Head of Quality & Development

Job description

JOB TITLE: Head of Quality & Development

CONTRACT TYPE: Full Time / Permanent

PERSON REPORTS TO: Management Team

PERSON SUPERVISES: Team Members / Independent Assessors

PURPOSE OF JOB:

- To play a key role in the management of quality assurance across the organisation’s
companies: [Employer hidden] and Oakley House Care Services and any other (Fostering /
Residential / Semi-indepdence)

- To ensure the highest quality service is provided to all children and young people, foster
carers, and staff

- To ensure the organisation’s compliance to the relevant legislative frameworks, by working
closely with the management and administrative team, to continually develop and improve
the quality and efficiency of the overall organisation

- To provide staff with guidance and advice on the relevant legislative frameworks

- To ensure staff are empowered and developed through the organisations

- To work closely with the management team, to ensure all decisions and actions taken are in
the best interest of the children in our foster care placements and children’s homes, to
contribute to their best outcomes

JOB CONTEXT:

Our Company strives to provide service’s which are user friendly and sensitive to the individual needs
of our placements, Local authorities and all sections of the community. It is the responsibility of all
employees to work to achieve this within our ethos of service, quality, equality and partnership.
(Partnership means demonstrating a commitment to close co-operation with colleagues and joint
work in partnership with our service users).

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Drive compliance and improve service delivery, by effectively monitoring the services
offered by the organisation, and undertaking regular audits to ensure both quality and
compliance standards are met and upheld.

• Ensure that high standards of care are delivered and maintained across all organisations

• Ensure the policies and procedures across all organisations are regularly reviewed and
updated in line with research and findings from SCR’s and changes in Legislation, Regulations
and Guidance

• To support the management team to register any new provisions in line with the relevant
legislative framework

• Ensure all staff are aware of their responsibilities, and work within the policies and
procedures of the organisation, and those set out in the legislative framework

• To prepare and hold group and individual workshops for staff development

• Safeguard and protect the health and wellbeing of children and young people, ensure good
outcomes, and make sure their journey and progress are evidenced in paperwork

[Employer hidden] Ltd.
Incorporated in Cardiff. Registered No. No. 08113491.

• To work with the management team to manage complaints, standards of care investigations,
and allegations regarding staff and foster carers. Where the actions are followed up on and
learning shared with the team.

• Ensure all reports and documents completed by staff, social workers, independent
contractors, etc. are completed to a high standard.

• Ensure that Annual Foster Carer’s Review Reports, including reviews following
complaints/concerns/allegations/investigations, etc., are quality assured and ready to be
presented to the ADM and / or Panel.

• Oversee the recruitment and assessment of foster carers and provide regular feedback on
progress to the management team

• Quality assure each assessment report for content, grammar, as well as statutory checks,
references, interviews, and all other supporting documentation

• Manage and provide supervision to social work assessors, both independent and SW staff,
to ensure assessments are completed within their deadlines

• Make ethical and timely decisions regarding each assessment

• Attend and contribute to meetings regarding families in assessment, and provide post panel
feedback / handover, where relevant

• Track outcomes from Panel Meetings and Carer Reviews, to ensure recommendations are
followed through and evidenced

• Participate in the recruitment, selection, and induction of suitably qualified assessors

• Maintain accurate and up to date records on relevant electronic systems

• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, and in partnership with families, local authorities
and external agencies, as required

• Build positive working relationships with prospective and approved foster carers

• Promote equality and diversity and ensure anti discriminatory practice.

• Participate in an annual appraisal.

• A willingness to undertake and facilitate identified training, and provide staff with feedback
to support their professional development

• To ensure high quality training is provided to staff, YP and foster carers.

GENERAL STATEMENT:

The post holder may be reasonably expected to undertake other duties commensurate with the level
of responsibility that may be allocated from time to time.

If the need arises, the postholder will undertake tasks not specifically covered in the job description,
and any other duties as may be reasonably requested by the manager.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES:

The Organisation supports Equal Opportunities in Employment and opposes all forms of unlawful
discrimination on grounds such as colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sex, marital
status, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief and age.

You are expected to comply at all times to the Companies Equal Opportunities Policy.

The above job description forms part of your Main Terms and Conditions of Employment. The
Company reserves the right to vary duties and responsibilities at any time.

