Patient Safety, Experience, Risk & Quality Lead, Band 8a

NHS; Tadworth; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charity for children with brain injuries is seeking a Patient Safety, Experience, Risk and Quality Lead. This pivotal position involves ensuring high standards of quality and safety across services. The ideal candidate will lead quality improvement initiatives, enhance patient experiences, and promote a culture of safety. With an attractive salary and diverse benefits, this role offers a rewarding opportunity for a dedicated healthcare professional.

Benefits

London weighting

Free on-site parking

Staff shuttle service

Subsidised cafeteria

Flexible leave for family planning

Qualifications

• Proven experience in healthcare quality assurance for at least two years at a Band 7 or above.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data.
• Experience of working with CQC and Ofsted regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction in quality, risk, and patient safety initiatives.
• Lead quality improvement projects aimed at enhancing patient care.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate clinical and non-clinical risks.

Skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Strong attention to detail

Ability to work collaboratively

Calm under pressure

Education

Current nursing registration with NMC

Masters level qualification

Job description

The Childrens Trust exists to support children and their families with acquired brain injuries and neurodisabilities. We are a complex organisation that constantly thrives to deliver the best outcomes for the children and young people we serve.

The Patient Safety, Experience, Risk and Quality Lead at The Children's Trust is a key leadership role within the nursing directorate, reporting directly to the Head of Safety, Clinical Governance, Risk, and Quality. This position is responsible for ensuring that the highest standards of quality and safety are maintained across all services provided to children and families. Develop, implement, and monitor frameworks and initiatives that enhance patient experience and safety, reduce risks, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. This role requires collaboration across multidisciplinary teams to foster a culture of continuous improvement and excellence in care delivery.

Staff benefits include London weighting, shuttle bus, and more. Read more below.

Main duties of the job

Role Requirements

Provide strategic direction and leadership in quality, risk, patient experience, and patient safety initiatives.

Develop and implement policies and procedures that align with national standards and best practices.

Promote a culture of safety and quality across all levels of the organisation, encouraging staff engagement and ownership.

Design and work across the organisation to embed a quality impact assessment process to support strategic decision making.

The role requires flexibility in terms of hours of work, including the ability to work early and late and occasional weekend days to supervise the nursing and care services.

Interview Date: Wednesday 22nd October 2025

About us

The Childrens Trust is the UKs leading charity for children with acquired brain injury, providing expert rehabilitation, education, therapy, and care at our national specialist centre in Tadworth, and to children and their families across the UK, via our Brain Injury Community Service.

Boasting a beautiful 24-acre site in Surrey, we are located just outside of London, close to the M25 (accessible via Junction 8, A217 to Tadworth) and easily accessible via National Rail, by way of Clapham Junction, Sutton, and Epsom.

The work we do is highly rewarding, and in addition to an attractive salary, we offer a valuable range of benefits, including adoption pay, time off for fertility treatment, enhanced paternity leave, paid carers leave, time out days for those experiencing menopause symptoms, and time off for gender reassignment.

We also offer additional annual leave days for those with long service, with entitlements ranging from 35 to 41 days (including bank holidays) depending on length of service.

Other benefits include free on-site parking; a staff shuttle service from Epsom and Sutton train stations to Tadworth Court, subsidised cafeteria, on-site staff accommodation (subject to availability), the ability to retain your NHS pension (where applicable) or the opportunity to join an alternative scheme, and the opportunity to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Job responsibilities

Leadership and Strategic Development

• Provide strategic direction and leadership in quality, risk, patient experience, and patient safety initiatives.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures that align with national standards and best practices.
• Promote a culture of safety and quality across all levels of the organisation, encouraging staff engagement and ownership.
• Design and work across the organisation to embed a quality impact assessment process to support strategic decision making.

Quality Improvement Initiatives

• Lead quality improvement projects aimed at enhancing patient care and operational efficiency.
• Utilise data analysis to identify areas for improvement, track progress, and measure outcomes.
• Collaborate with clinical teams to implement evidence-based practices that improve care delivery.
• Identify and embed a consistent Quality Improvement methodology and work across the organisation to embed this into the wider governance structures.

Risk Management

• Identify, assess, and mitigate clinical and non-clinical risks associated with patient care.
• Oversee the management of incidents and complaints, ensuring thorough investigation and learning opportunities are communicated.
• Develop clinical risk management frameworks and support the integration of risk assessments into everyday practice.

