CQC Improvement & Assurance Lead (Project) - #2189130

we are working with a local authority to recruit an experienced CQC Improvement & Assurance Lead to provide strategic leadership for Adult Social Care quality assurance, service improvement and regulatory readiness. The postholder will lead the Council's response to the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) Local Authority Assurance Framework, ensuring evidence of good practice, statutory compliance and continuous improvement is embedded across Adult Social Care.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation and maintenance of the Adult Social Care CQC Assurance Framework.
• Coordinate the Council's CQC self-assessment process and ensure evidence is maintained and regularly updated.
• Lead organisational preparedness for CQC assessments, inspections and information requests.
• Ensure Directorate-wide understanding of CQC assessment criteria and expectations.
• Support senior leaders in preparing for CQC assurance activities, interviews and stakeholder engagement.
• Responsible for escalating, promptly, risks and issues or gaps that may adversely impact organisational readiness and achievement of agreed objectives#
• Develop and implement a comprehensive quality assurance framework for Adult Social Care, that aims to achieve ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating.
• Lead thematic audits, service reviews and quality improvement projects across operational services.
• Lead the development of performance and assurance reports for senior leadership teams, corporate governance boards and elected members.

Practice Improvement

• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and evidence-based practice across Adult Social Care.
• Work with operational managers to drive practice improvement and strengthen professional standards.
• Support the development of policies, procedures and guidance that reflect statutory responsibilities and best practice.
• Facilitate learning events, workshops and improvement forums.
• Support and lead the culture change programme to improve the standards of practice and embed Council’s Best Value principles

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent professional qualification.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Relevant professional qualification in Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Public Health, Quality Improvement, Service Improvement or equivalent relevant discipline.

Essential Knowledge

• Extensive knowledge of Adult Social Care legislation, including the Care Act 2014, MH Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards changes and other relevant Legislations.
• Detailed understanding and its application to practice of the CQC Local Authority Assurance Framework.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, Mental Capacity Act, Human Rights Act and associated statutory guidance.
• Understanding of quality assurance methodologies and continuous improvement frameworks.
• Knowledge of performance management and governance arrangements within local government.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience within Adult Social Care, Health or a related regulatory environment.
• Demonstrable experience leading quality assurance, inspection readiness or improvement programmes.
• Experience of developing and implementing improvement plans.
• Experience of analysing complex performance and quality information.
• Experience of working with senior leaders, elected members and external stakeholders.
• Experience of writing high-quality reports, briefings and assurance documents.
• Experience of managing complex projects and delivering organisational change.