At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality assurance and governance for children's services, ensuring safety and compliance.
- Company: Calm Futures, a values-led adult social care provider focused on high-quality support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 23 days annual leave, ongoing professional development, and CPD support.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to continuous improvement and person-centred care.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on quality and safeguarding in a growing organisation.
- Qualifications: Significant leadership experience in adult social care and knowledge of CQC regulations.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ 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
- CQC Fundamental Standards Governance and risk management
- 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
Benefits
- 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
Quality Manager Children's Services in Essex, Witham employer: Calm Futures
Calm Futures is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and values-driven work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the individuals they serve. With a strong commitment to professional development, employees benefit from ongoing training and opportunities to influence quality improvements within a growing organisation dedicated to providing high-quality, person-centred care. Located in a vibrant community, Calm Futures fosters a collaborative environment where staff can thrive and make a meaningful impact in the lives of those with learning disabilities and complex needs.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Quality Manager Children's Services 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 makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on articulating your experience in quality management and how it relates to safeguarding and compliance.
✨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 Quality Manager Children's Services in Essex, Witham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Quality Manager role. Highlight your experience in quality assurance, governance, and compliance, and show how you align with Calm Futures' values.
Showcase Relevant Experience:When detailing your work history, focus on your senior leadership experience within adult social care and any direct involvement with CQC regulations. We want to see how you've led quality improvement initiatives and managed organisational risks.
Be Person-Centred:Remember, this role is all about person-centred care. Use your application to demonstrate your commitment to safeguarding and improving outcomes for individuals with learning disabilities and autism. Share examples that illustrate your approach.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows your enthusiasm for joining our team at Calm Futures!
How to prepare for a job interview at Calm Futures
✨Know Your Quality Standards
Familiarise yourself with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulations and fundamental standards. Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure compliance and quality assurance in your role, as this will show your understanding of the regulatory landscape.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Highlight your previous leadership roles within adult social care or similar environments. Share specific examples of how you've led quality improvement initiatives or managed audits and inspections, demonstrating your ability to drive change and maintain high standards.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Anticipate questions that may ask how you would handle complex safeguarding issues or organisational risks. Think through your approach to problem-solving and decision-making in these scenarios, as it will showcase your critical thinking and professional judgement.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Discuss your commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Be ready to share examples of how you've implemented feedback mechanisms or co-production strategies to enhance service delivery and ensure that the voices of those supported are heard.
