agreement).

Main duties of the job
As a key member of the Clinical Management Team, working under the professional direction of the Director of Nursing & Midwifery, the Matron is responsible for the implementation of National and corresponding Local Nursing Strategy.

Specifically, this means delivering the complex agenda as defined by the Matrons Charter, the NHS Institute's 'High Impact Actions' and other National/Local guidance and policies, adopting a highly visible and accessible approach for patients, leading by example in empowering and developing staff to undertake a greater range of clinical activities in order to modernise and improve patient care.

Responsible for managing nursing teams, clinical leadership, infection prevention and control and standards of patient care.

Responsible for the performance management of key individuals in respect of the nursing contribution to service delivery

About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details
Date posted: 04 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year per annum
Contract: Secondment
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 216-LT-DA8175796
Job locations: UHP Plymouth, Brest road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

• 1. To set and monitor high standards of clinical care, underpinned by sound evidence based knowledge and Essence of Care principles ensuring quality systems are in place to monitor practice.
• 2. Lead and ensure the delivery of Infection Control practice as defined by National recommendations and the Director of Infection Prevention and Control and Hygiene Code.
• 3. Leading the development & implementation of standards of cleanliness in line with the Health & Social Care Act 2008 (commonly referred to as the Hygiene Code) and ensure provision of catering meets agreed standards, with action being taken in cases of exception.
• 4. Health and Safety standards, leading investigation and follow up of all clinical incidents (as per the Trusts Clinical Incident Reporting policy), and complaints.
• 5. Supporting Sisters/Charge Nurses in the application of Clinical Governance processes
• 6. Ensuring that patients and relatives have the opportunity to meet the post holder and that they have access to the Patient Advocacy Liaison Service (PALS).
• 7. Support the Head of Nursing with the co-ordination, at Service Line level, the resolution of complaints and clinical incidents including investigating, organising meetings with complainants, writing response letters and constructing/implementing/reviewing agreed action plans ensuring such feedback drives an improvement in standards.
• 8. Sharing lessons learnt from complaints/incidents within the wider corporate body and ensuring action plans are implemented.
• 9. Participate in the Investigation and follow up actions from Incident report, employing RCA Tools to SUIs and Infection Control issues. This may at times include acting as the lead investigator for a serious incident.
• 10. Maintaining own clinical competence and active NMC registration ensuring at least 20% of role is undertaken through clinical activity, acting as a role model.

For further information please see attached job description

Person Specification
Essential

• oConsiderable demonstrable experience of leadership at Senior Ward Sister /Charge Nurse or equivalent demonstrable experience level.
• oRegistered Healthcare Professional or equivalent.
• oEducated to Degree level in a healthcare related subject, or equivalent demonstrable experience.
• oDemonstrable experience of workforce planning, rostering, budget management and performance management.
• oManagement /Leadership qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience

Desirable

• oDemonstrable experience managing complex clinical environments and multidisciplinary teams.
• oPost registration qualification in the specialty area or equivalent.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address: UHP Plymouth, Brest road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website