Head of Supportive Care

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and

transform a diverse portfolio of supportive care services, ensuring that people

living with life-limiting illness, and those important to them, receive

outstanding, person-centred support that enables them to live well until the

end of life.

Reporting to the Director of Care, you will

provide strategic, operational and professional leadership across a broad range

of services.

As a key member of the Hospice leadership team, you will lead the development and delivery of our supportive care strategy in line with the Hospice Strategy 2026-2031. You will drive service transformation, develop innovative models of care, strengthen community partnerships, expand volunteer-led services, reduce health inequalities and improve outcomes for patients, families and carers.

You will work collaboratively across the Hospice, the North East London Integrated Care System, voluntary sector partners and local communities to ensure our services remain accessible, responsive and sustainable.

A significant aspect of the role is leading engagement with diverse communities, increasing awareness of hospice services, developing strategic partnerships and supporting the ambitions of compassionate communities across East London.

The post holder will also act as the Hospice's Designated Safeguarding Lead for Adults and Children, providing organisational leadership and assurance on safeguarding practice and governance.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an experienced senior leader who can demonstrate:

• Professional registration within a health or social care profession.
• Significant senior leadership experience within palliative care, community health, supportive care or social care services.
• Experience of leading large multidisciplinary teams and complex services.
• Strong strategic planning, operational management and service transformation skills.
• Experience of partnership working across health, social care, community and voluntary sector organisations.
• A strong understanding of safeguarding legislation, governance, quality improvement and regulatory requirements.
• Experience of budget management, workforce planning and service development.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A commitment to inclusion, reducing health inequalities and improving access to care for underserved communities.
• A leadership style that reflects the values of compassion, advocacy, justice, quality and respect for human dignity.

About us

Founded in 1905 by the Sisters of Charity, St Joseph's Hospice provides specialist palliative and end-of-life care for the diverse communities of East London. We are committed to delivering outstanding care and creating a culture where patients, families, volunteers and staff feel valued, supported and empowered.

Our mission is to help people live as fully as possible, for as long as possible, when facing life-limiting illness.

Why Join Us?

• 27 days holiday plus public holidays, increasing up to 33 days with service
• Subsidised cafe and early access to retail sale events
• Season ticket loan
• Continuation of NHS Pension Scheme or an excellent salary-exchange pension scheme
• Santander cycles discount and cycle to work scheme
• Health Cash Plan and access to the EAP services

Join St Josephs team and find out more!

Details

Date posted

12 October 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£73,474.49 to £83,959.64 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

E0339-26-0017

Job locations

Mare Street

London

E8 4SA

United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Lead the development and delivery of the Supportive Care Services

Departmental Plan in line with the Hospice Strategy 2026 - 2031.

Develop innovative approaches to supportive and rehabilitative

palliative care that increase reach, accessibility and impact.

Contribute to organisational planning, governance, quality improvement

and business development initiatives.

Ensure services support the Hospice vision that everyone with a

life-limiting illness is supported to live well until the end of life.

Champion the Hospice values of compassion, advocacy, justice, quality

and respect for human dignity.

Service Development and Community Engagement

Lead the development

and transformation of integrated supportive care services across inpatient,

outpatient, and community, virtual and volunteer-led settings.

Drive innovation,

service redesign and the expansion of supportive care, rehabilitation and

wellbeing services to improve access, outcomes and sustainability.

Ensure services are

responsive to the needs of diverse and underserved communities, reducing health

inequalities and improving equitable access to hospice care.

Develop strategic

partnerships with healthcare providers, commissioners, community and voluntary

sector organisations to strengthen service delivery and community engagement.

Lead initiatives that

raise awareness of hospice services and support the co-production of services

with patients, carers, volunteers and community stakeholders.

Provide strategic

leadership for volunteer services, expanding volunteer-led programmes and

demonstrating their impact through measurable outcomes.

Identify opportunities

for service growth, research, external funding and new models of care that

extend the reach and impact of hospice services.

Represent the Hospice

at local, regional and national forums, promoting excellence in supportive and

rehabilitative palliative care.

Safeguarding

Act as the Hospices

Designated Safeguarding Lead for adults and children.

Provide strategic

leadership and expert advice on safeguarding across all Hospice services.

Lead the development

and implementation of safeguarding policies, procedures and governance

frameworks.

Ensure effective

management of safeguarding concerns, working closely with statutory and partner

agencies.

Promote a culture of

safeguarding, dignity and inclusion across the organisation.

Monitor safeguarding

compliance, training, audits and organisational learning, providing assurance

to senior leadership and the board.

Ensure safeguarding

practice supports the Hospices commitment to quality, equity of access and

protecting vulnerable people.

Research, Education and Innovation

Provide strategic and

operational leadership for supportive care services, ensuring safe, effective,

compassionate and high-quality care.

Lead and develop

managers, multidisciplinary teams and volunteers, promoting a positive,

inclusive and values-driven culture.

