Quality Assurance Audit Officer

CRA Group Limited; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is looking for an experienced Quality Assurance & Practice Improvement Officer to lead the fostering quality assurance activity and practice improvement. This role involves significant responsibility in analyzing performance data, quality assuring assessments, and driving continuous improvement in outcomes for children and young people. The ideal candidate will have in-depth experience of fostering regulations and a recognized social work qualification. The role is suitable for hybrid working.

Qualifications

• In-depth experience of fostering regulations, national minimum standards and quality assurance.
• Significant experience within corporate parenting / fostering services.
• Proven ability to analyse complex data and make sound professional judgements in a safeguarding context.
• Strong report writing skills with experience presenting findings to senior management.

Responsibilities

• Lead on fostering quality assurance activity and practice improvement.
• Analyse performance data and quality assure fostering assessments.
• Monitor Special Guardianship applications and improvement plans.
• Produced high-quality audit reports for senior leaders.

Skills

Fostering regulations

Data analysis

Report writing

Professional coaching

Organizational skills

Excellent communication

Education

Recognised professional social work qualification (DipSW, CQSW or equivalent)

Job description

Luton Borough Council is seeking an experienced Quality Assurance & Practice Improvement Officer to join the Children, Families & Education - Corporate Parenting (Fostering) Service on an interim basis.

Responsibilities

• This senior specialist role will lead on fostering quality assurance activity, practice improvement and audit across the service, ensuring regulatory compliance and driving continuous improvement in outcomes for children and young people.
• The postholder will be responsible for analysing performance data, quality assuring fostering assessments and reviews, identifying themes and risks, and disseminating learning through reports, training and practice workshops.
• The role supports a culture of reflective practice, professional challenge and high standards within a statutory safeguarding environment and is suitable for hybrid working.
• Lead the development and implementation of fostering quality assurance and practice review processes.
• Collate, analyse and evaluate complex performance and audit data to identify themes, trends and areas for improvement.
• Quality assure Form F assessments, Regulation 24 processes and annual foster carer reviews.
• Monitor Special Guardianship applications and improvement plans, maintaining effective tracking systems.
• Produce high-quality audit reports and management information for senior leaders.
• Provide professional challenge and support to Team Managers and Heads of Service to ensure statutory and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and deliver practice workshops, learning events and training to raise practice standards.
• Maintain audit service plans and oversee quality assurance documentation and master records.
• Act as custodian of service products, reports and practice improvement materials.
• Liaise with managers, practitioners and partner agencies to support service improvement.
• Promote equality, safeguarding and anti‑discriminatory practice in all aspects of service delivery.

Qualifications

• In‑depth experience of fostering regulations, national minimum standards and quality assurance.
• Significant experience within corporate parenting / fostering services.
• Proven ability to analyse complex data and make sound professional judgements in a safeguarding context.
• Experience quality assuring social work practice and monitoring regulatory compliance.
• Strong report writing skills with experience presenting findings to senior management.
• Experience advising, coaching, supervising and supporting staff.
• Ability to challenge practice constructively and drive improvement.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities under pressure.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Recognised professional social work qualification (DipSW, CQSW or equivalent).