Chair of Independent Care (Education) and Treatment Programme
Chair of Independent Care (Education) and Treatment Programme

Chair of Independent Care (Education) and Treatment Programme

Full-Time 42044 - 47900 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
Care Quality Commission

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead independent reviews to advocate for the rights of vulnerable individuals in mental health care.
  • Company: Join the Care Quality Commission, a compassionate regulator for health and social care.
  • Benefits: Generous annual leave, NHS pension contributions, and wellbeing initiatives.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and improve care standards.
  • Qualifications: Experience in mental health services and knowledge of human rights legislation required.
  • Other info: Flexible home-based roles with travel across regions; diverse and inclusive workplace.

The predicted salary is between 42044 - 47900 ÂŁ per year.

Grade B - £42,044 (National) or £47,900 (London – for London office based or home‑based workers within the boundary of the M25). There is also an additional homeworking allowance of £600 per annum for those working from home.

Contracted Hours: Full time 37 hours per week. Contract Type: Fixed Term/Secondment until 31 March 2028. Location: Home‑based – 1 post in the South, 1 post in the Midlands and 1 post in the North – regular travel across the relevant region is essential. Candidates must be willing and able to travel within the stipulated regions and live within the specified regions; location will be carefully considered to ensure that the role and responsibilities are manageable. Please note that the locations you will be required to visit are not always well served by public transport.

About Us: The CQC, or Care Quality Commission, is England's independent regulator for health and adult social care, ensuring services like hospitals, care homes, GPs, and dentists provide safe, effective, compassionate, high‑quality care by registering, monitoring, inspecting, and rating providers, and taking action to improve standards for the public. Through the dedication of our expert teams, we monitor against key questions such as whether care is safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well‑led, giving the public assurance and driving improvement. One of our main commitments is to become a truly inclusive organisation and to role model a diverse and representative culture.

We are now looking for people to chair our Independent Care Education and Treatment reviews of people with a learning disability and autistic people in long‑term segregation in hospital. These roles are to join us on a full‑time basis for a fixed‑term/secondment until 31 March 2028.

Why this could be a great role for you… This is a unique opportunity for an experienced mental health and/or learning disability professional with in‑depth knowledge of the Human Rights Act and the Mental Health Act to join our compassionate regulatory organisation. In this vital role, you will directly influence and advocate for the human rights of some of the most vulnerable people currently detained under the Mental Health Act. You will be responsible for the comprehensive and independent review of people's care and treatment, making recommendations to services to work towards and make real improvements in people's lives. What’s more, you will be part of an organisation whose vision is that everyone receives safe, effective and compassionate care. We will provide you with strong NHS pension contributions, generous annual leave and access to wellbeing and development opportunities, ensuring you’re supported to do work that truly matters.

What you will bring… To be considered for the role of the Chair of Independent Care and Treatment Reviews, you will need:

  • Experience of working in or with inpatient mental health and/or learning disability services.
  • In‑depth knowledge and a working understanding of the Human Rights Act, the MHA, and the Code of Practice.
  • A passion and commitment to improve the lives and experience of people detained under the Mental Health Act.

What you’ll be doing… As an independent Chair of Care Education and Treatment reviews, you will lead an independent team to review the full care and treatment of people with a learning disability and autistic people in long‑term segregation in hospital. Leading this small team, you will coordinate onsite activities, speak with people using services, families, carers, staff and other stakeholders to ensure each person’s lived experience is heard and respected. You will utilise your knowledge to challenge care that does not meet the requirements of the Mental Health Act Code of Practice and highlight risks of human rights breaches. As part of the role, you will make clear, time‑bound recommendations that reduce restrictions and support safe, meaningful progress towards leaving long term segregation and working towards discharge. You will be responsible for following up with services to ensure that progress is being made against the recommendations and highlighting any regulatory concerns.

