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

Job Summary

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

The Quality, Risk, Patient Experience, and Patient Safety 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.

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.

Interview Date: To be confirmed.

About Us

The Childrens Trust is the UK's 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.

Staff Benefits

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, 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 your 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.
• 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 (IRAR), 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 others.
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

Essential

• Current nursing registration with NMC

Desirable

• Masters level qualification (relevant to role)

Skills, Abilities & Knowledge

Essential

• 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

Essential

• 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

Essential

• 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.
• Strong management skills.
• 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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

Employer Details

Employer Name
The Children's Trust
Address
The Childrens Trust
Tadworth Court
Tadworth
Surrey
KT20 5RU
Employer's Website