At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality assurance for Supported Living services and drive continuous improvement.
- Company: Salutem, a supportive organisation dedicated to enhancing lives of adults with care needs.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to meaningful life outcomes and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on quality outcomes and support independence for adults in your community.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in health/social care, strong knowledge of CQC regulations, and proven QA experience.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 44000 £ per year.
At Salutem, we support adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and other social care needs to live fulfilling lives. Across our Supported Living and Residential Care services, we are committed to promoting independence, choice, control and meaningful outcomes. Our Supported Living services combine personalised support with individual tenancy arrangements, enabling people to live within their communities while maintaining as much independence as possible.
About You
About The Role
Location: Hybrid (UK-wide remit with regular travel to services; overnight stays as required)
Hours: 40 hours per week
Team: Quality Governance and Compliance
Reporting to: Group Head of Quality Assurance, Compliance and Inspection
Salary is £50k + £3k car allowance.
The Opportunity
We’re recruiting a Quality Assurance & Improvement Manager (QAIM) into our Adult CQC QAIM Team, with a defined portfolio as Supported Living (SL) Quality Lead. This is a key role for an experienced quality professional who understands Supported Living, is confident working to CQC regulations and Reach Standards, and can help services move beyond compliance towards Good and Outstanding outcomes. You’ll be the named QAIM for Supported Living quality—owning clear deliverables and reporting lines—while retaining the ability to flex capacity across adult services in response to operational risk, inspection activity, and business priorities.
What You’ll Be Responsible For
- Lead quality assurance activity across Adult Supported Living services, using Salutem’s assessment framework and annual programme.
- Drive inspection readiness, including mock inspections, evidence packs, and post-inspection action planning.
- Support quality assurance, inspection readiness and quality improvement activity across Residential Care and other adult services as required.
- Provide expert advice on sector-specific standards, including CQC regulatory requirements and REACH Standards within Supported Living.
- Provide structured quality improvement support to help services progress from compliance to sustained improvement (Good to Outstanding).
- Coach and challenge Registered Managers and leaders to strengthen governance and oversight, quality narratives and evidence of impact, person-centred practice and outcomes, learning culture and continuous improvement.
- Produce clear, high-quality reports including thematic findings, risk escalation, and progress tracking.
- Use quality intelligence (audits, incidents, complaints, safeguarding, KPIs) to identify themes, reduce risk and embed learning.
- Work in partnership with Operations, L&D, HR, Safeguarding, PBS, IT and other functions to deliver consistent improvement.
- Act as an ambassador for quality and best practice across Salutem’s adult services.
What We’re Looking For
Essential:
- Significant experience in health and/or social care (typically 5+ years).
- Strong working knowledge of CQC regulations, inspection expectations, and quality frameworks.
- Proven Supported Living experience, including understanding of Reach Standards and how to evidence them in practice.
- Demonstrable experience delivering internal QA activity (audits/inspections/reviews) and supporting services with robust action plans.
- Evidence of leading quality improvement and change implementation across multiple sites.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills (reports, action plans, senior stakeholder updates).
- Strong organisational skills and ability to manage a national workload.
- Willingness to travel regularly across England, including overnight stays.
Desirable specialist:
- Safeguarding: DSL qualification (or willingness to complete within an agreed timeframe).
- Supported Living: Experience of assessing, auditing or supporting services against Reach Standards to drive quality improvement.
Why Join Salutem?
- A national role with real influence on quality, outcomes and culture.
- Opportunity to shape Supported Living, with clear deliverables and governance routes.
- Work alongside committed operational and quality colleagues focused on continuous improvement.
- Be part of an organisation that lives its values: Supportive, Ambitious, Loyal, Unique, Transparent, Engaging, and committed to Meaningful life outcomes.
Quality Assurance & Improvement Manager (Supported Living Quality Lead) – Adults (CQC) in Windsor employer: Salutem Careers
At Salutem Care and Education, we foster a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the well-being and development of our staff. As a Team Leader, you will benefit from comprehensive emotional, medical, and financial support, alongside opportunities for professional growth in a nurturing environment. Our commitment to innovation and excellence has earned us recognition as a Top Employer in the UK, making us an exceptional choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the care sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Quality Assurance & Improvement Manager (Supported Living Quality Lead) – Adults (CQC) in Windsor
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Salutem Careers.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Salutem Careers!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Salutem Careers, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Salutem Careers or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Quality Assurance & Improvement Manager (Supported Living Quality Lead) – Adults (CQC) in Windsor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Salutem Careers:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Salutem Careers! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Salutem Careers
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
