Buildings Governance Officer in Brentwood

The postholder will work closely with the four GP partners as part of a multidisciplinary team, contributing to the effective day‑to‑day running of the practice. They will provide support to all practice staff, helping to maintain a safe, compliant, and well‑organised working environment. The role requires collaboration across clinical and administrative teams, ensuring that governance processes are understood, implemented, and consistently followed throughout the practice.

Main duties of the job

• Planned Renewal and Repair Schedule – Overseeing and maintaining a structured schedule for maintenance, renewal, and repairs of facilities and equipment to ensure safety and efficiency.
• Policies and Procedures Management – Developing, reviewing, and updating policies and procedures to ensure compliance with regulations and best practices.
• Fire Safety and Drills – Organising and documenting regular fire drills, ensuring staff are trained and evacuation procedures are effective and up to date.
• Breakages and Incident Management – Monitoring, reporting, and coordinating the repair of any damages or breakages, ensuring timely resolution and proper documentation.
• Compliance and Record Keeping – Keeping accurate records of inspections, maintenance, drills, and incidents to support audits and regulatory requirements.

About us

Our practice based in the village of Beechwood has almost 14,000 patients. We have our own car park and staff kitchen and common room. We also have a long‑established practice based in the Warley area, which has a growing patient population. There are 4 GP partners and several salaried doctors, advanced nurse practitioners, nurses, HCAs and nursing associates. Our organisation employs around 45 people and our Practice Manager is Vicki Johnson. We look forward to welcoming you to the team!

Job Overview

Job Purpose: The Governance Officer will support the delivery of safe, effective, and high‑quality patient care by ensuring robust governance, compliance, and risk management systems are in place. The postholder will work in line with NHS standards and Care Quality Commission (CQC) requirements to maintain a safe and well‑managed practice environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Governance, Compliance and Quality – Support the implementation and ongoing development of governance frameworks in line with NHS and CQC standards. Develop, review, and update practice policies and procedures to ensure they remain current and compliant. Assist in preparing for CQC inspections and audits, ensuring all required documentation is accurate and up to date. Monitor compliance and highlight areas for improvement.
• Risk Management and Patient Safety – Support the identification, assessment, and management of risks within the practice. Maintain risk registers and ensure appropriate actions are taken to mitigate risks. Promote a culture of safety, openness, and continuous improvement.
• Maintenance, Premises and Equipment – Oversee a planned schedule of maintenance, renewal, and repair of the practice premises and equipment. Ensure all issues relating to repairs and breakages are logged, monitored and resolved in a timely manner. Liaise with external contractors where required.
• Health and Safety – Ensure the practice meets all health and safety requirements in line with NHS guidance. Organise, coordinate and document regular fire drills and ensure evacuation procedures are clearly communicated. Support completion of health and safety risk assessments and ensure actions are followed up.
• Incident Reporting and Learning – Manage systems for reporting significant events, incidents and near misses. Ensure incidents are documented, investigated and reviewed, with learning shared across the team. Support continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Staff Support and Training – Provide guidance and support to all practice staff on governance, policies and procedures. Assist in ensuring staff are aware of and adhere to practice protocols. Support staff training related to compliance and safety where appropriate.
• Working Relationships – Collaborate with clinical and non‑clinical staff to ensure governance processes are embedded across the practice. Liaise with external organisations, including NHS bodies and regulatory agencies, where required.

Key Skills and Experience

• Experience in a governance, compliance or administrative role, ideally within an NHS or healthcare setting.
• Knowledge of CQC standards and NHS governance requirements.
• Strong organisational, analytical and record‑keeping skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.

General

In addition to the above, the postholder will: Maintain confidentiality in line with NHS policies and GDPR. Participate in ongoing training and professional development. Undertake additional duties appropriate to the role as required by the practice.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE level (or equivalent), including English and Maths.
• Evidence of continued professional development.
• Relevant qualification in healthcare administration, governance or management.
• Training in health and safety, risk management or quality improvement.