Signed…………………………………………… Date………………………………………

Person specification

JOB TITLE: Head of Quality & Development

PERSON REPORTS TO: Management Team

PERSON SUPERVISES: Team Members / Independent Assessors

ESSENTIAL/ METHOD OF ASSESSMENT

QUALIFICATIONS: DESIRABLE

Qualified Social Worker, with at least 3 years’ experience in a Application form and

E

Children’s Home and / or Fostering Environment interview

NVQ Level 4 Management, or equivalent (or working towards

D Application form

completing qualification)

Quality Assurance Management experience, preferably within Interview and application

D

a fostering and / or a residential setting form

Previous management experience at a senior level, and / or Interview and application

E

experience managing staff / a team on a regular basis form

Interview and application

Educated to GCSE level (or equivalent). E

form

Application form, interview

Undertaken training related to the care environment E

and practical assessment

EXPERIENCE:

A good understanding of the needs and behaviours of children Application form and

E

and young people in residential care and foster care interview

Experience of working in partnership with other agencies and Application form

E

stakeholders, including Local Authorities. and

Experience implementing effective quality assurance and Application form and

D interview

service improvement frameworks

Application form and

Previous experience of completing assessments E interview

SKILLS:

Able to organise tasks independently, and prioritise and Application form and

E

manage shifting responsibilities interview

Outstanding time management and organisational skills, with Application form and

E

a keen eye for detail interview

Interview, application

Highly literate, and good written and verbal communication

E form, and practical

skills. assessment

Ability to maintain written records, and write comprehensive Application form, interview

E

and evidence based reports and assessments and practical assessment

Application form and

Ability to form strong, professional relationships E interview

Ability to work well in stressful conditions E Interview

Application form and

Strong leadership and motivational skills E interview

An ability to work within the Agency’s policies and procedures, Interview

E

and in line with statutory requirements

Proficient at using online database systems, such as CHARMS E Interview

Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc. E Interview

KNOWLEDGE:

The role requires the candidate to have a sound knowledge of

fostering legislation, and knowledge of residential legislation E

would be desirable, i.e.: Quality Standards, Children Act 1989 Application form and

/ 2004; Protection of Children Act 1999; Children Leaving Care interview

Act 2000; Children’s Homes Regulations 2015; Fostering

Regulations 2011; National Minimum Standards.

Knowledge and understanding of the varying needs of the Application form, interview

E

different parts of the organisation and practical assessment

Full understanding of the principles and practical application

E Interview

of safeguarding and child protection.

ATTITUDES & VALUES:

To demonstrate a commitment and respect towards E Interview

supporting vulnerable children and their families

To have a determination to appropriately challenge E Interview

discrimination in any form.

To value honesty, integrity, have a non-judgmental approach E Interview

and be committed to equal opportunities.

Actively support and implement the principles and practice of E Interview

equality as laid out in the Agency’s Equal Opportunities policy.

Enthusiastic E Interview

Empathetic E Interview

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

To have a flexible approach to working hours, to ensure the

needs of children and young people, the organisation,

E Interview

families, residents, and staff are properly met, and be able to

provide input in emergency situations if required

Full Driving Licence D Interview

You can expect:-

• Manageable workloads and quality supervision

• Opportunities to practice creatively

• Support & Supervision to enable you to develop as a practitioner

• The opportunity to be part of a cohesive and vibrant team

[Employer hidden]’s Values are:

Openness: We aspire to be open and honest to develop trusting relationships.

Fairness: We aspire to provide fair choice, opportunities and experiences and become an
organisation built on mutual respect.

Flexibility: We aspire to be flexible in our thinking and action to become an effective and
efficient organisation

Teamwork: We aspire to work together to share our successes and failures by building on
our strengths and supporting one another to achieve our goals.

In addition:

All employees are responsible for ensuring that they act at all times in a way that is consistent with
[Employer hidden]’s Equal Opportunities Policy in their own area of responsibility and in their
general conduct.

The Agency operates a Smoke Free Workplace Policy which all employees are required to adhere to.

The above job description forms part of the Main Terms and Conditions of your Employment. The
Company reserves the right to vary duties and responsibilities at any time.

Signed…………………………………………… Date………………………………………