Head of Audit for Specialist Benefits

Government Recruitment Service; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK public service department is seeking a Head of Audit for Specialist Benefits to lead health assessments and ensure quality delivery through effective audits. The role involves developing health professionals, maintaining clinical governance, and working collaboratively with teams to improve service outcomes for vulnerable customers. Candidates should possess strong leadership skills and relevant health qualifications. Flexible working arrangements can be discussed. This is an excellent opportunity to impact the welfare sector significantly.

Qualifications

• Active member of senior leadership with clear communication skills.
• Experience leading teams including diverse groups of health professionals.
• Proven track record in audit processes and clinical governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the audit of non-WCA benefits.
• Develop and oversee a clinical professional development program.
• Provide expert clinical advice to DWP stakeholders.
• Champion effective controls for health assessment contracts.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical expertise

Knowledge of WCA assessments

Diversity and inclusion promotion

Audit processes

Education

Relevant health professional qualification

Job description

Background to the role

Are you a health professional with experience of conducting health assessments and auditing assessment reports against agreed assessment criteria? Would you love the opportunity to join a team committed to the successful delivery of specialist services for some of the most vulnerable customers in the UK? The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy. As the UK’s biggest public service Department, we operate on a scale that is almost unmatched anywhere in Europe and most people in Britain come into contact with us at some point in their lives. DWP are looking for a health professional to fill the role of Head of Audit for Specialist Benefits, in Contract Management and Partner Delivery Directorate (CMPD) Controls and Assurance Division (CAD). CAD is responsible for the control’s environment for DWP’s suite of nationally contracted health assessment and employment support contracts, working to ensure these contracts deliver value for money and protect the public purse, and great customer service. Contract Management and Partner Delivery (CMPD) is a Corporate Team within DWP. It’s an incredibly exciting time to be working in CMPD. The role of CMPD is to ensure that our contracted employment and health assessment suppliers deliver the right outcome for the customer. The Directorate sits within DWP’s Finance Group and works closely with a wide range of colleagues including DWP Operations, Commercial, Finance, Strategy and contracted suppliers. More information about DWP, CMPD and this role is included in the candidate pack.

Working Pattern

This is a full time post, but applications are also welcome from those with alternative working patterns. Working patterns will be discussed on an individual basis, but successful applicants may need to be flexible and/or be prepared to consider alternative working patterns where required to meet with FG’s operating hours from 8am to 6pm.

Key Requirements of the role

• Be an active member of the CMPD senior leadership community, communicating a clear and compelling vision to teams, partners and suppliers, supporting delivery of CMPD and DWP aims and objectives and role‑modeling a culture that strives for excellence.
• Working with the Head of Clinical Audit and Observations, provide inspirational and visible leadership to a team of health professionals, including DWP employees, secondees and contracted Health Care Professionals (HCPs), whilst actively promoting diversity and inclusion, and supporting staff health and wellbeing.
• Lead the Department’s audit of non‑WCA benefits, including undertaking checks of the Supplier internal Audits for non‑WCA benefits e.g. such Industrial Injuries Benefit (IIB), DLA, IPC and Veterans Agency, plus other minor benefits. Undertake WCA audits as required.
• To work with the Heads of Clinical Audit and Observations (WCA) to develop and oversee the delivery of a clinical continuous professional development programme for Controls and Assurance Division (CAD) Health Professionals in order develop highly skilled Health Professionals and to ensure maintenance of registration with relevant accreditation bodies.
• Use robust knowledge and understanding of WCA and non‑WCA assessments to provide expert clinical advice to support team members and wider DWP stakeholders.
• To maintain, develop and champion effective controls for DWP’s health assessment contracts including managing the delivery of audits and ensuring appropriate feedback is given to the Assessment suppliers with a keen focus on quality and delivery.
• Develop and maintain robust processes to support the quality and consistency of clinical audits to support high standards of clinical practice.
• To work with the Head of Clinical Audit and Observations (WCA) to embed the DWP Clinical Governance Quality and Standards to continuously improve the quality and consistency of the clinical audits delivered by Clinical Assurance Division (CAD).