Director of Care

Job summary

Lead exceptional care. Shape the future of childrens palliative care.

Alexander Devine Childrens Hospice Service is looking for an inspirational and experienced Director of Care to provide strategic, clinical and operational leadership across our medical, clinical and holistic care services.

This is a pivotal role within our organisation. Reporting to the CEO and working closely with the Board of Trustees and Senior Leadership Team, you will be responsible for ensuring that children, young people and their families receive the highest quality, safe and compassionate care.

You will have the opportunity to shape the future direction of our care services at an exciting time in the development of Alexander Devine.

As Director of Care, you will have overall responsibility for the leadership, management, quality and performance of our care services.

Full-time or part-time considered (30 hours minimum)

Location: Maidenhead, Berkshire

You will:

• Provide strong, visible and inspirational clinical leadership across all care services.
• Lead the strategic development of our medical, clinical and holistic care provision.
• Ensure services are safe, effective, evidence-based, family-centred and responsive to the needs of the children and families we support.
• Act as Joint Registered Manager with the Care Quality Commission.
• Provide strategic oversight of clinical governance, quality assurance, risk management, safeguarding and compliance.
• Ensure we are prepared for CQC and other regulatory requirements and that learning from incidents, complaints, audits and research drives continuous improvement.
• Lead and support a highly skilled multidisciplinary Care Team, encouraging a culture of reflection, development, innovation and excellence.
• Work with the CEO and wider Senior Leadership Team to deliver the charity's strategic plan and manage resources effectively.
• Develop strong relationships with Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and support the development and management of commissioned services.
• Represent Alexander Devine locally and nationally, contributing to the wider development of children's palliative care.
• Champion the voice of children, young people and their families, ensuring their experience informs the ongoing development of our services.

Alexander Devine Childrens Hospice Service (Alexander Devine) is a local charity that provides specialist care and vital support to babies, children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families, across Berkshire and into surrounding counties.

We individualise our approach to meet the unique clinical, emotional and practical needs of each child and their family, ensuring they receive the best possible care and support. Our comprehensive range of care services include Respite care, Specialist play, Symptom management, Family support, End of life care and Bereavement support. We provide care from our childrens hospice in Maidenhead as well as in the family home and across the community, including hospitals and schools.

Our hospice facilities offer opportunities for children and their siblings to experience fun, joy and adventures, and help families make precious memories for as long as they have. These include a hydrotherapy pool, sensory room, music room, games room, outdoor playground and sensory garden, six childrens bedrooms and two self-contained family flats. We also have a dedicated bereavement suite with its own garden.

Date posted: 09 September 2026

Pay scheme: Other

Salary: £80,000 to £85,000 a year pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time

Reference number: B

Job locations: Snowball Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 3LU
, United Kingdom

This role is…