Head of Care, Band 8b

Act as a key delegate for the Director of Nursing and Quality, deputising as and when required Responsible for ensuring CQC and Ofsted Care standards are met, including National Minimum Standards for Childrens Homes and CQC standards for the service, with the registered manager for the organisation reporting into you. Provide positive, proactive, and visible leadership to nursing and care teams e.g. through regular one-to-one and team meetings. Support the registered manager to carry out an annual audit of CQC and Ofsted Care standards, producing and implementing necessary action plan(s) to address any gaps.
Working closely with parents, assist in the transition process of young adults from The Childrens Trust School Houses (School Houses) to suitable alternative placements. Ensure suitable representation at annual reviews for children and young people in the School Houses. Promote a structured approach to nursing and care that ensures equitable, safe, and evidence
- based practice, while also encouraging creative problem-solving. Ensure regular clinical supervision is provided for each team member and documented effectively.
Work collaboratively across The Childrens Trust to achieve positive clinical, educational, and social outcomes for all children and young people, and their families. Ensure children and families are involved in the evaluation and development of changes to service provision. Ensure there is a clear procedure for nurse documentation and record keeping, with regular audit to ensure compliance. Encourage personal development and provide appropriate opportunities by following up on identified training needs.
Ensure effective processes are in place to monitor team members compliance with NMC professional development requirements and revalidation. Ensure staff are aware of and adhere to the NMC standards for Medicines Management. Lead on all relevant policy development and implementation. Develop and monitor systems which improve clinical effectiveness and quality.
Communicate organisational messages to staff and provide feedback from team to senior managers. Support the Director of Nursing and Quality and other clinical colleagues, to promote the development of evidence-based practice. Participate in the senior site manager rota. Undertake other or additional duties that are within your skills and abilities, as the organisation may reasonably require from time to time.
Resource and Performance Management Line manages the Business Support Manager, Registered Manager, Respiratory Lead Nurse and Senior Clinical Lead. Regularly review and determine skill mix and staff budget, to provide a quality and cost-effective service, which safely meets the needs of the children, young people, and their families. Be responsible and accountable for the budgets for the residential Houses. Adopt a management style in accordance with The Childrens Trusts Promises.
Proactive and timely management (or delegation of management) of performance and sickness absence issues. Work with the People Team to ensure an effective recruitment strategy is in place to attract and retain high quality nursing and care staff. Set and oversee non-staffing budgets, including capital expenditure for the residential houses. Maintain effective systems to ensure that all equipment is well maintained and fit for purpose.
Build effective team performance. Set SMART objectives with each direct report, to be reviewed on a quarterly basis. Motivate teams and staff to achieve their individual and team objectives. Openly encourage and recognise the contribution of others, ensuring a collaborative approach.
Provide constructive individual and team feedback on a regular basis. Direct work with children and families Ensure the child and their families views on their experience are actively sought and acted upon. Meet with parents as part of the complaints process and the Duty of Candour Policy. Lead on complaints and ensure that principles of good practice are adhered to.
Ensure relevant meetings are chaired and attended appropriately. Provide advice and support for clinical practice issues. Governance and risk management Undertake and/or supervise clinical audits in own areas and participate in multidisciplinary audits. Encourage appropriate reporting on IRAR (incident reporting system) and subsequent investigation and implementation of actions.
Lead or contribute to disciplinary issues, as and when required. Manage compliance with infection, prevention, and control requirements. Maximise the use of Information Technology to support clinical decision-making and record
- keeping. Monitor documentation to ensure the required standards are met.
Ensure applicable risk assessments are carried out, documented properly and risks mitigated and reduced appropriately. Strategic Development Demonstrate a continuous commitment to developing services, in line with The Childrens Trusts Strategy and achievement of objectives in the organisational dashboard. D