Job summary
- Main area
- Paediatrics
- Grade
- 8A
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Job ref
- 390-WAC-SO-7442
- Employer
- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Southend
- Town
- Southend
- Salary
- £55,690 Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time)
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 01/04/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Paediatric Matron
8A
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute hospital provider in the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS), which is a system of health and care partners working together for our local population.
Within Mid and South Essex there are 149 GP practices, operating from over 200 sites, forming 27 Primary Care Networks and one Ambulance Trust. There are also three main community and mental health service providers who work together through a community collaborative.
We collaborate with other valuable partners, including three Healthwatch organisations, nine voluntary and community sector organisations and three top tier local authorities, with seven district, borough and city councils, as well as our local universities.
Job overview
The Paediatric Matron will be responsible for the Paediatric in-patient unit, Children’s Emergency Department, paediatric assessment unit and the paediatric Outpatient Department.
The key to providing a high quality service is the presence of credible nursing leadership that can provide both inspiration and direction and leadership. The Matron will therefore be a highly visible and accessible clinical leader, with a demonstrable commitment to improving the quality of patient care.
You will work within the Paediatric directorate as part of the management team and will take responsibility for the delivery and maintenance of the highest standards of nursing.
Main duties of the job
You will be professionally accountable for standards of nursing and influence the non-clinical contributions that are necessary to care delivery including standards of nutritional provision, cleanliness of the environment and other services that impact on patient care and welfare.
The main duties of the job are detailed within the attached job description.
Working for our organisation
Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.
We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
You will be a highly visible and accessible senior nursing leader, responsible for the Senior Sisters within their areas and accountable to the Associate Director and Deputy Director of Nursing for Paediatrics. Working as part of the Clinical Service Unit Management Team, they will support safe operational delivery across paediatric wards, including capacity management, discharge processes, staffing oversight and ensuring the right skill mix is maintained 24/7.
As a delegated budget holder, they will ensure efficient use of resources, contribute to divisional CIP programmes, and uphold high standards of clinical care, governance, infection prevention, cleanliness, and patient experience through visible leadership and regular clinical presence.
You will drive the implementation of the Nursing and Midwifery Strategy, promote professional development and lifelong learning, and maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of national guidance and best practice.
You will lead audit, quality improvement, policy development, and multidisciplinary communication, ensuring lessons from complaints and incidents are acted upon. They will support Senior Sisters with performance and workforce management, contribute to integrated care pathways, ensure compliance with standards such as CQC and CNST, and participate in divisional governance and project work. T
he role also includes overseeing education and training provision, supporting shared governance and staff empowerment, and developing systems to respond effectively to patient concerns.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Hold current NMC registration as RN Child or RSCN
- Recent evidence of CPD
Desirable criteria
- Educated to Degree level
- Management Qualification
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
- Senior Nurse/Ward Manager experience
- Staff management experience
- Budget Management
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience as Lead Nurse/Matron
- Participated in audit and research
Communication Skills
Essential criteria
- Demonstrates strong leadership skills with proven ability to make sound clinical and operational decisions
Personal and People Development
Essential criteria
- Aware of current professional nursing issues and government charters relevant to role
- Understanding of the modern NHS and current national and local priorities within children’s and young people’s healthcare.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Amy Taylor
- Job title
- Associate Director of Nursing for Paediatrics
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0300 443 5764
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