Patient Safety and Experience

• Champion initiatives that prioritise patient safety and promote positive patient and family experiences.
• Work in accordance with the Trusts PSIRF Plan, promoting learning and improvement.
• Lead on the coordination, implementation, and monitoring of National Patient Safety Alerts across the Trust, ensuring timely compliance and effective dissemination to relevant teams.
• Manage and oversee the development, implementation, and monitoring of actions arising from investigations.
• Establish mechanisms for gathering patient and family feedback, using insights to drive service improvement.
• Implement safety protocols and monitor compliance with safety standards across all services.

Training and Development

• Facilitate training programs for staff on quality, risk management, patient safety, and enhancing patient experience.
• Act as a mentor and coach to promote best practices in clinical governance and risk management among nursing staff and other healthcare professionals.

Collaboration and Communication

• Work closely with the Head of Safety, Clinical Governance, Risk, and Quality to ensure cohesive strategies are developed and implemented.
• Collaborate with external stakeholders, including regulatory bodies and other healthcare organisations, to ensure alignment with broader safety and quality agendas.
• Prepare reports and presentations for senior management and relevant committees, ensuring effective communication of findings and recommendations.

Compliance and Assurance

• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, and standards set by NHS and other governing and commissioning bodies.
• Conduct regular audits and reviews of quality and safety practices, leading to actionable insights and recommendations.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of developments in quality, risk, patient experience, and safety, integrating new knowledge into practice.
• Assist with the completion of the statutory annual quality account for the organisation.

Data Management and Reporting

• Oversee the collection, analysis, and reporting of quality and safety data to inform decision-making processes.
• Ensure that patient safety incidents are appropriately reported in line with national guidelines, maintaining confidentiality and transparency.

Continuous Professional Development

• Maintain a current understanding of clinical governance and audit best practices, attending relevant training and professional development opportunities.
• Contribute to a culture of learning and improvement within the organisation by sharing knowledge and expertise with colleagues.

Leadership and Management

• Provide leadership and direction for the organisation in relation to clinical governance, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.
• Participate in the senior site manager rota.

Governance

Maintain accurate records.

Professionalism

Takes action and raises concerns. Adhere to the policies and procedures of The Childrens Trust. Maintain professional boundaries and professionalism at all times. Committed to demonstrating the organisations values and behaviours at all times.

Health and Safety

Adheres to all Health and Safety guidelines, principles, and regulations to perform your role and comply with The Childrens Trust policies and procedures. Provide evidence of all vaccinations (or medical exemption) required for the post. Adhere to manual handling procedures and complete mandatory manual handling training. Promotes the health and safety of others. Uses the incident reporting and risk assessment system to identify and report risks and incidents/actions if directed. Responsible for identifying and mitigating risk within the work environment.

Wellbeing and Emotional Resilience

Maintains a positive approach and outlook when dealing with change and overcoming challenges and problems. Recognises own limitations, develops realistic goals, and uses support network resource when or if necessary. Treats challenges and problems as a learning experience. Remains organised and focused when under pressure. Responds appropriately and effectively to all constructive feedback. Motivates self and other. Whilst undertaking the duties of the substantively employed role, this post is required to participate in a senior rota cover on site and respond to clinical escalations only in addition to their role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Current nursing registration with NMC
• Masters level qualification (relevant to role)

Skills, Abilities & Knowledge

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence a range of stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills (both written and verbal).
• Highly organised, strong attention to detail and aptitude for working methodically.
• Ability to embrace change and new challenges and learn new skills with a positive attitude.
• Remain calm under pressure, with the ability to multi-task.
• Ability to work collaboratively and as part of a team, whilst taking personal responsibility.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to display discretion when dealing with confidential and sensitive information.

Personal Qualities

• Commitment to the vision and values of The Childrens Trust.
• Flexible and can-do attitude to competing commitments in workload.
• Highly motivated and reliable.
• Ability to cope working in a demanding environment.
• Commitment to maintaining personal wellbeing and the wellbeing of colleagues.

Experience

• Proven experience in healthcare quality assurance, quality improvement and risk management processes for at least two years at a Band 7 or above.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and make informed decisions.
• Experience in leading quality improvement initiatives and facilitating change within clinical settings.
• Working under pressure in complex and demanding environments, and to specific timeframes.
• Ability to build strong relationships with clients.
• Experience of working with databases, updating tracking spreadsheets and information systems.
• Experience and practical application of CQC, Ofsted Care and Ofsted Education regulations.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£60,085 - £66,901 pa (dependent on experience and including OLW)