  • Lead focused reviews of an individual’s full care and treatment.
  • Engage with commissioners, clinicians and stakeholders to support implementation of recommendations.
  • Identify and elevate safeguarding concerns to inspection colleagues.
  • Support delivery of the IC(E)TR programme before, during and after the reviews.
  • Influence and inform the wider inspection programme.

Compliance Note for internal candidates: This is a secondment/fixed‑term opportunity. You must discuss your application with your line manager before applying. To progress your application, you’ll need to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK. Without a valid right to work you won’t be eligible for the role. We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. Some roles may also be subject to a satisfactory DBS check.

The Benefits: We offer a wide range of benefits, including:

  • Annual leave starting at 27 days per year, rising to 32.5 days with service, plus bank holidays (usually 8 days per year).
  • Training and development opportunities.
  • Wellbeing initiatives, such as gym discounts and meditation.
  • NHS pension scheme, with around 14% employer contribution.
  • Discount schemes (including eligibility for a Blue Light card, at a cost of ÂŁ4.99 and valid for 2 years), reward vouchers, car leasing and more!

We promote a workplace where fairness, respect and inclusion are a priority. Diverse teams make our work better, help us deliver our mission and make our culture stronger. We welcome applications from everyone, and colleagues can find support and community among our many employee networks.

Values and vision: We are guided by our core values, which shape our work and our culture.

  • Excellence – being a high‑performing organisation.
  • Caring – treating everyone with dignity and respect.
  • Integrity – doing the right thing.
  • Teamwork – learning from each other to be the best we can.

Chair of Independent Care (Education) and Treatment Programme employer: Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable individuals within the health and social care system. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, generous annual leave, and robust training and development opportunities, CQC fosters a supportive and inclusive work culture that values diversity and integrity. Working from home across various regions allows for flexibility while engaging in vital advocacy work, ensuring that your expertise contributes to real change in the community.
Care Quality Commission

Contact Detail:

Care Quality Commission Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Chair of Independent Care (Education) and Treatment Programme

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those who work with the CQC or in similar roles. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from the competition.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by knowing your stuff! Brush up on the Human Rights Act and the Mental Health Act. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role and how you can make a real difference in the lives of those you’ll be advocating for.

✨Tip Number 3

Show your passion! When you get the chance to speak with interviewers, let your commitment to improving care for vulnerable individuals shine through. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight why this role matters to you.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re all about making the process as smooth as possible, so you’ll hear back from us regardless of the outcome.

We think you need these skills to ace Chair of Independent Care (Education) and Treatment Programme

In-depth knowledge of the Human Rights Act
Understanding of the Mental Health Act
Experience in inpatient mental health services
Experience in learning disability services
Advocacy skills for vulnerable populations
Ability to lead independent reviews
Coordination of onsite activities
Stakeholder engagement
Ability to challenge care practices
Making clear, time-bound recommendations
Follow-up and monitoring of service progress
Identification of safeguarding concerns
Influencing inspection programmes
Commitment to improving lives of detained individuals
Strong communication skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.

Showcase Your Passion: Let us see your commitment to improving the lives of those with learning disabilities and mental health issues. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in similar roles or situations.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your application is easy to read. This helps us focus on your skills and experiences.

Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and can keep you updated on your application status.

How to prepare for a job interview at Care Quality Commission

✨Know Your Legislation

Make sure you have a solid understanding of the Human Rights Act and the Mental Health Act. Brush up on key sections that relate to care and treatment reviews, as this will show your expertise and commitment to improving lives.

✨Showcase Your Experience

Prepare specific examples from your past work in mental health or learning disability services. Highlight situations where you’ve made a difference or advocated for patients' rights, as this will demonstrate your passion and capability for the role.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Think about how you would approach engaging with various stakeholders, including families, carers, and service users. Be ready to discuss your strategies for ensuring their voices are heard during reviews, as this is crucial for the role.

✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills

As a Chair, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you would coordinate onsite activities. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, especially in challenging situations.

Chair of Independent Care (Education) and Treatment Programme
Care Quality Commission

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