Compliance Audit Lead (Specialist)

Hartford Care Ltd.; Dudley; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Hartford Care Ltd is seeking a Compliance Audit Lead to oversee internal compliance audits across its portfolio of care homes in the UK. You will ensure regulatory standards, internal policies and best practices are met while supporting homes to improve quality of care.

You will design audit schedules, perform unannounced visits, draft clear reports, and drive action plans with management. Experience in care home auditing and leadership is essential.

Qualifications

• Proven auditing experience in the care home sector.
• Previous management or supervisory experience in residential/nursing homes.
• Experience with health and social care regulations (CQC Fundamental Standards, Care Act).
• Strong report writing and analytical skills with MS Office proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Design and run an audit schedule for our homes, including unannounced visits.
• Audit care quality, safeguarding, medication management, health and safety, food safety, documentation and staffing using CQC KLOEs or equivalent.
• Write clear, evidence-based reports with ratings, findings and recommendations for management and operations teams.
• Ensure action plans are agreed, tracked and completed on time.
• Spot gaps, risks and trends; update audit tools and policies as needed.
• Coach and support Home Managers and staff, including internal workshops on compliance.
• Prepare homes for external inspections (CQC, Fire, Food Safety) and stay updated on adult social care legislation changes.
• Lead and mentor the Compliance Audit team members.

Skills

Auditing

Management

Report writing

Time management

Communication

Person-centred care

Education

Management qualification Level 5

Tools

MS Word

Outlook

Excel

Job description

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.

About the role

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 be doing

• 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

About you

Essential

• 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

Desirable

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