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.
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; 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