Associate Director of Care

Acorns Children’s Hospice is a leading provider of specialist palliative care for children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families. We are seeking to appoint an experienced and visionary Associate Director of Care to support the strategic and operational leadership of our care services.  The Associate Director will act as a strong role model for all colleagues through credibility and visibility, strong commitment to identifying development opportunities, celebrating success, and encouraging creativity, innovation, and excellence in practice.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of Care, the Associate Director of Care will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, and compassionate care across our hospices and community-based services. The postholder will play a key role in shaping and implementing care strategies that reflect the organisation’s mission and values, while ensuring compliance with all regulatory and statutory requirements.

Working with the Director of Care this role also carries responsibility for developing and maintaining effective external relationships, including with Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), NHS partners, local authorities, and other key stakeholders. The successful candidate will act as a senior ambassador for Acorns, representing the organisation in regional and national forums to influence and support the development and integration of a child-centred palliative care strategy aligning with all age's agenda.

The role will involve strategic planning ensuring service delivery aligns with national guidance and local objectives 

About You

• Registered Nurse or Allied Health Professional
• Evidence of ongoing CPD relevant to the role
• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Proven strategic and transformational leadership experience in healthcare, social care or non-profit sector
• Strong understanding of paediatric palliative care or related services
• Ability to work collaboratively and contribute at senior level to operational and strategic development of care services across the organisation.

What We Offer

• £73,000 to £83,000 per annum, plus car allowance (£3,192 per annum)
• 37.5 hours per week
• Hybrid working
• Employee discounts from leading retailers – including the Blue Light Card
• Health cash plan & Eye Test discount
• Gym membership and equipment discount scheme
• Bike2Work scheme - save up to 42% on bikes and equipment 
• Wellbeing, legal and financial support
• Generous contribution to group personal pension plan (7.5%) or continuation of current NHS pension scheme
• NHS pension scheme life assurance or Acorns group life assurance scheme 

You need to be eligible to work in the UK to be considered for this role. We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and therefore any successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and will be asked to provide at least two satisfactory references.  In addition, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of immunisation against specific diseases or confirm their willingness to receive the necessary vaccinations.

As a UNICEF Gold Rights Respecting organisation, we are committed to ensuring that the United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child is embedded into both culture and practice within the organisation. As an employee you will be a Duty Bearer for Children’s Rights and support all children to be Rights Holders.

If you have any questions, please contact us at recruitment@acorns.org.uk

Find out about our culture, career development, benefits and more here: Why Work for Acorns?