Job summaryAn exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Children's Nurse Leader to join our Children's Services team as Paediatric Matron on a 12-month fixed-term contract or a secondment opportunity. Due to the current postholder themselves taking up a secondment opportunity, we are seeking an inspiring and compassionate leader who is passionate about delivering high-quality care for babies, children, young people and their families.
This is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience across a wide range of children's services while contributing to exciting quality improvement and service development work already underway across the division.
Whether you are an experienced Matron or an ambitious senior nurse looking to take the next step in your leadership journey, you will be supported by a dedicated and experienced senior leadership team.
Main duties of the jobThe successful candidate will provide visible clinical and operational leadership across the paediatric footprint including Starfish Children's Ward, Safari Day Unit and Ambulatory Care, and Children's Outpatient Departments across Watford and Hemel Hempstead. Working closely with the Deputy Director of Nursing for Paediatrics, Clinical Directors, Operational and multidisciplinary colleagues, you will support the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality care across Children's Services.
You will lead and support quality improvement initiatives, workforce development, clinical governance, patient experience and service development, helping to shape future models of care for babies, children and young people.
The postholder will also work closely with our Children's Clinical Nurse Specialist teams, including our highly regarded Transition Service, and collaborate with Urgent and Emergency Care colleagues to improve pathways and outcomes for babies, children and young people.
We are looking for a credible, compassionate and approachable leader with excellent communication skills, a passion for continuous improvement and a commitment to developing high-performing teams.
About usWith a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance.www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require support or guidance please contactwestherts.recruitment@nhs.net If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.
We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.DetailsDate posted: 10 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £59,798 to £67,020 a year
pa inc. HCA
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 360-D-11790
Job locations: Watford General Hospital, Watford, WD18 0HB, United Kingdom
Job responsibilitiesThe Paediatric Matron is responsible for the operational and professional leadership of designated children's services, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality care. The postholder will provide visible leadership within clinical areas, maintaining oversight of patient safety, workforce, clinical standards, governance, complaints management and service performance.
The role works closely with Senior Sisters, Clinical Nurse Specialists, medical colleagues, operational teams and the wider Women and Children's leadership team to support service delivery and implementation of local and national priorities.
The postholder will contribute to service improvement, workforce planning, risk management and the ongoing development of children's services.
Core working hours are Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 16:00. Flexibility will be required to meet service needs, including participation in the Senior Nurse & AHP rota. Requests for flexible working and job share arrangements will be considered in line with service requirements.
Person SpecificationEducation and QualificationsEssential- Registered Children's Nurse (RSCN/RN Child) with current NMC registration
- Leadership or management qualification, or equivalent experience
Desirable- Master's degree or working towards APLS/EPLS
KnowledgeEssential- Knowledge of current national and local children's healthcare agendas
- Knowledge of Clinical Governance, patient safety and risk management
- Knowledge of safeguarding children procedures and responsibilities
ExperienceEssential- Significant post-registration experience within children's services
- Experience of leading teams and managing staff performance
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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.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 (Opens in a new tab).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 (Opens in a new tab).Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).Employer detailsEmployer name: West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Address: Watford General Hospital, Watford, WD18 0HB, United Kingdom
Employer's website: http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact detailsFor questions about the job, contact: Deputy Director of Nursing, Paediatrics, Sophie Dudley, sophie.dudley2@nhs.net, 07779925075
Supporting documentsPrivacy notice: West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)
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