Lead workforce

planning, recruitment, succession planning, staff development and wellbeing to

ensure services are sustainable and responsive to future needs.

Promote continuous

learning, innovation, quality improvement and reflective practice.

Ensure effective

governance, safeguarding, risk management, quality assurance and regulatory

compliance across all services.

Monitor performance,

outcomes and key indicators, using data, audit and feedback to drive

improvement and demonstrate impact.

Manage budgets,

resources and workforce utilisation effectively, ensuring value for money and

financial sustainability.

Lead the development

of volunteer contributions across supportive care services, maximising

engagement and impact.

Produce assurance and

performance reports for the Senior Management Team, Committees and Board.

Participate in the Hospice Manager On-Call rota and

contribute to organisational leadership and strategic development.

Management and Workforce Development

Promote evidence-based

practice across supportive care services.

Support research,

innovation and service evaluation activities.

Develop partnerships

with education providers and clinical networks.

Ensure learning from

research and best practice is embedded across services

Participate in the hospice education programme.

Job responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Lead the development and delivery of the Supportive Care Services

Departmental Plan in line with the Hospice Strategy 2026 - 2031.

Develop innovative approaches to supportive and rehabilitative

palliative care that increase reach, accessibility and impact.

Contribute to organisational planning, governance, quality improvement

and business development initiatives.

Ensure services support the Hospice vision that everyone with a

life-limiting illness is supported to live well until the end of life.

Champion the Hospice values of compassion, advocacy, justice, quality

and respect for human dignity.

Service Development and Community Engagement

Lead the development

and transformation of integrated supportive care services across inpatient,

outpatient, and community, virtual and volunteer-led settings.

Drive innovation,

service redesign and the expansion of supportive care, rehabilitation and

wellbeing services to improve access, outcomes and sustainability.

Ensure services are

responsive to the needs of diverse and underserved communities, reducing health

inequalities and improving equitable access to hospice care.

Develop strategic

partnerships with healthcare providers, commissioners, community and voluntary

sector organisations to strengthen service delivery and community engagement.

Lead initiatives that

raise awareness of hospice services and support the co-production of services

with patients, carers, volunteers and community stakeholders.

Provide strategic

leadership for volunteer services, expanding volunteer-led programmes and

demonstrating their impact through measurable outcomes.

Identify opportunities

for service growth, research, external funding and new models of care that

extend the reach and impact of hospice services.

Represent the Hospice

at local, regional and national forums, promoting excellence in supportive and

rehabilitative palliative care.

Safeguarding

Act as the Hospices

Designated Safeguarding Lead for adults and children.

Provide strategic

leadership and expert advice on safeguarding across all Hospice services.

Lead the development

and implementation of safeguarding policies, procedures and governance

frameworks.

Ensure effective

management of safeguarding concerns, working closely with statutory and partner

agencies.

Promote a culture of

safeguarding, dignity and inclusion across the organisation.

Monitor safeguarding

compliance, training, audits and organisational learning, providing assurance

to senior leadership and the board.

Ensure safeguarding

practice supports the Hospices commitment to quality, equity of access and

protecting vulnerable people.

Research, Education and Innovation

Provide strategic and

operational leadership for supportive care services, ensuring safe, effective,

compassionate and high-quality care.

Lead and develop

managers, multidisciplinary teams and volunteers, promoting a positive,

inclusive and values-driven culture.

Lead workforce

planning, recruitment, succession planning, staff development and wellbeing to

ensure services are sustainable and responsive to future needs.

Promote continuous

learning, innovation, quality improvement and reflective practice.

Ensure effective

governance, safeguarding, risk management, quality assurance and regulatory

compliance across all services.

Monitor performance,

outcomes and key indicators, using data, audit and feedback to drive

improvement and demonstrate impact.

Manage budgets,

resources and workforce utilisation effectively, ensuring value for money and

financial sustainability.

Lead the development

of volunteer contributions across supportive care services, maximising

engagement and impact.

Produce assurance and

performance reports for the Senior Management Team, Committees and Board.

Participate in the Hospice Manager On-Call rota and

contribute to organisational leadership and strategic development.

Management and Workforce Development

Promote evidence-based

practice across supportive care services.

Support research,

innovation and service evaluation activities.

Develop partnerships

with education providers and clinical networks.

Ensure learning from

research and best practice is embedded across services

Participate in the hospice education programme.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Significant senior leadership experience within palliative, community or social care services
• Experience of partnership working across health, social care and voluntary sector organisations
• Experience of leading large multidisciplinary teams
• Able to conduct oneself in accordance with the Core Values and of St. Josephs Hospice
• Significant knowledge of adult and childrens safeguarding legislation & procedures
• Experience of budget management and resource planning

Qualifications

Essential

• Professional registration in a health or social care profession
• Masters degree in a relevant subject or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Leadership or management qualification

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Significant senior leadership experience within palliative, community or social care services
• Experience of partnership working across health, social care and voluntary sector organisations
• Experience of leading large multidisciplinary teams
• Able to conduct oneself in accordance with the Core Values and of St. Josephs Hospice
• Significant knowledge of adult and childrens safeguarding legislation & procedures
• Experience of budget management and resource planning

Qualifications

Essential

• Professional registration in a health or social care profession
• Masters degree in a relevant subject or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Leadership or management qualification

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

NHS Careers website .

