Head of Quality Assurance
Job Summary
Working Pattern:
Full time
Advert Start Date:
26/05/2023
Advert End Date:
Closed for applications on 05/06/2023 23:59
Job Category:
Executive / Managerial
Employment Location:
Based at County Hall and all sites in Childrens around the County
Further Information
This vacancy is being advertising internally in the first instance to employees and agency workers of Northumberland County Council. Where it is not possible to appoint from the existing workforce, the vacancy may subsequently be released to external candidates. Please note that employees working within a school are not considered as internal applicants. If you apply for this position and are not an internal applicant by this description your application will not be processed.
ROLE OF THE JOB
To lead and further develop the range of collaborative quality of practice and performance information activities to understand the impact of our practice in children's social care and SEND and to effectively support continuous improvement.
A key element will be to lead the development of participation, engagement and feedback with and from children, young people and their families across children's services.
The role will also include leadership of the safeguarding partnership work. Taking a lead on regulatory inspections and audits will be a key function working with Heads of Service and
Directors. Overall the role will be central to ensuring that children's services are working effectively and collaboratively and that the services are appropriately prepared for the range of inspections to which they are subject and that we are able to assure ourselves that the work is dynamic as well as meeting the needs of our children and their families and carers.
• A new role and strategic function working across Childrens Services, a key role within the Directorate Management Team
• To develop and implement alongside colleagues in Childrens Services a comprehensive approach to quality assurance that meets all national requirements including inspections. The new role will be an integral part of Children’s Services.
• The postholder will ensure that the QA framework is children focused, uses the voice of our service users and stakeholders to inform change, encourage curiosity, our approach and continuous improvement plans and test the performance of the service against these plans.
• There are three main reporting strands into this role – Childrens Social Care QA: Special Educational Needs and Disabilities QA (new development to be built) and the Performance and Systems Support functions. Each of these areas will have a number of reporting functions and routines.
• This role will work collaboratively with other practitioners and partners as part of an holistic approach to service performance and provide support and challenge as well as qualitative and quantitative evidence whereby the services are meeting statutory and regulatory requirements but most importantly making a positive difference for our children and their families.
• Based at County Hall and all sites in Childrens around the County
REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB
The post holder will require a relevant professional qualification and to be registered with the appropriate professional body; will have strong communication and team work skills.
The Head of QA will be able to work across the services and support and challenge service performance, they will lead the data and performance teams and work corporately within any data leader work to ensure reporting routines meet the needs of the service, members, residents and any regulatory requirements.
This new post will develop SEND quality assurance systems working with teams and supporting and challenging statutory requirements within the SEND Code of Practice.
Our systems and performance reporting will be integrated into day to day working conversations, inform reporting and actions, prepare performance for Board meetings as well as be connected to the NCC performance accountability and data strategy developments.
The voice of children and young people and the participation of user groups will also be with a new engagement function that will champion user views and support services to respond and include co production in their daily practice.
INFORMATION AND BENEFITS
Northumberland is world-renowned as a visitor destination and an ideal location to strike a perfect work/life balance. There is no better way of enjoying the picturesque scenery and stunning coastline than on an everyday basis!
Northumberland County Council’s (NCC) vision is “To make Northumberland a county which you regard as a great place to live, in which you can access the activities you enjoy, whilst having the opportunity to learn and thrive”.
Why choose us?
We have some outstanding benefits to offer you, including:
• 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees)
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexi scheme (if applicable) – up to 2 days flexible leave available per month (pro rata for part-time employees)
• Local government discount schemes available to all employees with offers at local businesses along
with various national brands
• Commitment to work/life balance offering flexibility through various schemes including job sharing, home working, flexible working, term-time only, and compressed hours
• Car leasing scheme
• Staff networks - run by staff, for staff, providing opportunities for peer networking, mutual support, staff development e.g. Apprenticeship, Armed Forces, ASD, Enable (disability), LGBT+, Menopause, Mental Wellbeing, Racial Equality
Further information
Please note that this is a full time position but applications on a secondment or part-time basis would be considered for the right applicant. For guidance on completing your application and for information about our Equality and Diversity principles, please see the attached guidance notes here.
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you wish to notify us of your eligibility for this scheme, please email hrrecruitment@northumberland.gov.uk or ring 01670 623930 with your name and the job title you have applied for and one of the recruitment team will ensure this is factored into the shortlisting process and kept anonymous. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, please see the alternative methods below. This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.
Alternative application format:
British Sign Language: northumberlandcc-cs.signvideo.net
For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss: Text relay service dial 018001 01670 623930
Although we advertise on North East Jobs, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications
Please note
This job is closed for applications.