Quality Assurance Lead

Location:
Clacton On Sea - Covering Three Ballagh Care homes (travel between sites required)

Hours:
24 hours per week / 3 days per week – flexible working hours available

Salary:
£21,420 per annum / £17.17 per hour

Company Description:

Ballagh Care Ltd is a family-run care provider committed to delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality care across our three homes. We place residents at the heart of everything we do and pride ourselves on creating supportive environments for both those we care for and those we employ.

Our mission is to deliver person-centred care that promotes dignity, independence, and wellbeing for every individual. We continually strive to maintain the highest possible standards and compliance across our services.

Role Overview:

The Quality Assurance Lead will play a pivotal role in ensuring that all three Ballagh Care Ltd homes consistently meet and exceed the standards required by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), local authorities, and internal company policies.

You will be responsible for leading the quality agenda across the homes—ensuring effective monitoring, auditing, analysis, and improvement of care quality, safety, and compliance. Working closely with Home Managers, you will provide advice, coaching, and practical support to ensure that each home delivers exceptional, person-centred care.

This is both a strategic and hands-on role, requiring an analytical mindset, excellent communication skills, and a strong understanding of care governance. You will act as a key point of contact for the Regional Manager and play an essential part in preparing homes for inspection and maintaining ongoing compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

Quality Auditing and Monitoring

·Design, implement, and maintain a structured programme of internal audits covering all key operational areas: care planning, medication management, infection prevention and control, health and safety, documentation, staff training, and service user outcomes.

·Conduct detailed and objective audits at regular intervals across all three homes, ensuring findings are supported by evidence and aligned with CQC key lines of enquiry (KLOEs).

·Produce clear, comprehensive reports summarising findings, areas of non-compliance, and examples of good practice.

·Present audit outcomes to the Regional Manager and Home Managers, ensuring transparency and accountability.

·Develop and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and quality metrics to track ongoing service performance and improvements.

Action Planning and Improvement

·Work collaboratively with Home Managers to create realistic and measurable action plans following audits or inspections.

·Support and guide managers in implementing corrective actions and embedding continuous improvement.

· Follow up on outstanding actions, verifying that changes have been effectively implemented and sustained.

· Promote a culture of openness and learning by encouraging staff to take ownership of quality and compliance.

Compliance and Regulatory Readiness

·Ensure all homes are fully compliant with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations and CQC Fundamental Standards.

·Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current legislation, guidance, and best practice in adult social care, sharing updates and advice with management teams.

·Support services to maintain inspection readiness at all times by carrying out mock inspections and providing coaching to staff and managers.

· Assist with the development and review of company policies, ensuring they remain current, effective, and compliant.

Resident and Staff Engagement

·Plan, coordinate, and carry out biannual resident and staff surveys to gather feedback on care quality, environment, and staff experience.

·Analyse survey data, identify trends and areas for development, and present reports to the Regional Manager with clear recommendations and improvement actions.

· Support Home Managers in sharing survey results with teams and residents, encouraging positive change and engagement.

·Ensuring feedback is used constructively to improve the quality of care and overall satisfaction within each home.

Training, Mentoring, and Support

·Identify training needs arising from audits or incidents and work with the management team to coordinate additional learning or refresher sessions.

·Provide direct mentoring to Home Managers and staff where quality issues are identified.

·Promote a learning culture that encourages continuous improvement and professional development.

Reporting and Communication

·Provide regular written and verbal updates to the Regional Manager on quality performance, risks, and progress of improvement plans.

·Maintain accurate records of audits, surveys, reports, and action plans in line with company procedures and data protection requirements.

· Attend management meetings as required, contributing to strategic planning and operational discussions.

Safeguarding and Governance

· Act as a safeguarding champion, ensuring that concerns are reported and managed appropriately in line with company and local authority policies.

·Support investigations into incidents or complaints where quality or compliance issues are involved.

· Promote a culture of openness, safety, and accountability across all homes.

The above is not an exhaustive list and in addition to the above duties, you may be required to perform other duties as the needs of our business change. We reserve the right to amend the above duties as deemed necessary for the needs of the business.

The duties described in this job description must be carried out in a manner which promotes equality of opportunity; dignity and due respect for all employees and residents is consistent with the Company's Equal Opportunities Policy.

Person Specification:

Essential:

·      Strong understanding of CQC regulations and adult social care governance.

·      Experience in a senior care role (e.g., Deputy Manager, Registered Manager, or Quality Lead).

·      Proven ability to carry out detailed audits, produce reports, and implement action plans.

·      Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and support colleagues at all levels.

·      Organised, self-motivated, and able to manage a varied workload across multiple locations.

·      Commitment to person-centred care, safeguarding, and professional integrity.

·      Full driving licence and ability to travel between Ballagh Care Ltd homes.

Desirable:

·      Level 4/5 Diploma in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification.

·      Previous experience overseeing multiple homes or services.

·      Knowledge of dementia care, end-of-life care, and current best practice in adult social care.

What We Offer:

·      Salary: £21,420 per annum / £17.17 per hour

·      Flexible working: 24 hours per week across 3 days (flexible schedule)

·      Opportunity to influence and enhance care quality across three homes

·      Supportive, family-run company culture

·      Regular supervision and ongoing professional development

·      A meaningful role contributing directly to improved resident outcomes