At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality assurance and governance for impactful adult social care services.
- Company: Calm Futures, a values-led provider of high-quality support for adults with complex needs.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 23 days annual leave, ongoing professional development, and CPD support.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on continuous improvement and positive outcomes.
- Why this job: Shape the future of care and make a real difference in people's lives.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in adult social care and knowledge of CQC regulations required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
The Head of Quality and Governance provides strategic leadership for quality assurance, governance, safeguarding, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement across Calm Futures. The postholder is responsible for ensuring services are safe, effective, person-centred, and outcomes-focused, while maintaining compliance with relevant legislation, Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulations, and recognised best practice standards.
As a member of the Senior Management Team, the role provides independent oversight and assurance across regulated and non-regulated services, leading the organisation’s approach to quality improvement, organisational risk, safeguarding governance, inspections, and regulatory engagement.
Calm Futures is a values-led adult social care provider delivering high-quality, person-centred support across supported living, residential care, and specialist services for adults with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs.
- Organisational lead for safeguarding, quality, and governance
- Provides independent oversight and challenge across operational services
- Holds delegated authority for regulatory and compliance judgement
- Maintains oversight and accountability for organisational quality, governance, and compliance risks
Strategic Quality and Governance Leadership
- Lead the development and implementation of the organisation’s quality and governance strategy
- Embed a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and learning across all services
- Ensure quality frameworks support outstanding person-centred care and positive outcomes
- Oversee the development and review of organisational policies, procedures, and governance frameworks to ensure compliance with legislation, regulatory standards, and best practice
- Provide strategic oversight of organisational governance, safeguarding, compliance, and risk management arrangements
Regulatory Compliance and Assurance
- CQC Regulations and Fundamental Standards
- Positive Behaviour Support and restrictive practice governance
- Ensure effective systems are in place to monitor compliance, identify risk, and support continuous improvement
- Lead organisational readiness for inspections and regulatory reviews
- Provide expert guidance and support to senior leaders and Registered Managers on quality and compliance matters
- Maintain oversight of regulatory action plans, service improvements, and governance reporting
Safeguarding, Risk and Organisational Oversight
- Provide strategic leadership for safeguarding governance across the organisation
- Oversee serious incidents, investigations, complaints, whistleblowing concerns, and regulatory notifications
- Exercise professional judgement in complex safeguarding and organisational risk matters
- Maintain oversight of organisational risk registers, incident trends, lessons learned, and improvement actions
- Lead governance oversight of restrictive practices and behavioural support approaches where applicable
Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement
- Lead the organisation’s audit and quality assurance framework
- Analyse audits, incidents, complaints, feedback, and performance data to identify themes, risks, and opportunities for improvement
- Provide strategic oversight of digital care and quality management systems to support governance, reporting, compliance, and service improvement
- Ensure robust action planning and sustainable improvement following audits, inspections, incidents, and investigations
- Monitor service quality across all locations and provide support and challenge where improvement is required
- Promote co-production and ensure the voices of people supported, families, and staff inform service development and improvement
Leadership and Management
- Provide leadership, direction, and professional oversight to quality, compliance, and governance functions
- Support and challenge operational leaders to maintain safe, effective, and high-quality services
- Build organisational capability through coaching, mentoring, training, and leadership development
- Lead organisational learning and the sharing of best practice across services
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Local Authorities
- Lead responses to inspections, safeguarding reviews, serious incidents, and regulatory concerns
Mobilisation and Service Development
- Provide governance and regulatory oversight for new services and service developments
- Ensure services are established in line with regulatory, safeguarding, staffing, and quality requirements
- Ensure governance frameworks, policies, and quality systems are embedded from service commencement
- Support organisational growth through quality-led service development and innovation
- Participate in senior management on-call arrangements
- Provide strategic leadership and decision-making support during serious incidents, safeguarding matters, and regulatory escalations
- Act as a senior escalation point for organisational risk and crisis management issues
Qualifications and Experience
- Significant senior leadership experience within adult social care, health, or specialist care services
- Extensive experience within CQC regulated environments
- Proven experience leading inspections, audits, investigations, and quality improvement programmes
- Experience supporting people with learning disabilities and autism
- Professional qualification in Health and Social Care, Leadership, or a related field
- Level 7 Leadership or Management qualification
- IOSH or NEBOSH qualification
- Lead Auditor or Quality Improvement qualification
- Experience supporting organisational growth, mobilisation, or transformation programmes
- Knowledge of Positive Behaviour Support frameworks
Key Attributes
- Safe, high-quality, and compliant services across Calm Futures
- Strong governance, safeguarding, and organisational oversight
- Positive regulatory relationships and inspection outcomes
- Effective identification and mitigation of organisational risk
- Continuous improvement and measurable service quality outcomes
Competitive salary, ~23 days annual leave plus bank holidays, ongoing professional development and CPD support, opportunity to shape and influence quality across a growing organisation.
Locations
Head of Governance and Quality in Essex, Witham employer: Calm Futures
Calm Futures is an exceptional employer that prioritises a values-led approach to adult social care, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture. With a strong commitment to professional development, employees benefit from ongoing training and the opportunity to influence quality across a growing organisation, all while ensuring safe and effective services for individuals with learning disabilities and complex needs. Located in a dynamic environment, Calm Futures fosters a culture of continuous improvement and accountability, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Governance and Quality in Essex, Witham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their approach to quality and governance, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they're about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to safeguarding and compliance. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your achievements effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our organisation.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Governance and Quality in Essex, Witham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Head of Governance and Quality role. Highlight your leadership experience in quality assurance and governance, as well as your understanding of CQC regulations.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use concrete examples of how you've led quality improvement initiatives or navigated regulatory challenges in previous roles. This will help us see the impact you can bring to Calm Futures.
Be Person-Centred:Remember, this role is all about person-centred care. Illustrate how you've put individuals at the heart of your work, whether through safeguarding practices or service improvements. We want to know how you prioritise the needs of those you support.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Calm Futures!
How to prepare for a job interview at Calm Futures
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulations and fundamental standards. Brush up on your knowledge of governance, safeguarding, and quality assurance frameworks relevant to adult social care. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the role but also passionate about maintaining high standards.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a potential Head of Governance and Quality, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership experience. Prepare examples of how you've led teams through audits, inspections, or quality improvement programmes. Highlight your ability to foster a culture of continuous improvement and accountability within an organisation.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in complex safeguarding and organisational risk matters. Think of specific instances where you’ve had to exercise professional judgement and how you navigated those challenges. This will help interviewers see your critical thinking in action.
✨Engage with Their Values
Calm Futures is a values-led organisation, so it’s important to align your responses with their mission. Reflect on how your personal values resonate with theirs, especially regarding person-centred care and supporting individuals with learning disabilities and autism. This connection can set you apart from other candidates.
