University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Matron for Community Paediatrics

The closing date is 23 November 2026

Job summary
As a key member of the Clinical Management Team, working under the professional direction of the Director of Nursing & Midwifery, the Matron is responsible for the implementation of National and corresponding Local Nursing Strategy.

Specifically, this means delivering the complex agenda as defined by the Matrons Charter, the NHS Institute's 'High Impact Actions' and other National/Local guidance and policies, adopting a highly visible and accessible approach for patients, leading by example in empowering and developing staff to undertake a greater range of clinical activities in order to modernise and improve patient care

Please note that applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome.

Available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity. (With current line manager's agreement).

Main duties of the job
Responsible for managing nursing teams, clinical leadership, infection prevention and control and standards of patient care across the childrens community nursing team, Special school nursing team, diabetes specialist nursing team, nurse led bladder and bowel service. Linking with intiatives to improve integration of services and care across community provisions, education settings, home and acute settings to ensure seemless provision of care and support for children with chronic and complex health issues.

Responsible for the performance management of key individuals in respect of the nursing contribution to service delivery.

About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details
Date posted: 09 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year
Contract: Secondment
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 216-NB-DA8372913

Job locations
Child Development Centre, Scott Business Park, Beacon Park Road, Plymouth, PL2 2PQ, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities

• To set and monitor high standards of clinical care, underpinned by sound evidence based knowledge and Essence of Care principles ensuring quality systems are in place to monitor practice.
• Lead and ensure the delivery of Infection Control practice as defined by National recommendations and the Director of Infection Prevention and Control and Hygiene Code.
• Leading the development & implementation of standards of cleanliness in line with the Health & Social Care Act 2008 (commonly referred to as the Hygiene Code) and ensure provision of catering meets agreed standards, with action being taken in cases of exception.
• Health and Safety standards, leading investigation and follow up of all clinical incidents (as per the Trusts Clinical Incident Reporting policy), and complaints.
• Supporting Sisters/Charge Nurses in the application of Clinical Governance processes
• Ensuring that patients and relatives have the opportunity to meet the post holder and that they have access to the Patient Advocacy Liaison Service (PALS).
• Support the Head of Nursing with the co-ordination, at Service Line level, the resolution of complaints and clinical incidents including investigating, organising meetings with complainants, writing response letters and constructing/implementing/reviewing agreed action plans ensuring such feedback drives an improvement in standards.
• Sharing lessons learnt from complaints/incidents within the wider corporate body and ensuring action plans are implemented.
• Participate in the Investigation and follow up actions from Incident report, employing RCA Tools to SUIs and Infection Control issues. This may at times include acting as the lead investigator for a serious incident.
• Maintaining own clinical competence and active NMC registration ensuring at least 20% of role is undertaken through clinical activity, acting as a role model.

For further details please see enclosed JD & PS

Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential

• Considerable demonstrable experience of leadership at Senior Sister /Charge Nurse or equivalent demonstrable experience level.
• Up to date and relevant demonstrable clinical experience.
• Demonstrable Experience of: Human Resources Processes; Handling clinical incidents and complaints; Clinical governance and Risk management; Budgetary management
• Proven awareness of the NHS Agenda, national directives and all Governance aspects of health care, especially around community paediatrics.
• Proven awareness of equality and diversity
• Demonstrable experience of quality improvement, patient safety and governance initiatives

Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Healthcare Professional or equivalent
• Educated to Degree level in a healthcare related subject, or equivalent demonstrable experience.
• Mentorship course or equivalent
• Recognised Risk Assessors course
• Management /Leadership qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience.

Desirable

• Educated to Masters level in a healthcare related subject / or working towards.
• Post registration qualification in the specialty area or equivalent.
• RCN Leadership course or equivalent

Aptitude & Abilities
Essential

• Good communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels
• Effective influencing and negotiating skills: in general and with senior health care professionals.
• Ability to influence and negotiate at all levels
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Ability to analyse complex information and make proven evidence-based decisions

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

Employer details
Employer name: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Employer's website: https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Head of Nursing for Paediatrics, Nat Howes, n.howes@nhs.net, 01752437478

Supporting documents
Privacy notice: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust's privacy notice