Job Title: Head of Care, Quality and Governance (Adults and Children)
Location: Essex and Ipswich (Hybrid)
Reports to: Managing Director
Salary: £70,000-75,000 per annum (depending on experience) with bonus scheme
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (flexibility required)
Applications for this post will close on 1st August 2025
https://www.harleyhousecare.co.uk/
Job Purpose
This role provides strategic leadership and operational oversight across care quality, compliance, and governance functions within a specialist supported living organisation for individuals with complex needs. The post holder will ensure the delivery of safe, effective, person-centred support, maintain regulatory compliance, and embed a culture of continuous improvement across all services. This role will also be key in developing our future Children’s Services.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Care and Support Quality
* Provide strategic oversight of care and support delivery to ensure best practice and adherence to individualised, person-centred approaches.
* Monitor and improve outcomes for people with physical, learning, and behavioural needs through evidence-based practices.
* Ensure care and support reflect best practice and positive outcomes for the people we support.
* Lead behavioural risk oversight, working closely with the wider community Multi-Disciplinary team and specialists.
Quality Assurance and Governance
* Lead on ViClarity, our internal Quality and Compliance system, ensuring services maintain robust quality assurance frameworks and audit processes.
* Chair and coordinate bi-monthly Quality and Governance meetings, analysing trends, themes, and risks.
* Drive continuous improvement through analysis of incidents, complaints, audits, and regulatory feedback.
* Ensure the coordination of bi-annual external mock inspections.
* Ensure services are maintaining and delivering on their Continuous Improvement Plans (CIP).
Policies, Procedures, and Compliance
* Oversee the development, review, and implementation of policies and procedures in line with current legislation, CQC regulations, and sector best practice.
* Ensure organisational practices are fully compliant with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities Regulations 2014).
Learning and Development
* Lead the strategic direction of the organisation's learning and development programme.
* Ensure staff at all levels receive appropriate, timely, and role-specific training, including mandatory, specialist, and values-based learning.
* Monitor training compliance, quality, and impact across the organisation.
* Promote a culture of reflective practice, staff development, and continuous professional growth.
Regulatory Leadership
* Act as the Nominated Individual for the organisation with CQC.
* Lead all matters relating to CQC compliance and inspections.
* Support services to prepare for inspections, coordinate external mock inspections, and follow up with action planning and monitoring.
* Ensure services raise relevant regulatory notifications.
Safeguarding and Incident Oversight
* Serve as the organisation’s Safeguarding Lead, ensuring robust reporting and investigation processes.
* Oversee responses to serious incidents and untoward events, including timely notifications, root cause analysis, and learning implementation.
Complaints and Feedback
* Lead the complaints process, including investigation, resolution, and organisational learning.
* Analyse trends to inform service improvements and strategic planning.
* Lead annual surveys and ensure feedback is acted upon.
Organisational Culture and Leadership
* Promote a culture of dignity, respect, inclusion, and accountability.
* Provide leadership, coaching, and support to managers.
* Provide a monthly risk report to the Managing Director.
* Represent the organisation at external forums and maintain stakeholder relationships.
* Lead on the development of new services in partnership with the Project and Relationship Lead.
Other Duties
* Promote high standards of care and support delivery.
* Ensure GDPR compliance.
* Develop key relationships with regulators, authorities, and stakeholders.
* Create an open culture for raising concerns and learning from incidents.
* Perform additional tasks as required within your competence.
* Act as an ambassador for Harley House supported living.
* Maintain professionalism and integrity, including social media conduct.
* Always act in the best interest of individuals who may lack capacity.
* Prioritise safeguarding.
* Report safeguarding concerns or incidents promptly.
* Attend mandatory training and annual appraisals.
* Ensure health, safety, and welfare of all.
* Foster effective team communication.
This job description may be reviewed and amended in consultation with the post holder. It is not exhaustive, and additional duties may be assigned as necessary.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications:
* Degree in health, social care, or related field or equivalent experience.
* RNLD, RMN, or Social Worker qualification.
* Level 5+ Health and Social Care Qualification.
* Safeguarding Level 3, PBS Level 3, Postgraduate in Quality or Governance.
Experience:
* Senior leadership in health or social care, including Children’s services.
* Experience with CQC inspections and regulatory frameworks.
* Oversight of complex behavioural and physical care, safeguarding, and investigations.
* Working with individuals with complex needs.
* Managing referrals, assessments, and supported living services.
* Experience as a Nominated Individual and Safeguarding Lead.
Knowledge:
* Care Act, MCA, DoLS, regulations, and CQC standards.
* Quality improvement, data interpretation, and reporting.
* Strong communication, leadership, and mentoring skills.
* Trauma-informed approaches, PBS, person-centred planning.
* Knowledge of physical disabilities and funding pathways.
Skills and Attributes:
* Interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills.
* Time management, organisational skills, and report writing.
* Ability to work independently and in teams.
* Person-centred, resilient, ethical, and professional.
Other:
* Ability to travel and respond to referrals/emergencies.
* Commitment to inclusion, dignity, safeguarding.
* Resilient, flexible, solution-focused, with a full UK driving license.
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