Person specification
Job title: Senior Improvement Advisor (Registered Nurse)
Attributes
Experience
Essential
- Registered General Nurse with all round knowledge of the health and wellbeing of adults and older people in addition to specialist skills and knowledge in one of the following areas:
- tissue viability
- nutrition
- promoting continence
- palliative and end of life care
- frailty
- Be a senior practitioner/manager with the ability to lead and operate at a national level.
- Experience of successfully managing multi-disciplinary and multi-agency teams across health and social care.
- Be able to provide general health and wellbeing advice, guidance to all teams in across the Care Inspectorate including early learning and childcare and young people, and signpost where appropriate to specific support.
- Have current credibility in their field, be this as a practitioner or a nationally recognised role.
- Experience of working creatively with partners to develop ideas and solutions to deliver change and improvement in a range of areas.
- Experience of developing and delivering educational programmes in a variety of formats.
- Experience of leading quality improvement projects.
Desirable
- Research experience.
- Experience of evidence based policy development.
- Experience of working closely with a variety of national bodies.
Education, qualifications and training
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent in Nursing.
- Registered with the NMC.
- