Join our team
Do you enjoy making a real difference? Join a friendly team of people at the heart of your community and support our cause. Whatever your role, whether you are a nurse, shop manager or volunteer, you will be an important part of a team that makes a huge difference to the lives of local children and families.
Nursing roles
Looking for a flexible and rewarding nursing role? Join our incredible nursing team.
Retail roles
Want to retail find a job where you can make a real difference? Take a look at our vacancies.
General vacancies
Looking for a rewarding career move? We’ve got some fantastic roles on offer.
About us
Helen & Douglas House has been caring for local terminally ill children and their families since 1982. We help children and their families at our hospice, at home and in hospital with respite stays, pain relief, symptom management, end-of-life care and bereavement support.
Working for us is not only a chance to do something great, it’s also an opportunity to feel valued and inspired by our cause.
About you
Recognising and rewarding our team matters to us as it’s you who makes the difference.
That is why our benefits are designed with our employees and volunteers in mind. We offer a range of benefits to help you maintain a great work-life balance, take care of your health or plan for retirement.
Our Commitment to FREDIE
We celebrate diversity and aim for an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation.
Learn about our commitment to diversity, including governance and progress measurement. We are working to gain level 1 accreditation in Investors in Diversity and provide FREDIE training to staff.
Be part of a dynamic team where you can make a difference
Employee benefits
Generous holiday allowance
The holiday year runs from the 1st April to the 31st March.
For full time staff, the holiday entitlement is as follows:
• Upon appointment: 202.5 hours. (27 days @ 7.5 hours)
• Following 3 years of service: 210 hours. (28 days @ 7.5 hours)
• Following 5 years of service: 217.5 hours. (29 days @ 7.5 hours).
The hours are pro rata for part-time staff. These hours are not inclusive of the 8 bank holidays a year, so these are extra on top of the 27 days.
Flexible working hours
Helen & Douglas House recognise the importance of a healthy balance between work and life and where possible seek to offer flexible working opportunities for our staff.
We can offer:
• Flexi-Time
• Annualised Hours
• Part time Working
• Job Shares
• Fixed Term Contracts
• Home Working
Generous pensions
There is a Group Personal Pension scheme (GPP) for which the employer contribution is set at 7%, which will be paid conditional upon the employee contributing 6%. If you wish to contribute any amount above the conditional 6%, this can be arranged (subject to prevailing maximum contributions limits), but the employer contribution would remain capped at 7%.
For those transferring directly from NHS within the last 12 months with a pension, Helen & Douglas House are a direction agency for the NHS Pension Scheme. Membership to the NHS pension scheme is available to employees who have contributed to the NHS pension scheme in the previous 12 months. Helen & Douglas House will continue to pay contributions in line with NHS pension’s agency requirements conditional upon you also making the employee contribution required by the NHS scheme.
The pension scheme works on an ‘opt out’ system – you must opt-out if you do not wish to make a contribution, or payments will be taken automatically.
Sick pay entitlement
Sick pay entitlement is as follows:
From the date of your appointment up to 1 year – 1 month’s full pay and one month’s half pay
• After 1 years’ service – 2 months’ full pay and 2 months’ half pay
• After 2 years’ service – 3 months’ full pay and 3 months’ half pay
• After 3 years’ service – 4 months’ full pay and 4 months’ half pay
• After 4 years’ service – 5 month’s full pay and 5 months’ half pay
• After 5 years’ service – 6 months’ full pay and 6 months’ half pay
Enhanced maternity leave & family friendly policies
We want to support all our people who opt to take leave when having or adopting a child. We have policies that aim to provide comprehensive information on these types of leave, including enhanced maternity leave for over 26 weeks continuous service, so that you feel as informed as possible before, during and after your child’s birth or adoption.
If you’re expanding your family, pregnant employees are entitled to 26 weeks Ordinary Maternity Leave, regardless of the length of service.
If you have worked less than 26 weeks at the organisation, then you are entitled to claim Maternity Allowance. If you have 26 weeks or more service, then you are entitled to 39 weeks’ statutory maternity pay.
Access to professional counselling
Helen & Douglas House offer six sessions of counselling in partnership with an organisation called Work Related to support to all of its staff members to address work-related issues.
These are face-to-face, free and confidential.
Personal Development
Helen & Douglas House employees may apply for funding or study leave for training courses, conferences and workshops appropriate to their role, the needs of the organisation and their personal development.
In-house training is also offered via our e-learning system Blue Stream. This covers all mandatory training. You have access to our extensive library as well as coaching sessions with line managers.
• Discount on eye care, cinema tickets, and local shops and restaurants.
• Cycle to work scheme – up to 39% saving on cycling equipment.
• Study leave and funding assistance.
• An Employee Assistance Programme in partnership with Health Assured.
• In-house cafe with home-cooked meals and fresh fruit.