Job info	Job info details
Job title	Quality Assurance Team Manager
Strategic team/Directorate	Children’s Services
Service	Learning and Partnership Hubs
Business unit	Quality Assurance
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Head of Quality Assurance
Accountable to (line manager)	Head of Quality Assurance
Salary grade	L
JE ref	CSERV027

1. Key purpose of job

• To deliver the Children’s Services Quality Assurance Framework.
• Responsible for the overall business performance and quality assurance within the selected service area.
• To provide management support to ensure Quality Assurance frameworks and practice is fully conversant with policy, guidance, research, and best practice. Ensuring that this is integrated into learning opportunities and understood across Children’s Services.
• To ensure the effective management of the Services business, including the co-ordination of forward planning, report writing, performance management, customer management and any associated projects in relation to quality assurance.
• Deliver improved outcomes for children through the development of integrated systems, processes, and practices across Children’s Services.
• Develop and deliver training to embed best practice within Quality Assurance and embed the learning from quality assurance across children’s services.
• Provide strategic direction and operational oversight for the SENDIAS service, ensuring it meets statutory duties under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice. Lead the continuous improvement of the SENDIASS service, ensuring it remains responsive, impartial, and accessible to children, young people, and their families. Foster strong relationships with local authorities, schools, health services, and voluntary sector partners to ensure coordinated support for families.
• Provide leadership and direction to the Alternative Provider Impact Lead, ensuring the effective delivery and evaluation of alternative education provision in line with statutory guidance and local priorities.
• Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of the impact for children and young people in alternative provision placements, ensuring they meet the needs of learners and deliver positive outcomes.
• Ensure that all alternative education pathways support inclusive practice, safeguard young people, and promote their engagement and progression.

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

• By working with the Head of Service, the strategic service objectives and policies for the council, Torbay Childrens Services and Torbay Safeguarding ad SEND partnerships as agreed with the Divisional Director learning and partnership hubs are planned and delivered effectively through:
  
  • Integration with the overall objectives of the Council, Central Government and Partners, including as measured by national and local performance indicators.
• Quality assurance, performance data and feedback form service users are used to promote and create a learning environment which prioritises professional development and is rooted in research in practice and used to inform business planning. Drive the development of integrated working within and across teams for the benefit of young people and their families toe ensure those who receive support experience this as a seamless process.
• Effective, sustainable relationships are built with managers across the local authority and partner agencies.
• Ongoing improvement which ensures that all Children’s Service’s staff appropriately addresses any issues of equality, diversity and identity.
• High-Quality, Impartial Support: Children, young people, and families receive timely, accurate, and impartial information, advice, and support. Service users report increased confidence in navigating the SEND system and feel heard and supported.
• The SENDIASS service consistently meets legal and contractual obligations, with robust monitoring and evaluation systems in place. Service delivery is informed by user feedback, data analysis, and reflective practice, leading to measurable improvements in outcomes. The service operates in line with national legislation (e.g., Section 19 of the Education Act 1996), local policy, and best practice standards.
• Young people in alternative provision make measurable progress in academic,
  social, and emotional development.
• Alternative education placements are used appropriately, with clear entry and exit criteria, and are regularly reviewed for impact and suitability.
• High-quality data is collected and analysed to inform strategic decisions, identify trends, and support continuous improvement. 

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

• As an Employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding is the Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services.
• Responsible for improving the outcomes of children across Children’s Services through the delivery of two Quality Assurance Frameworks, which assures quality of practice to ensure children and young people receive a high-quality interventions and support.
• In conjunction with the Divisional Director, Head of Service and service managers, manage and continuously develop the performance management systems across the service. Ensure that they respond to national, regional, local and Ofsted reporting requirements and provide accurate and timely information for service managers to understand their business needs.
• Ensure policy development and review activity across the service, including statutory requirements is co-ordinated and aligns with the annual cycle both within Torbay Council and Court Performance so that outcomes are timely and effective.
• To undertake individual audits and to work with others in completing multi-agency audits and those conducted by the TSCP and SEND.
• Accountable for the performance of the team and drive the delivery of improved outcomes as measured by an agreed set of indicators and engender a performance culture that is inquisitive but is also rigorous in offering challenge so that improvements can be made.
• Lead the application of best practice via learning and development, individual supervision and team meetings.
• Monitor effectiveness of contracts to ensure compliance and cost effectiveness under the direction of the Head of Service for QA.
• Lead, co-ordinate, and champion equalities within Children’s Services and provide representation as required.
• Conduct analysis and report on research findings to inform strategic reports for both the Continuous Improvement Board and the SEND Strategy Board.
• To work with the Principle Social Worker / Heads of Service/ Service Managers to ensure that learning from audit activity is disseminated through a variety of innovative approaches.
• Facilitate collaborative working with key stakeholders to ensure that system developments promote good practice and Service Managers and Heads of Service are provided with advice and guidance to enable the systems to be used to their full potential in accordance with the relevant policies.
• Co-ordinate the formal planning and performance reporting processes in relation to children Social Care and SEND for Corporate, Cabinet Member and operational plans, ensuring that deadlines are met.
• Lead, monitor and report on Quality Assurance activity across Children’s Services to co-ordinate and manage practice development responses.
• Prepare plans and performance monitoring reports on the work of the service area in line with corporate and directorate requirements. Advise on actions in response to variances from performance targets and the impact of these.
• Represent the Divisional Director, Head of Service or Service Manager in his/her absence on matters as directed.
• Develop and deliver training based on quality assurance findings and to embed best practice across children’s services.
• Lead on complex projects as directed by the Divisional Director and Head of Service across Children’s Services and make recommendations.
• Contribute as a member of the management team to the creation of a coherent and co-ordinated service and to the overall service objectives.
• Facilitate collaborative working with Family Courts and key stakeholders to ensure that system developments promote good practice and Service Managers and Heads of Service are provided with advice and guidance to enable the systems to be used to their full potential in accordance with the relevant policies.
• Manage and supervise the SENDIASS service ensuring families with a child/young person who experiences SEND have access to independent and impartial information, advice and support.

