Head of Inpatient Care

**Job Title**: Head of Inpatient Care Team/Directorate: Inpatient Unit (In-house)/Care Directorate Salary range/pay band: Shooting Star Childrens Hospices Band 8a£56,584.51 - £62,848.98 per annum Reports to: Deputy Director of Care Direct reports: Lead Nurse,Admission and Discharge Nurse,Trainee Advance Nurse Practitioner Hours: 37.5 hours per week Location: Based at Christophers, Guildford Introduction to Shooting Star Childrens Hospices Shooting Star Childrens Hospices Shooting Star Childrens 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 Childrens Hospices. Just 25% of our funding comes from the government, so we rely on our supporters 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. People & Culture Team workforce development, recruitment & retention. 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.
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 ho