Job Description

Head of Care (Registered Nurse)

Reports to:

Chief Executive Officer

Location:

North West (Hybrid with regional travel)

Hours:

Full-time 37.5 (flexible working considered)

Salary:

We offer a salary reflective of experience, skills, and alignment with our organisational values, recognising the unique contribution each candidate brings.

Purpose of the Role

To provide professional, compassionate, and strategic leadership for Lagan's Foundation's care delivery across all hubs. The Head of Care will hold nursing accountability for clinical quality, family safety, and workforce development, ensuring that both commissioned and donated care are delivered to the highest standards

They will guide Area Care Team Leaders, Seniors, and the wider care team to deliver safe, effective, and emotionally intelligent care for children and families, whilst developing and scaling services across the North West and beyond.

The role will also play a key part in business planning, financial oversight, and strategic growth, ensuring sustainability and innovation within Lagan's Foundation's care operations.

Clinical Governance & Quality Assurance

Maintain professional nursing accountability for all aspects of care delivery.
Ensure all services meet CQC regulations, commissioning standards, and internal quality frameworks.

Lead on audits, incident reviews, and quality improvement plans.
Ensure care plans are evidence-based, holistic, and child- and family-centred.

Work closely with the CEO and Board on quality assurance reporting and service evaluation.

Hold clinical oversight for a skilled care team delivering complex interventions including:

o Tracheostomy care and airway management (including nasopharyngeal suction and oxygen therapy)

o Administration of Level 3 medicines and controlled drugs

o General medicine administration and monitoring

o Epilepsy care and seizure management

o Support for children and young people with acquired brain injuries

o Care for individuals with learning disabilities, autism, and sensory loss

o Management of mild behaviours that challenge using trauma-informed approaches

o Ensure staff competencies are maintained and aligned with clinical best practice and family needs.

Safeguarding & Risk Management

Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the organisation, ensuring robust safeguarding processes and immediate response to concerns.

Provide clinical expertise in complex cases and family support planning.
Ensure risk assessments are thorough, dynamic, and reflective of families' evolving needs.

Promote a culture of psychological safety and open communication across the team.

Workforce Development & Support

Line manage and mentor Area Care Team Leaders and Senior Carers, nurturing leadership confidence and capability.

Lead on recruitment, and competency development for care staff.

Directly support and develop supervision, within the senior leadership team

Build strong nursing teams across all hubs and establish student nurse placements to support learning and professional growth.

Work with the Training & Development function to ensure staff training aligns with the needs of children and families.

Support the introduction of apprenticeships and continued professional development opportunities.

Innovation, Business Growth & Financial Oversight

Contribute to the expansion of care hubs, ensuring consistent quality and culture across regions.

Work with the CEO to support financial planning, budget management, and long-term sustainability.

Develop and implement growth plans for new care and support pathways, aligning with strategic objectives.

Identify and respond to opportunities for new service areas and community partnerships.

Collaborate with the Stewardship and Communications Leads to strengthen the organisation's voice, presence, and influence.

Actively engage with Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), commissioners, and key partners to promote collaboration and innovation.

Support data-driven decision-making, ensuring cost-effectiveness without compromising quality.

Contribute to solving operational and systemic challenges, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Representation & Collaboration

Represent Lagan's Foundation at professional, clinical, and partnership meetings.

Build collaborative relationships with NHS, social care, and voluntary sector partners.

Advocate for social care as a strong and equal partner in the wider health system.

Champion the excellence, compassion, and innovation that make Lagan's Foundation unique.

Ensure that families' voices are heard and reflected in service design, influencing local and national discussions around children's complex care.

Person Specification

Essential:

Registered Nurse (Children's, Learning Disability, or RGN with paediatric experience) - active NMC PIN required.

Strong leadership and people management experience.

Experience in community-based or family-centered care.

Knowledge of safeguarding, clinical governance, and quality improvement.

Experience in financial or resource management within a service setting.

Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organisational skills.

Passion for supporting families of children with complex health needs.

Desirable:

Experience in charity, hospice, or home-based care settings.

Familiarity with CQC processes and compliance.

Experience working with commissioners, ICBs, and multidisciplinary partners.

Understanding of family support and donated care services.

Experience contributing to business planning or growth strategies.

Personal Attributes

Compassionate and family-focused.

Calm, confident, and decisive under pressure.

Motivational leader and excellent communicator.

Innovative thinker with strategic and financial awareness.

Resilient and flexible in a fast-developing organisation.

Passionate advocate for excellence in social care and the mission of Lagan's Foundation.

Employee Benefits

33 days holiday including statutory bank holidays

Hospital Saturday Fund - Health Cash Plan

Flex Benefits including salary sacrifice scheme

Access to 24/7 counselling, wellbeing support, and staff discounts via our employee benefits platform

On-site parking

Hybrid working (minimum 3 days in the office per week)

Investment in CPD

The chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of children and families

To Apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining how your experience aligns with the role and our values. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview and may be asked to complete a practical task.

Help us make a real difference--one message, one family, one heart at a time.

Further queries or for more information please contact

Applications@lagans.org.uk

or call

01204 800300 (option 4 for recruitment).

Be Yourself

Lagan's Foundation embraces Diversity and Inclusion. We celebrate what makes us different, as well as what we have in common. This enables us to work better as one team shaping a dynamic, innovative and inclusive culture.

Lagan's Foundation is a

Disability Confident Committed

employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of our recruitment process, please get in touch and let us know. We're also happy to discuss flexible working options should the role accommodate it.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 1.00 per hour

Benefits:

Bereavement leave Company pension Free parking Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking Work from home
Application question(s):

Do you hold an active NMC PIN and have experience delivering complex clinical care for children and young people, including adherence to CQC standards? Do you have at least 3 years of experience managing healthcare or social care teams, including staff supervision, training, and performance management? Please describe how your professional values and approach to care align with supporting children with complex needs and their families.
Licence/Certification:

full UK driving license (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Willingness to travel:

75% (preferred)
Work Location: In person