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

• Provide leadership and direction for budget planning within services to ensure value for money within the SENDIASS service.
• Responsible for approving and signing off expenses and other claims e.g travel allowances, training for the SENDIASS service.
• Responsibility with Team manager for SENDIASS to record and monitor SENDIASS budget expenditure for performance purposes.

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

• The post holder will be responsible for the direct line management of:
  
  • 1 x SEN Auditor.
  • 1 x Education, Safeguarding and Assurance Advisor.
  • 1 x Quality Assurance Support Officer. 
  • 1 x Designated Social Care Officer. 
  • 1 x Alternative Provision Impact Lead.
  • 1 x SENDIASS Manager. 
• The post holder will also have overall responsibility for 2 X SENDIASS Case Workers.
• The post holder will be required to take the lead in proving regular planned supervision and management oversight in relation to safeguarding children issues, reflective practice and the health and wellbeing of the supervisee in relation to the deliver of their role. The post holder will have the knowledge, skills and experience to provide ongoing specialist advice, consultation and recommendations to other professionals regrading children and young people.
• Ensure that appropriate professional standards/competencies are being met and monitored and ensure that team members keep a record of their learning.
• Demonstrate leadership competencies, acting with openness, honesty, integrity, instilling a clear sense of direction, purpose, priority and pace. Manage people in an inclusive way to deliver operational objectives.
• The post holder will manage the Quality Assurance Framework and hold other managers at all levels accountable for QA activities.

6. Working environment and conditions of the post

• Normal working environment and conditions.

7. Physical demands of the post

• Normal physical demands.

8. Specific resources used by the post

• None.

9. Key contacts and relationships

External:

• Partner agencies.
• Other government agencies. 
• Public and voluntary sector. 
• Peninsula colleagues. 
• Ofsted. 
• Other inspecting bodies. 
• Other local authorities. 

Internal:

• Working with staff at all levels within the council. 
• Engaging with members through formal governance mechanisms. 
• Collaboration and project work with other senior managers, staff working at levels within the Council including detailing with members. 
• Childrens Social Care and Education Services, procurement and legal services. 

10. Other duties

• To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.

Other Information

• All staff must commit to the Workplace Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Policy.
• Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
• The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. And are aware that the Chief Executive and the Director for Children's Services are the Safeguarding Leads for the Council. 
• This post is office based at the Town Hall, Castle Circus, Torquay but the post holder may be required to move their base to any other location within the Council at a future date. 
• The post is eligible for hybrid working. 
• As this post meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check (Disclosure) from the Disclosure & Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of ALL cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions, whether “spent” or “unspent”. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post.
• The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement.
• The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
• The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role. 
• The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes. 
• If this post is customer facing, it will require the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
• If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council. 

Person Specification

Note for Candidate

All Candidates

The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement. In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.

Candidates who consider that they have a disability

Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.

If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.

Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.

If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.

Job info	Job info details
Job Title	Quality Assurance Team Manager
Strategic team/Directorate	Children’s Services
Service	Learning and Partnership Hubs
Business unit	Quality Assurance

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

• How to cultivate and improve relationships across the sector to achieve organisational objectives.
• Ability to motivate, manage and develop staff.
• Have a clear ability to analyse data understand trends and inform practice.
• Ability to interpret and understand financial information.
• Highly developed oral, presentation and written skills and ability to deliver to a wide range of audiences.
• Ability to design, develop and deliver training utilising a variety of methods.
• Ability to manage and co-ordinate resources.
• Be able to use influence and persuasion skills.
• Enhanced IT Skills across a multitude of difference platforms
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Desirable skills and effectiveness

• Project management.

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

• Significant knowledge of current policy and practice relating to Children's Services local government and partnership working.
• Considerable knowledge of relevant legislation and processes relating to children’s social care/ SEND.
• Understanding of the SENDIASS function and relevant legislation.
• Considerable knowledge of the role and responsibilities of the social workers/ those working within Special educational needs.
• Business continuity management.
• Planning and project management strategies, including escalation of non-compliance.
• How organisational arrangements can help promote diversity and anti-discriminatory employment and service delivery.
• Key issues in supporting health and safety practices in a large organisation.
• The role and impact of customer service across the local authority including complaint management. 
• Quality assurance systems and techniques. 

Desirable knowledge

N/A

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

• Experience of successful working in a performance management or programme management environment.
• Successful management of staff, projects and resources in a large organisation.
• Strategic and contingency planning.
• Working to or exceeding organisational standards in health and safety, equalities, governance and personnel.
• Business continuity planning.
• Experience of developing effective performance management systems for cases within the court arena. 
• Working in a political environment. 

Desirable experience and achievements

• Managing Quality Assurance and Learning. 

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

• Educated to degree level standard or equivalent in a relevant subject such as Social Care, Health, Education, Children and Youth Work, Probation or Criminal Justice or significant demonstrable experience.
• Evidence of continued professional development.

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

N/A

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job role

• Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
• Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/South West/UK in order to carry out duties.
• Ability to accommodate unsociable hours.
• Ability to accommodate occasional homeworking.