Compliance Audit Lead (Specialist)

Hartford Care; Dudley; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Hartford Care is seeking a Compliance Audit Lead to join our team. You will lead internal audits across our portfolio of care homes, ensuring regulatory standards and internal policies are met, and supporting homes to continually improve care quality.

You will design audit schedules, write evidence-based reports, and present findings to management. The role includes coaching Home Managers, guiding action plans, and preparing sites for external inspections.

Qualifications

• Auditing experience in care home and compliance roles.
• Experience managing quality assurance systems.
• Supervisory experience in residential/nursing homes.
• Knowledge of health and social care regulations (CQC Fundamental Standards, Care Act).
• Relevant management qualification (e.g., Level 5 or equivalent).
• Strong report writing and analytical skills; proficient with MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Design and run audit schedule for homes, including unannounced visits.
• Audit care quality, safeguarding, medication management, health and safety, food safety, documentation and staffing.
• Write clear, evidence-based reports with ratings, findings and recommendations.
• Ensure action plans are agreed, tracked and completed on time.
• Spot gaps, risks and trends; update audit tools and policies.
• Coach and support Home Managers and staff; run internal workshops.
• Prepare homes for external inspections (CQC, Fire, Food Safety) and keep up to date with legislation.
• Lead and mentor any Compliance Audit team members.

Skills

Auditing experience

Management experience

Residential care knowledge

Regulatory knowledge (CQC, Care Act)

Management qualification (Level 5+)

Report writing

Organisational skills

Person-centred care

Leadership and coaching

Flexible hours

Education

Management qualification (Level 5 or equivalent)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Compliance Audit Lead (Specialist) Overview

Company Name: Hartford Care

Job Role: Compliance Audit Lead (Specialist)

Qualifications: Not specified

Category: I

Job Type: Full Time

Location: Dudley, West Midlands, United Kingdom

What we're looking for

• Proven auditing experience in the care home sector, with a previous Compliance Audit role and experience managing quality assurance systems
• Previous management or supervisory experience in a residential and/or nursing home
• Experience in residential care for older adults, dementia, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, autism and mental health
• In-depth knowledge of health and social care regulations, including the CQC Fundamental Standards and the Care Act
• A relevant management qualification (e.g. RMA/Diploma, minimum Level 5)
• Strong report writing and analytical skills, with confident use of Word, Outlook and Excel
• Excellent organisational, time management and communication skills, with the ability to prioritise a complex workload under pressure
• A strong understanding of person-centred care and what outstanding, personalised care looks like
• The ability to lead, coach, motivate and develop others
• A flexible approach to working hours

Nice to have

• Knowledge of the Person-Centred Software (PCS) Care Planning System
• Knowledge of CIW regulations and assessments

The role

We are is looking for a Compliance Audit Lead to join us and help make sure every resident receives safe, high-quality, truly person-centred care.

You’ll lead, coordinate and carry out internal compliance audits across our portfolio of care homes. You’ll check that we meet regulatory standards, internal policies and best practice, and you’ll support our homes to keep improving. Reporting to the Policy Implementation Manager, you’ll work closely with our Operations Team, Senior Managers and Directors.

What you'll do

• Designing and running an audit schedule for our homes, including unannounced visits
• Auditing care quality, safeguarding, medication management, health and safety, food safety, documentation and staffing, using the CQC Key Questions (KLOEs) or equivalent frameworks
• Writing clear, evidence-based reports with ratings, findings and recommendations, and presenting them to management and operational teams
• Making sure action plans are agreed, tracked and completed on time
• Spotting gaps, risks and emerging trends, and updating audit tools and policies where needed
• Coaching and supporting Home Managers and staff, including running internal workshops on compliance best practice
• Preparing homes for external inspections (CQC, Fire, Food Safety) and keeping up to date with changes in adult social care legislation
• Leading and mentoring any Compliance Audit team members

Essential

Visa sponsorship: check with employer