Additional information

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

NHS Careers website .

Employer details

Employer name

St Joseph's Hospice

Address

Mare Street

London

E8 4SA

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.stjh.org.uk/about-us/our-history/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIx-6rn76G9gIVQYBQBh0ftgaxEAAYASAAEgLITPDBwE (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

St Joseph's Hospice

Address

Mare Street

London

E8 4SA

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.stjh.org.uk/about-us/our-history/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIx-6rn76G9gIVQYBQBh0ftgaxEAAYASAAEgLITPDBwE (Opens in a new tab)

Job responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Lead the development and delivery of the Supportive Care Services

Departmental Plan in line with the Hospice Strategy 2026 - 2031.

Develop innovative approaches to supportive and rehabilitative

palliative care that increase reach, accessibility and impact.

Contribute to organisational planning, governance, quality improvement

and business development initiatives.

Ensure services support the Hospice vision that everyone with a

life-limiting illness is supported to live well until the end of life.

Champion the Hospice values of compassion, advocacy, justice, quality

and respect for human dignity.

Service Development and Community Engagement

Lead the development

and transformation of integrated supportive care services across inpatient,

outpatient, and community, virtual and volunteer-led settings.

Drive innovation,

service redesign and the expansion of supportive care, rehabilitation and

wellbeing services to improve access, outcomes and sustainability.

Ensure services are

responsive to the needs of diverse and underserved communities, reducing health

inequalities and improving equitable access to hospice care.

Develop strategic

partnerships with healthcare providers, commissioners, community and voluntary

sector organisations to strengthen service delivery and community engagement.

Lead initiatives that

raise awareness of hospice services and support the co-production of services

with patients, carers, volunteers and community stakeholders.

Provide strategic

leadership for volunteer services, expanding volunteer-led programmes and

demonstrating their impact through measurable outcomes.

Identify opportunities

for service growth, research, external funding and new models of care that

extend the reach and impact of hospice services.

Represent the Hospice

at local, regional and national forums, promoting excellence in supportive and

rehabilitative palliative care.

Safeguarding

Act as the Hospices

Designated Safeguarding Lead for adults and children.

Provide strategic

leadership and expert advice on safeguarding across all Hospice services.

Lead the development

and implementation of safeguarding policies, procedures and governance

frameworks.

Ensure effective

management of safeguarding concerns, working closely with statutory and partner

agencies.

Promote a culture of

safeguarding, dignity and inclusion across the organisation.

Monitor safeguarding

compliance, training, audits and organisational learning, providing assurance

to senior leadership and the board.

Ensure safeguarding

practice supports the Hospices commitment to quality, equity of access and

protecting vulnerable people.

Research, Education and Innovation

Provide strategic and

operational leadership for supportive care services, ensuring safe, effective,

compassionate and high-quality care.

Lead and develop

managers, multidisciplinary teams and volunteers, promoting a positive,

inclusive and values-driven culture.

Lead workforce

planning, recruitment, succession planning, staff development and wellbeing to

ensure services are sustainable and responsive to future needs.

Promote continuous

learning, innovation, quality improvement and reflective practice.

Ensure effective

governance, safeguarding, risk management, quality assurance and regulatory

compliance across all services.

Monitor performance,

outcomes and key indicators, using data, audit and feedback to drive

improvement and demonstrate impact.

Manage budgets,

resources and workforce utilisation effectively, ensuring value for money and

financial sustainability.

Lead the development

of volunteer contributions across supportive care services, maximising

engagement and impact.

Produce assurance and

performance reports for the Senior Management Team, Committees and Board.

Participate in the Hospice Manager On-Call rota and

contribute to organisational leadership and strategic development.

Management and Workforce Development

Promote evidence-based

practice across supportive care services.

Support research,

innovation and service evaluation activities.

Develop partnerships

with education providers and clinical networks.

Ensure learning from

research and best practice is embedded across services

Participate in the hospice education programme.

Experience

Essential

• Significant senior leadership experience within palliative, community or social care services
• Experience of partnership working across health, social care and voluntary sector organisations
• Experience of leading large multidisciplinary teams
• Able to conduct oneself in accordance with the Core Values and of St. Josephs Hospice
• Significant knowledge of adult and childrens safeguarding legislation & procedures
• Experience of budget management and resource planning

Qualifications

Essential

• Professional registration in a health or social care profession
• Masters degree in a relevant subject or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Leadership or management qualification