Interim Head of Quality and Assurance (Adults Commissioning) in Walsall

6 Month Contract with A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To provide interim strategic leadership for the redesign, transition, and delivery of the adult social care Quality Assurance function within Adults Commissioning at Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council. The role will establish a robust, in-house quality assurance model following the insourcing of previously outsourced arrangements, ensuring effective oversight of the adult social care provider market, improved risk management, and strengthened service quality and safety outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the transition of the Quality Assurance service from an outsourced model back to an in-house function, ensuring continuity, stability, and effective workforce integration.
• Review, redesign, and strengthen governance and oversight arrangements for adult social care quality assurance.
• Develop and embed a refreshed Quality Assurance framework, including provider self-assessment processes and supporting systems or technology.
• Establish and maintain a proactive programme of quality assurance activity across the adult social care provider market, including quality visits and performance monitoring.
• Provide clear oversight of risk across the care market, ensuring timely escalation into safeguarding processes where required.
• Strengthen intelligence-led approaches to quality monitoring, enabling early identification and response to provider performance issues.
• Lead recruitment, development, and capability building within the newly established in-house quality function.
• Embed a culture of accountability, performance, and continuous improvement within the team.
• Work collaboratively with commissioning, safeguarding, and operational colleagues to ensure integrated oversight of quality and safety.
• Provide clear, authoritative advice and reporting to senior leadership on provider quality, market risk, and system performance.

Requirements

• Significant senior-level experience in adult social care quality assurance, provider oversight, or commissioning.
• Proven track record of leading service redesign and transformation programmes within local authority or equivalent settings.
• Experience of transitioning services from outsourced to in-house delivery models.
• Strong knowledge of adult social care provider markets, including regulation, quality standards, and safeguarding frameworks.
• Demonstrable ability to design and implement quality assurance frameworks and performance management systems.
• Experience of managing risk within complex care environments, including escalation and safeguarding processes.
• Strong leadership capability with experience of building, developing, and motivating teams.
• Ability to operate effectively at pace, managing both strategic direction and operational delivery.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders and external providers.

Additional Information

This is an interim assignment of approximately 6 months in duration. The Council is undergoing a significant transformation of its adult social care quality assurance function, moving from an outsourced model to an in-house service. The provider market is diverse and fragmented, with a high proportion of small providers requiring strengthened oversight and support. The postholder will be expected to establish immediate control, assess risk across the system, and implement visible and effective quality assurance arrangements from the outset. The role requires a visible leadership presence and a strong focus on cultural change, shifting the team towards a more proactive and delivery-focused operating model.