Quality Assurance Manager in Lincoln

To lead on quality, compliance and governance across the organisation’s CQC-regulated services, ensuring care is consistently Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led.

The post-holder will:

• Make sure the organisation is inspection-ready at all times, not just when CQC is due.
• Identify risk and poor practice early and drive real, measurable improvement.
• Provide senior leaders and Registered Managers with clear assurance and clear challenge.

Key Responsibilities

1. Governance, Compliance & CQC

• Maintain and develop the organisation’s quality and compliance framework in line with:
• Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations
• CQC standards and current guidance
• Ensure policies, procedures and practices reflect CQC fundamental standards and the Single Assessment Framework.
• Lead or support completion of:
• CQC Provider Information Return (PIR)
• CQC registration changes and variations
• Provide expert advice to the senior team and Registered Managers on regulatory requirements and best practice.
• Support services in responding to CQC inspection reports, warning notices, action plans and other regulatory communications.

2. Audit, Monitoring & Quality Improvement

• Design, implement and oversee a scheduled audit programme covering (for example):
• Care planning and documentation
• Medication management
• MCA/DoLS and restrictive practices
• Safeguarding and incident management
• Health and safety, environment and infection control
• Complaints and compliments
• Staffing, training, supervision and recruitment
• Carry out mock CQC inspections and unannounced quality visits, producing clear, evidence-based reports.
• Develop Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs) with Registered Managers and monitor progress to completion.
• Use data from audits, incidents, complaints and feedback to identify themes, trends and hotspots, and drive targeted improvement.

3. Incident, Complaint & Safeguarding Oversight

• Oversee organisational reporting and monitoring of:
• Incidents and accidents
• Safeguarding concerns
• Complaints and serious concerns
• Ensure incidents and complaints are investigated properly, with root causes identified and documented.
• Ensure learning from incidents, complaints and safeguarding cases is:
• Captured
• Shared across services
• Evidenced in changed practice, training, policies or supervision.

4. Data, Reporting & Assurance

• Develop and maintain quality dashboards / scorecards for each service, including key quality and safety indicators.
• Provide regular quality and governance reports to:
• Senior Management Team
• Board / Quality & Governance Committee
• Escalate areas of concern or regulatory risk clearly and promptly, with recommended actions.
• Contribute to strategic planning, highlighting quality and safety implications of service changes or new projects.

5. Policies, Training & Support to Services

• Lead on the review, update and implementation of quality-related policies and procedures.
• Work with Learning & Development / HR to:
• Identify training needs arising from audits, incidents and inspections.
• Ensure quality, safety and regulatory themes are reflected in training content.
• Support and coach Registered Managers and senior staff to:
• Understand regulatory expectations
• Use audits and data effectively
• Prepare for and engage confidently with CQC and commissioners.

6. Culture & Continuous Improvement

• Promote a culture that is:
• Open and honest about mistakes
• Focused on learning, not blame, while still holding people accountable.
• Champion person-centred care, dignity, choice and safety in all quality work.
• Encourage staff at all levels to raise concerns early and contribute ideas for improvement.
• Keep up to date with best practice and regulatory updates and ensure these are reflected in organisational policies and practice.