Job Description

Post:Quality Assurance Auditor

Grade:35 – 37£27,943 - £29,490

Report to:Head of Quality

Description of Role

Sense provides a range of operational care and support services, working with people with complex communication needs often in regulated environments. Sense is committed to providing high quality, person centred services to ensure that our regulatory requirements are met and that risk is effectively managed based on our key values and I-Statements. The Quality Assurance Auditor has a critical role to provide assurance that Sense services are high quality, person centred and safe.

The Quality Assurance Auditor will implement the Sense Quality Framework by undertaking comprehensive audits of the quality of services assessed against a range of indicators and outcomes. The Quality Assurance Auditor is responsible for reporting the findings, outcomes and recommendations for action to the relevant Operational Manager; Head of Operations and through the Quality Board.

Specific Responsibilities

  1. To assist the Head of Quality to establish systems to audit and review the quality of services using a range of indicators and tools
  1. To undertake regular quality audits across all Sense services through an annual schedule. The annual schedule will be prioritised and agreed with the Head of Operations and endorsed by the Quality Board. This will include I-Statement audits and thematic audits based on specific areas of practice.
  1. Review the application of the range of tools and processes for quality assurance, including the development of thematic audit tools based on specific areas of practice. Audit tools will be developed in consultation with people using Sense services and operational colleagues.
  1. Work as part of the integrated Quality Team to contribute to the overall programme of quality improvement across the organisation and to support the development of a single view of quality. This will include the use of systems and processes such as Microsoft Dynamics.
  1. Report on the outcomes; findings and recommendations of audits to the relevant Operational Manager; Head of Locality and/or Director of Operations where required. This will include the immediate reporting of concerns, risks and urgent actions where required.
  1. The auditor will also report findings through the Quality Board and make recommendations for action and improvement, based on a range of information including practice development, policy and compliance. The auditor will produce appropriate reports and will maintain records from audits.
  1. To contribute to developing systems of engagement, involvement and co-production with people using Sense services within the quality assurance process.
  1. To research best practice and contribute to networks across the social care sector and make recommendations to ensure quality assurance within Sense is current and effective.
  1. To undertake service reviews and investigations in relation to quality concerns or issues as required. The auditor will produce appropriate reports and records arising from service reviews and investigations and will report to the appropriate operational manager.
  1. To develop effective working relationships both internal and external to Sense in order to undertake quality audits, service reviews and investigations.
  1. To support the regular meetings of the Quality Board to ensure meetings run smoothly and effectively, including the collation and distribution of reports and documentation for consideration at the board.
  1. To provide advice, support and coaching for registered managers and service managers based on best practice; policy and procedure; and person centred approaches to support quality improvement.

General Responsibilities

  1. To comply with Sense policies and procedures
  1. To develop an understanding of all roles across the Quality Team in order to ensure the smooth running of the team and its functions.
  1. To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and nature of the post.
  1. The role involves regular national travel and overnight stays.

Person Specification

Quality Assurance Auditor

Education & Training
Essential Criteria / Desirable Criteria
Knowledge of health and social care services, including the legislative, regulatory and policy framework. / Level 5 Diploma in Health and Social Care, leadership and management or equivalent
Knowledge and understanding of the needs of people with complex communication needs and the services to support them.
Evidence of continuous professional development and leadership training / Specific training, in assessment, and quality and assurance, such as TAQA
Knowledge of quality assurance frameworks
Experience
Demonstrable experience of assessing and auditing the quality of health and social care services using a range of tools and approaches
Demonstrable experience of engaging stakeholders, including people who use services and their families, in the assessment and auditing of health and social care services / Experience of developing and implementing approaches to consultation
Producing clear, concise and evidence based reports arising from audits, including setting out action plans for improvement
Experience of undertaking complex service reviews and investigations and reporting conclusions and recommendations
Skills and Abilities
Experience of developing effective working relationships across complex organisations
Commitment to and ability to demonstrate Sense’s values and I-Statements
Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate, engage and influence stakeholders effectively, including effective consultation with people who use services and their families. / Ability to provide guidance, advice and support, including mentoring and coaching with managers and support staff
Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal
Ability to influence, negotiate and develop effective working relationships, both internal and external to Sense.
Excellent assessment and analytical skills and ability to interpret complex information and data. Good attention to detail.
Good level of IT skills, including the use of databases and understanding of systems and processes. / Ability to use systems such as Microsoft Dynamics.
Able to remain calm under pressure
Methodical and systematic approach to organising workload within clear deadlines / Ability to prioritise tasks and workload
Willing to travel and work away from home on a regular basis