The Quality Improvement Manager is accountable for driving, embedding, and evidencing quality across all services, ensuring compliance with CQC and Ofsted standards, and translating regulation into real-world practice that improves outcomes for people and protects the organisation.
Skills, Experience, Qualifications, If you have the right match for this opportunity, then make sure to apply today.
This is not a desk role. It is a hands-on, delivery-focused position responsible for identifying risk early, fixing problems properly, and building sustainable quality systems across residential services and supported living.
Key Responsibilities
Regulatory Compliance & Inspection Readiness
* Lead on quality assurance aligned to CQC KLOEs and Ofsted Inspection Frameworks
* Ensure services are inspection-ready at all times, not just pre-visit
* Conduct regular mock inspections, audits, and deep dives
* Support services through inspections, monitoring visits, and follow-ups
* Oversee responses to action plans, compliance notices, and enforcement risks
* Maintain strong relationships with regulators and commissioners
Quality Improvement & Governance
* Design and implement a national quality framework across all services
* Analyse audit findings, incidents, complaints, and safeguarding data to identify trends
* Translate data into practical, service-level improvement plans
* Track improvement actions and hold services to account for delivery
* Ensure learning from incidents is embedded and evidenced
* Contribute to governance meetings, quality boards, and provider oversight
Service Support & Challenge
* Provide constructive challenge to Registered Managers and service leads
* Support underperforming services through targeted improvement interventions
* Balance support with accountability — this role is not "nice but ineffective"
* Identify early warning signs of service drift or risk
* Support new service openings, transitions, and stabilisation
Workforce Quality & Practice Standards
* Promote consistent, values-led practice across all services
* Support the development and implementation of:
* Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
* Trauma-informed care
* Restrictive practice reduction
* Contribute to training needs analysis linked to quality gaps
* Champion reflective practice and learning cultures
Residential & Supported Living Oversight
* Understand and respond to the distinct regulatory and operational risks of:
* Children's residential services
* Adult residential services
* Supported living and community-based provision
* Ensure services remain person-centred while meeting regulatory thresholds
* Monitor placement stability, outcomes, and service sustainability
International Development (Growth Opportunity)
* Support the organisation's international service development or partnerships
* Contribute to adapting UK quality frameworks for international contexts
* Support due diligence, quality design, and governance in new territories
* Act as a quality ambassador for the organisation overseas
Key Outcomes the Role Is Accountable For
* Improved inspection outcomes and reduced regulatory risk
* Fewer reactive interventions; xxuwjjq more planned, sustained improvement
* Clear, auditable evidence of quality and learning
* Stronger, more confident Registered Managers
* Consistency of practice across geographically dispersed services
Person Specification
Essential
* Significant experience in a quality, compliance, or governance role within:
* CQC and/or Ofsted regulated services
* Strong working knowledge of:
* CQC KLOEs
* Ofsted inspection frameworks
* Experience across residential and/or supported living services
* Proven track record of leading service improvement
* Confident challenging poor practice at all levels
* Strong written and verbal reporting skills
* Willingness and ability to travel nationally
Desirable
* Experience supporting services through inadequate or requires improvement ratings
* Background in:
* Children's services
* Learning disability and/or autism
* Mental health services
* Experience contributing to international projects or service development
* Audit, governance, or quality qualifications