At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality assurance and governance for a values-driven adult social care provider.
- Company: Calm Futures, dedicated to high-quality, person-centred 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 committed to continuous improvement and safeguarding excellence.
- Why this job: Shape and influence quality across a growing organisation while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Significant senior leadership experience in adult social care and proven quality improvement skills.
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
- Experience managing organisational risk and regulatory relationships
- 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 Quality and Governance 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, ensuring that services are safe, effective, and person-centred. 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 in the sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Quality and Governance 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 Calm Futures 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 it.
✨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 expertise effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Quality and Governance 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 Quality and Governance role. Highlight your leadership experience in quality assurance and governance, and don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications!
Showcase Your Achievements:Use your written application to showcase your past successes in improving quality and compliance within adult social care. Share specific examples of how you've led audits or inspections, and the positive outcomes that resulted from your efforts.
Be Person-Centred:Remember, this role is all about person-centred care! In your application, emphasise your commitment to ensuring services are safe and effective for those you support. Share how you’ve involved service users and their families in the development of services.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and you’ll find all the details you need to make your submission stand out!
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 quality assurance, governance, and safeguarding practices, as these will be key topics during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to discuss your previous leadership experiences, especially in adult social care or similar environments. Think of specific examples where you led quality improvement initiatives or managed compliance issues, and be ready to explain how you navigated challenges.
✨Demonstrate a Person-Centred Approach
Since the role focuses on person-centred care, come prepared with examples that highlight your commitment to this approach. Share stories that illustrate how you’ve involved service users and their families in decision-making processes and improvements.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in complex safeguarding and organisational risk matters. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making strategies in these situations to show your expertise and judgement.
