Quality Improvement Manager

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 ResponsibilitiesRegulatory Compliance & Inspection ReadinessLead on quality assurance aligned to CQC KLOEs and Ofsted Inspection FrameworksEnsure services are inspection-ready at all times, not just pre-visitConduct regular mock inspections, audits, and deep divesSupport services through inspections, monitoring visits, and follow-upsOversee responses to action plans, compliance notices, and enforcement risksMaintain strong relationships with regulators and commissionersQuality Improvement & GovernanceDesign and implement a national quality framework across all servicesAnalyse audit findings, incidents, complaints, and safeguarding data to identify trendsTranslate data into practical, service-level improvement plansTrack improvement actions and hold services to account for deliveryEnsure learning from incidents is embedded and evidencedContribute to governance meetings, quality boards, and provider oversightService Support & ChallengeProvide constructive challenge to Registered Managers and service leadsSupport underperforming services through targeted improvement interventionsBalance support with accountability — this role is not “nice but ineffective”Identify early warning signs of service drift or riskSupport new service openings, transitions, and stabilisationWorkforce Quality & Practice StandardsPromote consistent, values-led practice across all servicesSupport the development and implementation of:Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)Trauma-informed careRestrictive practice reductionContribute to training needs analysis linked to quality gapsChampion reflective practice and learning culturesResidential & Supported Living OversightUnderstand and respond to the distinct regulatory and operational risks of:Children’s residential servicesAdult residential servicesSupported living and community-based provisionEnsure services remain person-centred while meeting regulatory thresholdsMonitor placement stability, outcomes, and service sustainabilityInternational Development (Growth Opportunity)Support the organisation’s international service development or partnershipsContribute to adapting UK quality frameworks for international contextsSupport due diligence, quality design, and governance in new territoriesAct as a quality ambassador for the organisation overseasKey Outcomes the Role Is Accountable ForImproved inspection outcomes and reduced regulatory riskFewer reactive interventions; more planned, sustained improvementClear, auditable evidence of quality and learningStronger, more confident Registered ManagersConsistency of practice across geographically dispersed servicesPerson SpecificationEssentialSignificant experience in a quality, compliance, or governance role within:CQC and/or Ofsted regulated servicesStrong working knowledge of:CQC KLOEsOfsted inspection frameworksExperience across residential and/or supported living servicesProven track record of leading service improvementConfident challenging poor practice at all levelsStrong written and verbal reporting skillsWillingness and ability to travel nationallyDesirableExperience supporting services through inadequate or requires improvement ratingsBackground in:Children’s servicesLearning disability and/or autismMental health servicesExperience contributing to international projects or service developmentAudit, governance, or quality qualifications

Created: 2026-02-07