Adult Social Care Inspector - South Network in London

Overview

Grade B - £42,044 (National Framework) or £47,900 (London Framework - if you are London office based or homebased and live 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: Permanent

Closing date: Sunday 8th February 2026 at 11.59pm

We are currently accepting applications from candidates based in the following areas: The London boroughs or within reasonable travel distance to the boroughs: Hillingdon, Houslow, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster. If you live outside these areas, we are unable to progress your application on this occasion.

Please note, in line with our new Learning Disability guidance if successful, you may be required to undertake some work outside of regular working hours.

Role purpose

Make a difference. Every role at CQC contributes to our mission. If you are looking for a new role in Operations that gives a true sense of meaning and purpose, then you have found it. As an Adult Social Care Inspector, you will help make sure people receive safe, kind, high-quality care every day.

Picture this

Imagine stepping into a service where people rely on care teams for dignity, safety and support. You listen, observe and gather stories that help build a fair picture of the care people receive. As an Adult Social Care Inspector- London Network, you might get the chance to lead inspection visits that shine a light on what providers are doing well and where they need to improve. You could work on assessments that turn real concerns from families, staff or partners into clear actions that help protect people.

The role

• Carry out assessments: Plan and lead on-site and off-site assessments so services meet safety and quality standards, using evidence to reach fair and clear judgments.
• Build strong relationships: Work with care providers, local partners and people who use services to understand risk, share insights and support positive change.
• Use and analyse information: Review data, feedback and concerns to spot patterns, guide decisions and keep an accurate, digital record of what you find.
• Take Enforcement action: Take appropriate enforcement action where safety and quality concerns are identified.

Show Us

We will be looking for specific skills, knowledge and experience in your application form:

• Experience working in health or social care: This could include work in adult social care, the NHS, care regulation or similar settings where you have supported people or overseen quality.
• Ability to assess risk and make decisions: Demonstrate when you have used information, feedback or data to form clear judgments and take appropriate action.
• Experience working with others to improve quality: Show how you have built relationships, handled sensitive situations and worked with partners or teams to support better outcomes.

Join us and help CQC shape the future of health and care.

Compliance

To progress your application, you will need to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK. Without 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.

Next steps

If you apply, you will need to create a profile and complete an online application form. Your application will be completely anonymous. Please see our information for applicants for more details on the process. We contact every applicant to let them know the outcome of their application, so you will hear from us whether or not you are shortlisted.

Please note that we may not have immediate vacancies within the Network area for all successful candidates. If you are successful following interview and there is not an immediate vacancy in your Network area, we will seek your permission to contact you if a suitable position arises.

Selection Process

Shortlisted Candidates will go through a two-stage assessment process for this role:

• Written Exercise - online via email.
• Formal Interview - via MS Teams.

If you are successful in the written exercise, you will be invited to attend a virtual interview via MS Teams.

Travel Required: Inspectors are required to regularly travel within the patch you work in and may occasionally be asked to travel across the South network or further for national meetings.

If you would like an informal chat about the role contact – please email recruitment@cqc.org.uk.

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 £4.99 and valid for 2 years), reward vouchers, car leasing and more!

Please see our benefits page for the full list.

Equity and inclusion

We know job descriptions can feel intimidating. We encourage you to apply. We promote a workplace where fairness, respect and inclusion are a priority. If you need adjustments to our process, we will work with you to remove any barriers. Visit our accessibility page for more on this. If you would like to chat, please contact recruitment@cqc.org.uk. We welcome applications from everyone, including people of any age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, ethnicity, disability.

We promote a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Values and vision

We are guided by our core values, which shape our work and our culture. Excellence – caring – integrity – teamwork. We are a disability confident employer and a carer confident employer.