Head of Long Term Services West

NHS; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 75,000; Part time

Job summary

A community health organization in Maidstone is seeking a Head of Service for their Adults Long Term Services. This part-time role involves leading strategic service development in community nursing across West Kent. The candidate should have a background in healthcare leadership, excellent management qualifications, and strong experience in clinical governance and service transformation. Passionate leaders eager to improve patient outcomes are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

• Registered Healthcare Professional; Registered nurse.
• Evidence of Management Qualification or relevant experience.
• Full UK/EU driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Manage performance, quality, workforce planning, and financial control.
• Lead service transformation and oversee operational managers.
• Analyze complex data and develop strategic plans.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical governance

Change management

Financial management

Partnership working

Education

Registered nurse

Management Qualification or relevant experience

Job description

Job Summary

Are you an experienced NHS leader ready to shape the future of adult community nursing services? Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a dynamic Head of Service to lead our Adults Long Term Services across ten Primary Care Network areas in West Kent.

This pivotal role offers the opportunity to drive strategic service development, ensure high-quality care delivery, and champion clinical excellence. You'll work closely with the Assistant Director to define service strategy, oversee performance, and empower teams to deliver transformative care. As part of our senior leadership team, you'll collaborate with partners across health and social care, including Primary Care, Acute Trusts, Hospices, and Social Services. If you're passionate about improving patient outcomes, fostering innovation, and leading with compassion, we'd love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

As Head of Service, you will be responsible for the operational and strategic leadership of Community Nursing services. This includes:

• Managing performance, quality, workforce planning, and financial control to meet national standards.
• Leading service transformation, overseeing operational managers, and driving clinical governance.
• Analyzing complex data, developing strategic plans, and representing the locality at quality and performance meetings.
• Contributing to policy development, managing budgets, and supporting staff development.
• Deputising for the Assistant Director and shaping the future of community care in Kent.

Working Pattern

Part‑time, 30 hours per week over 4 days (Monday to Friday). Also required to be on the On‑Call manager rota, including weekends and out of hours.

About the Trust

Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to delivering high standards of patient care and excellent services to improve the health of our communities. We embrace equity, diversity, and inclusion and welcome applications from people with varied backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.

Key Diversity Statement

We ask for information about your protected characteristics on our application forms. This data is confidential and used only to support equity in recruitment.

Application Guidance

As a community trust, many roles require a UK driving licence. If disabled and unable to drive, contact the Recruitment Team at [e-mail] with the vacancy reference.

All information supplied on your application should be true and accurate. You may request an application in an alternative format.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• Registered Healthcare Professional; Registered nurse
• Evidence of Management Qualification or relevant experience
• Full UK/EU driving licence

Desirable Qualifications

• Master's degree level qualification or equivalent experience relevant to management and leadership

Essential Experience

• Leading and implementing change management and expertise
• Senior Management level within the NHS
• Management of budgets
• Successfully leading and motivating staff
• Extensive clinical governance, patient safety and quality improvement experience
• Evidence of applying national policy locally and involvement in effective strategic planning and development
• Understanding of health services infrastructure and its relationship to partner organisations
• Effective partnership working across health and social care platform

Desirable Experience

• Experience of remodelling and restructuring services within the NHS

Essential Knowledge

• How to effectively lead and motivate people, especially in relation to change and patient experience.
• Broad knowledge of key local, regional, and national policy.
• Context and strategies relating to patient safety, quality improvement, and clinical governance.
• Principles of citizen engagement in clinical governance and improving clinical services.
• Current drivers for quality and clinical governance.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Employment Details

• Reference number: 846-7559178-CF-A
• Location: Coxheath Clinic, Coxheath, ME17 4AH
• Band: 8b (Band 8b)
• Salary: £64,455 to £74,896 a year pro rata per annum
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Part‑time
• Posted: 11 December 2025

Contact

Employer: Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Website: https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/