Job overview
We are looking for a compassionate, motivated, and experienced Registered Children's Nurse to join our team as a Deputy Ward Leader. This is an exciting opportunity to take the next step in your leadership career, playing a key role in delivering exceptional, child and family-centred care within our busy children's ward.
Working alongside the Ward Leader and senior nursing team, you will help lead, motivate, and develop a skilled multidisciplinary team, ensuring every child and family receives safe, high-quality, evidence-based care. In the absence of the Ward Leader, you will confidently manage the ward, coordinating clinical activity, supporting staff, and ensuring the effective day-to-day running of the service.
As Deputy Ward Leader, you will champion continuous improvement by contributing to clinical audit, research, quality improvement initiatives, and service development. You will mentor colleagues, support the development of students and newly qualified nurses, and help foster a positive and inclusive working environment.
This rewarding role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and their families while developing your leadership skills within a supportive organisation. If you are passionate about delivering outstanding paediatric care, committed to professional excellence, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
To understand the role in more detail, please refer to the attached job description and person specification.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To understand the role in more detail, please refer to the attached job description and person specification.
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 2 years at E grade
- Ability to analyse and make decisions in relation to family risk and care in complex cases
- Effective communicator. Articulate verbally and written. Able to provide and receive complex or sensitive information
Desirable
- Ability to lead and develop staff
Qualifications
Essential
- Current NMC registration (RN child, RSCN, Midwife)
- Evidence of professional / clinical knowledge acquired through CPD and experience
- Teaching qualification
Desirable
- Degree level studies or working towards Teaching qualification
- Management qualification
- Attendance at LEO or equivalent course
Further Training
Essential
- Demonstrates involvement in development of protocols and clinical audit
Desirable
- Evidence of involvement of practice or policy changes arising from audit
- Paediatric advanced life support training
Knowledge Requirements
Essential
- Able to take charge in the absence of Ward leader providing care in line with Trust policies and procedures
- Specialist clinical knowledge based on research evidence
- Involvement in leadership, teaching and mentorship
Desirable
- Evidence of involvement in change / project management incorporating staff or patient involvement
- Evidence of basic research and development appreciation and application within a given area
Contractual Requirements
Essential
- 24 hour cover internal rotation to night duty
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Deputy Ward Leader with Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Sutton In Ashfield, Midlands, England. It is listed as a Band 6 Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £39,959 - £48,117 pro rata per annum. The contract type is Permanent: Shift work. The application deadline is 19 Jul 2026.
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