Director of Care

Job summary
Lead exceptional care. Shape the future of childrens palliative care.

Alexander Devine Childrens Hospice Service is looking for an inspirational and experienced Director of Care to provide strategic, clinical and operational leadership across our medical, clinical and holistic care services.

This is a pivotal role within our organisation. Reporting to the CEO and working closely with the Board of Trustees and Senior Leadership Team, you will be responsible for ensuring that children, young people and their families receive the highest quality, safe and compassionate care.

You will have the opportunity to shape the future direction of our care services at an exciting time in the development of Alexander Devine.

As Director of Care, you will have overall responsibility for the leadership, management, quality and performance of our care services.

Full-time or part-time considered (30 hours minimum)

Location: Maidenhead, Berkshire

Main duties of the job
You will:

• Provide strong, visible and inspirational clinical leadership across all care services.
• Lead the strategic development of our medical, clinical and holistic care provision.
• Ensure services are safe, effective, evidence-based, family-centred and responsive to the needs of the children and families we support.
• Act as Joint Registered Manager with the Care Quality Commission.
• Provide strategic oversight of clinical governance, quality assurance, risk management, safeguarding and compliance.
• Ensure we are prepared for CQC and other regulatory requirements and that learning from incidents, complaints, audits and research drives continuous improvement.
• Lead and support a highly skilled multidisciplinary Care Team, encouraging a culture of reflection, development, innovation and excellence.
• Work with the CEO and wider Senior Leadership Team to deliver the charity's strategic plan and manage resources effectively.
• Develop strong relationships with Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and support the development and management of commissioned services.
• Represent Alexander Devine locally and nationally, contributing to the wider development of children's palliative care.
• Champion the voice of children, young people and their families, ensuring their experience informs the ongoing development of our services.

About us
Alexander Devine Childrens Hospice Service (Alexander Devine) is a local charity that provides specialist care and vital support to babies, children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families, across Berkshire and into surrounding counties.

We individualise our approach to meet the unique clinical, emotional and practical needs of each child and their family, ensuring they receive the best possible care and support. Our comprehensive range of care services include Respite care, Specialist play, Symptom management, Family support, End of life care and Bereavement support. We provide care from our childrens hospice in Maidenhead as well as in the family home and across the community, including hospitals and schools.

Our hospice facilities offer opportunities for children and their siblings to experience fun, joy and adventures, and help families make precious memories for as long as they have. These include a hydrotherapy pool, sensory room, music room, games room, outdoor playground and sensory garden, six childrens bedrooms and two self-contained family flats. We also have a dedicated bereavement suite with its own garden.

Details
Date posted: 09 September 2026
Pay scheme: Other
Salary: £80,000 to £85,000 a year pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: B0614-26-0008
Job locations: Snowball Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 3LU, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
This role is instrumental in overseeing the delivery of the highest quality hospice care for babies, children, young people and their families.

To oversee the management and performance of all medical, clinical and holistic care, reporting to the CEO and advising the Board of Trustees.

To contribute to the operational management and strategic development of the whole charity by fully participating as a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).

To be accountable for ensuring Alexander Devines medical, clinical and holistic care services is in line with the overall aims of the charity and strategic and operational plans and meets all governance requirements that satisfy external regulations.

To provide strong visible leadership for all medical, clinical and holistic care services, driving forward quality, continuous improvement and innovation.

To further develop collaborative working relationships alongside the CEO with ICBs, supporting the development of contracts for commissioning.

To work with other childrens palliative care providers, both locally and nationally, influencing, supporting and contributing to the development of childrens and young peoples palliative care.

About you
We are looking for an exceptional clinical leader who combines strategic vision with strong operational management and a genuine passion for children's palliative care.

You will be a registered nurse with significant experience in paediatric palliative care and senior-level leadership experience. You will have a strong understanding of clinical governance, CQC requirements, PSIRF and safeguarding, together with experience of leading service development and change.

You will bring:

• NMC registration as a Children's or Adult Nurse.
• Significant experience of palliative paediatric nursing.
• Senior-level experience of management, strategic thinking and service development.
• Experience of CQC compliance, clinical governance, PSIRF and safeguarding.
• Strong financial and budgetary understanding.
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to communicate complex and sensitive information to a wide range of audiences.
• The ability to interpret data and use evidence to inform strategic and operational decisions.
• Excellent networking and partnership-building skills.
• A Master's-level qualification in a relevant health or leadership subject is desirable.

Most importantly, you will be an inspirational, resilient and motivational leader who can engage people, build confidence and create a culture where staff are empowered to deliver their very best.

Why Alexander Devine?
This is a rare opportunity to join a growing children's hospice charity and play a leading role in shaping the future of our services.

At Alexander Devine, our values are at the heart of everything we do: determined, empowering, valuing others, integrity, nurture and empathy. We are looking for a leader who genuinely shares these values and can translate them into meaningful action for children, families, staff and volunteers.

You will have the opportunity to work alongside a committed Senior Leadership Team, an experienced clinical team and a passionate wider charity, while building strong relationships with partners across health, social care and the children's palliative care sector.

If you are an ambitious and compassionate clinical leader who wants to make a lasting difference to children and families, we would love to hear from you.

Please refer to the attached job description for comprehensive information regarding the responsibilities, qualifications, and expectations associated with the position.

Please note: The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check.

For an informal discussion, please contact Tim Hebditch, Chief Operating Officer or Warren King, Director of HR on View phone number on meeveem.com. For an application pack, please contact Fay Denwood at View email address on meeveem.com

Person Specification
Skills
Essential

• Inspirational and strong leadership skills.
• Strong IT skills (MS Office).
• Budgetary knowledge and experience.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
• The ability to interpret data and reports and translate this information into our setting.
• Effective networking skills.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.

Other
Essential

• Commitment to the mission and ethos of Alexander Devine Childrens Hospice Service.
• Able to work within and uphold our core values: determined, empowering, valuing others, integrity, nurture and empathy.
• Ability to work unsocial hours when required.
• Ability to communicate at sensitive times to families and colleagues.
• Full driving licence and use of own vehicle for business purposes.
• To be a resilient, motivational strategic thinker.
• To be a team player who is able to work on their own initiative.
• Ability to understand and follow due process.
• Willing to undertake an Enhanced DBS.

Experience
Essential

• Significant experience of palliative paediatric nursing.
• Experience of managing compliance with CQC, PSIRF and safeguarding legislation.
• Experience of clinical governance.
• Experience at a Senior level of strong core management and strategic thinking.
• Experience of service development and change management.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a charitable environment.
• Experience of effective public speaking.
• Experience of paediatric palliative care.

Qualifications
Essential

• NMC Registered (Children or Adults).
• Educated to Masters level in a health-related or leadership subject.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Safeguarding Level 3 or above.

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.