Director of Care Services

Salary: c£90,000 per annum. Full-time, permanent role based at Christopher’s Hospice Guildford and Shooting Star House Hampton.

About the role

The Director of Care Services will provide knowledgeable, professional, and inspirational leadership to care delivery teams, ensuring the provision and strategic development of multidisciplinary care teams. The role involves working alongside the Director of Clinical Assurance and Operations—who focuses on quality, patient safety, and governance—sharing accountability for the strategic leadership of the Care Directorate while bringing distinct expertise to their respective portfolios.

This model reflects the increasing complexity of children’s hospice care, enabling dedicated executive leadership across service delivery, workforce, quality, patient safety, governance, safeguarding, and organisational assurance. Together, both roles champion the organisation’s commitment to providing outstanding care and support to children, young people, and families while ensuring innovation, responsiveness, and sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire care delivery teams to uphold the organisation’s mission and values.
• Ensure the voices and experiences of children and families influence service delivery and strategies.
• Develop strong working relationships with internal teams, Trustees, and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to the strategic leadership of the Care Directorate alongside the Director of Clinical Assurance and Operations.

Requirements

• Clear passion and strong commitment to the mission and values of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.
• Experience in leadership roles within care or healthcare settings.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Eligibility for a satisfactory DBS check and references.

Benefits

• Pension scheme: NHS Pension Scheme (for eligible employees) or stakeholder pension with up to 7% employer contributions.
• Annual leave: 27 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing with length of service.
• 2 weeks paid sabbatical leave after 5, 10, and 15 years of service.
• Generous sick pay scheme.
• Enhanced maternity, adoption, and paternity leave pay.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Death in service benefits.
• Reimbursed professional membership fees.
• Employee referral scheme.
• Blue Light discount card.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health support.
• Mindfulness sessions and access to Mental Health First Aiders.
• Eye care.