Description
Job Description & Person Specification >
Are you a motivated leader passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people? We’re looking for a Quality Assurance Team Manager to drive high quality practice, strengthen performance, and embed a culture of learning across Children’s Services.
About the Role
You will lead a wide-ranging Quality Assurance portfolio working with senior leaders, frontline teams, and partners, you’ll ensure robust QA frameworks, excellent practice, and effective support for children and families.
The role provides strategic oversight of:
* SENDIASS.
* Designated Social Care Officer.
* Alternative Provision Impact and Outcomes.
* Safeguarding in Education Assurance.
* SEND QA activity.
Key Responsibilities:
* Quality Assurance & Performance.
* Lead QA frameworks for SEND, Safeguarding in Education, and Alternative Provision
* Oversee performance systems and ensure high quality data.
* Coordinate audits (including multi agency) and statutory reporting.
* Lead policy development aligned to local and national requirements.
* Leadership.
* Manage a multidisciplinary team including DSCO, SEND QA Auditor, AP Impact Lead, Education Safeguarding Advisor, and SENDIASS team.
* Provide professional leadership, challenge, and oversight.
* Practice Development & Strategic Influence.
* Deliver training and learning based on QA findings.
* Lead or support complex projects and service development.
* Build strong relationships across the council, partners, Ofsted, TSCP, health, and education SEND, Safeguarding & Alternative Provision.
* Embed safeguarding principles in education and SEND.
* Ensure statutory compliance and high quality SENDIASS support.
* Monitor alternative provision and promote inclusive pathways.
About You
You will bring:
* Significant experience in QA, performance, or programme management.
* Strong knowledge of children’s services policy and legislation.
* Expertise in SEND, safeguarding, inspection frameworks, KCSIE, Working Together, and LADO processes.
* Proven leadership and staff development skills.
* Excellent communication, analytical ability, and IT proficiency.
* Ability to work confidently in political and multi agency environments.
This position is for a fixed term of 12 months from the start date.
This post will be carrying out Regulated Activity. As such the post will require an Enhanced Criminal Record Check plus an additional Barred List Check. The check will reveal any spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions (which have not been filtered), any local Police information and a check of either the Adult, Child or Adult and Child Barred Lists.
If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the full job description by placing the below URL into your browser:
https://www.torbay.gov.uk/jobs/job-descriptions/quality-assurance-team-manager/
For an informal chat please contact Louisa Jones on 01803 208100 or louisa.jones@torbay.gov.uk.
Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 23rd March 2026.
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there's a published deadline - so if you're keen, please apply as soon as possible.
Skills
Essential:
* How to cultivate and improve relationships across the sector to achieve organisational objectives.
* Ability to motivate, manage and develop staff.
* Have a clear ability to analyse data understand trends and inform practice.
* Ability to interpret and understand financial information.
* Highly developed oral, presentation and written skills and ability to deliver to a wide range of audiences.
This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
Knowledge
Essential:
* Significant knowledge of current policy and practice relating to Children's Services local government and partnership working.
* Considerable knowledge of relevant legislation and processes relating to children’s social care/ SEND.
* Understanding of the SENDIASS function and relevant legislation.
* Considerable knowledge of the role and responsibilities of the social workers/ those working within Special educational needs.
* Business continuity management.
Experience & Qualifications
Essential:
* Educated to degree level standard or equivalent in a relevant subject such as Social Care, Health, Education, Children and Youth Work, Probation or Criminal Justice or significant demonstrable experience.
* Evidence of continued professional development.
* Experience of successful working in a performance management or programme management environment.
* Successful management of staff, projects and resources in a large organisation.
* Working to or exceeding organisational standards in health and safety, equalities, governance and personnel.
Please review the available pages within the careers site .
A list of employer benefits can be found here .