Head of Compliance & Quality Assurance - Jobs & Careers magazine

Head of Compliance & Quality Assurance

RESPONSIBLE TO: Operations Director/Registered manager

KEY INTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS: Specialist Services Director, Head of Services, Operations Manager, Quality Assurance Managers, CEO, founder and shareholder and nominated individual.

PURPOSE OF POST:

To lead and embed a culture of compliance, quality and continuous improvement across SweetTree Home Care Services. The Head of Compliance & Quality Assurance is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing all quality assurance, governance and regulatory compliance functions across the organisation. The post holder will ensure that services consistently meet and exceed CQC standards, relevant legislation and internal policy requirements, while supporting the operational and care management teams to deliver safe, person-centred and high-quality support to all Clients.

The role provides strategic oversight of the Compliance and QA team, including direct line management of the QA Manager, Care & QA Lead, and Compliance Officer, and works closely with the Operations Director and Registered Manager to ensure inspection readiness and governance excellence at all times.

The Head of Compliance & Quality Assurance will also be fundamental to SweetTree’s continued growth and ambition. As a technology-enabled provider specialising in bespoke complex care and age-related frailty, SweetTree is committed to remaining at the cutting edge of care provision – including the potential expansion into multi-site care. This role will be central to ensuring our governance and quality frameworks scale with that ambition, embedding compliance practice that underpins innovation and cements SweetTree’s position as a leader in specialist home care.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES MAY INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:

✨ Lead, manage and develop the Compliance and QA team, ensuring clear accountability and high performance.

✨ Act as the organisation’s lead for CQC governance, maintaining inspection readiness at all times and ensuring services evidence compliance with relevant legislation including the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, and GDPR.

✨ Implement and continuously improve the organisation’s compliance and QA frameworks, audit tools and governance structures, including oversight of the Compliance systems.

✨ Oversee the full audit programme, including DSR, EMAR, file audits, care plan reviews, spot checks and client reviews, ensuring outcomes are acted upon and drive improvement.

✨ Responsible for mock CQC inspections and evidence-gathering exercises to ensure the organisation is consistently inspection ready.

✨ Support and maintain SweetTree’s ambition to be Outstanding across all aspects of compliance and quality assurance, both in relation to CQC and in everything we do as an organisation.

✨ Ensure all policies and procedures accurately reflect current legislation and CQC requirements, and are reviewed and implemented in a timely manner.

✨ Support the Registered Manager and Specialist Services Director in relation to safeguarding and MCA, ensuring the operational team responds appropriately in line with the Care Act 2014 and local authority procedures

✨ Maintain oversight of the CCI database, (Complaints, Concerns, Incidents) ensuring timely resolution of open cases and presenting compliance reports to senior leadership/Directors

✨ Lead and oversee complex internal investigations, ensuring due process, accurate recording and appropriate outcomes.

✨ Collaborate with the Training department to ensure staff training is aligned with service needs, regulatory requirements and identified quality gaps.

✨ Oversee the new starter compliance process, including Care Certificate completion, probation reviews and competency observations.

✨ Work closely with the Head of Services and Managers to embed compliance within day-to-day service delivery and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

✨ Work closely with HR to support any compliance-related matters concerning Support Workers, including non-compliance patterns, investigations and ensuring accurate records are maintained.

✨ Present compliance and QA reports to the regular compliance meetings and senior leadership, tracking KPIs and open actions.

✨ Support with statutory notifications, regulatory submissions and organisational strategy.

✨ Undertake any other duties reasonably requested by the Operations Director or Registered Manager in line with the scope of the role.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Experience, Skills or Attitudes:

✅ Experience in a compliance, quality assurance or governance role within adult social care or a regulated care setting.

✅ Strong working knowledge of CQC inspection frameworks and relevant legislation

✅ Experience leading audits, investigations, complaints management and continuous improvement activity.

✅ Relevant professional qualification in Quality Assurance or equivalent

✅ Proven ability to lead and develop a team, with excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.

✅ Proactive, resilient and committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care.

Desirable

✅ Experience in domiciliary/Residential care setting

✅ Experience preparing for or supporting a CQC inspection.

✅ Knowledge of local authority commissioning frameworks and quality monitoring processes.

✅ Experience with digital compliance systems

WORKING CONDITIONS: Working hours will be 37.5 weekly. Terms and conditions of employment are as per your employment contract and staff handbook

What’s in It for You?

✨ 25 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays
✨ A ‘Me Day’ – an extra day off + £20 to treat yourself
✨ Ongoing support and development, with accredited training
✨ Health & Wellbeing Programme
✨ Discounted shopping & services platforms
✨Cycle to work scheme
✨Health insurance
✨ Free eye care vouchers
✨ Free DBS check
✨ Company Pension Scheme
✨ Longevity Service Awards
✨ Fun social events (Christmas & Summer parties!)

About Us: We are a reputable domiciliary care company that has been successfully operating for two decades, recognised for our commitment to excellence in care and our unwavering dedication to our clients. We take pride in being rated as an ‘Outstanding’ provider by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), a testament to our exceptional standards and quality of service. Our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional support and community-based services for individuals with acquired brain injuries and long-term neurological conditions speaks to our ethos.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Join us now to be a part of our success story. Your dedication and compassion can transform lives. Apply today and become a valued member of our winning team at SweetTree Home Care Services. Your journey of impact begins here!