Ward Leader

Job Summary We are seeking a highly motivated, flexible and enthusiastic individual to recruit into a Band 7 Ward Leader position within our world‑leading liver, gastrointestinal and nutrition inpatient service for children and young people – Rays of Sunshine Ward. As a Ward Leader, you will work closely with the multi‑professional team members to enhance service delivery, including paediatric hepatologists, transplant surgeons and the Paediatric Liver Matron. This is an exciting opportunity to develop and build on your skills in the management of people and demonstrate your leadership qualities. As an individual who is new to this role, you will be well supported by your peers and offered training and support to develop the skills required for this role. This role will enable you to gain extensive new skills in leadership, people management and finance within the clinical environment. To be a successful applicant you must be a registered children’s nurse, with extensive clinical experience within a comparable paediatric setting. You will have excellent communication and leadership skills and be able to work independently and as part of a team. Paediatric liver experience, whilst desirable, is not essential as training needs will be supported. In return, you can expect excellent support and encouragement for personal and professional development. Main Duties Responsible for the day‑to‑day management of the nursing service on Rays of Sunshine Ward. Ensure nursing care delivered is of a high standard. Appropriate and effective utilisation of human and physical resources. Demonstrate effective leadership and motivation of staff. Act as an effective role model. About Us The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust‑wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person‑centred, digitally‑enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level. We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people. King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible. Details Date posted: 09 December 2025 Pay scheme: Agenda for change Band: 7 Salary: £56,276 to £63,176 a year per annum, including high cost area Contract: Permanent Working pattern: Full‑time Reference number: 213‑Division‑A‑7636861 Job locations: Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8NF Job Responsibilities Clinical Responsibilities Advanced holistic patient assessment skills (e.g. history taking and physical examination) so that clinical decision‑making leads to prompt and appropriate action in the best interests of the patient’s wellbeing. Good verbal and written communication skills so that professional advice or care guidance and instructions are well understood by patients, their relatives and/or carers, and members of the multi‑disciplinary team. Ensure continuity of patient care through effective staff deployment. Ensure good discharge planning so that individual patient needs are met with an appropriate plan of action and involving the multi‑professional team as required. Regularly check patient care documentation to see that all aspects of care have been considered, individual patient needs identified and that an appropriate care plan exists in relation to meeting the identified needs. Work in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct, and Trust Policies and Procedures. Communicate effectively with patients and their carers, colleagues and students. Work effectively as part of the multi‑professional, inter‑disciplinary team. Be clinically and professionally up to date with current trends and developments in the clinical specialty. Function as an effective role model in the clinical setting in demonstrating the application of breadth and depth of nursing knowledge and skills, and in advising and supporting members of the multi‑disciplinary team. Help facilitate the professional development of other nurses. Facilitate the cascade of information ensuring awareness of Care Group, Trust and NHS initiatives, supporting staff discussion and responding to feedback. Ensure compliance with the Trust’s Equality and Diversity Policy, supporting the delivery of the Trust’s Race Equality Scheme and the Trust’s duty to positively promote race equality and equality of opportunity for disabled people, ensuring services are responsive to the needs of equality groups. Have full knowledge of the Trust Major Incident Plan and your role within it. Be aware of the Trust’s safeguarding policies and procedures and demonstrate ability to raise concerns and work with other agencies to protect children. Research, Education & Service Development Work collaboratively with the Practice Development Nurse so that staff receive appropriate education and staff development. Manage the ward’s allocated education and staff training budget in accordance with the Trust’s corporate need and the Care Group’s business objectives. Ensure the development and provision of a good quality clinical learning environment that supports pre‑registration nursing students and continuing professional development. Participate in trust‑approved research studies, keeping the Assistant Director of Nursing (Education and Research) informed of progress if the fieldwork is being undertaken within the ward/department. Management Facilitate and support nurses in working collaboratively with all other members of the multi‑disciplinary team. Adopt an appropriate management style in accordance with changing circumstances. Deploy nursing staff and physical resources appropriately, review the duty rota and negotiate skill mix levels ensuring the best service needs are met. Work with the Human Resources Manager on the resolution of complex HR issues. Keep the Matron / Head of Nursing informed of any untoward incidents and complaints. Discuss with the Matron and Head of Nursing any plans in relation to service development, service improvement and the resolution of any ongoing problems. Undertake certain grades of nursing staff’s annual appraisal and ensure they have a Personal Development Plan, and assist with the appraisal of other staff in liaison with the Matron and Head of Nursing. Provide effective leadership and act as a positive role model. Delegate appropriately and encourage staff to develop and advance their skills. Communicate well with staff, holding regular ward meetings. Play an active role in the recruitment and retention of staff. Ensure safe storage of patient records at ward/department level so that confidentiality is maintained. Participate in benchmark and quality audits, and observations of care. Ensure that staff receive feedback on the results of audits, and where necessary take action to improve standards. Manage the allocated ward budget effectively, maximizing the use of resources and reducing any wastage in accordance with Trust and Care Group objectives. Act up and across suitable roles, as required by management for service needs, or as part of an agreed personal development plan. Be pro‑active in the management of change and able to support staff through times of change. Investigate complaints and adverse incidents as required by the Matron and the Head of Nursing, taking appropriate action in dealing with any situations that could result in a disciplinary procedure. Ensure Health and Safety regulations compliance. Ensure that staff are aware of the Trust Policy on Adverse Incident reporting and that the Adverse Incident Forms are completed. Ensure staff are aware of the Trust’s policies, procedures, and the need to comply with these. Personal Professional Development Have an annual appraisal and produce agreed performance objectives and a Personal Development Plan. Be an active member of the Ward Leaders Forum. Reflect on own practice and keep a personal learning portfolio. Work in accordance with the Trust’s documented standards on nursing skills and required competences. People Management and Performance Lead, coach and manage the performance of the team in line with good people management practices, ensuring excellence is recognised and underperformance is addressed. Participate in regular performance appraisal meetings and ensure each member of the team has a clear set of objectives and development plans. Ensure the team is compliant with all statutory, mandatory training together with any professional training requirements, ensuring they are up to date and fully compliant. Manage team absences including sickness in line with Trust policy, ensuring the appropriate return-to-work meetings occur, e‑roster is updated, and productivity is kept at the highest possible level. Identify and fill any vacancies that arise within the team in line with the Trust’s recruitment policy and process. Identify talent and support the internal talent management process to attract and retain and succession plan for your people. Review skills mix at regular intervals to identify any potential opportunities to maximise resource utilisation/allocation, ensuring job descriptions are kept up to date. Ensure overall well‑being of the team is maintained. Continuously support in improving the morale of the team and implement a culture of zero‑tolerance for bullying and harassment. Person Specification Essential Current NMC Part 1 Children registration. A management or leadership qualification or training, or the willingness to undertake this. Demonstrated evidence of developing innovative practice and being proactive in the management of change. Desirable Previous involvement in quality improvement initiatives. 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website. Employer Details King's College Hospital NHS Foundation TrustDenmark HillLondonSE5 8NFWebsite: https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ #J-18808-Ljbffr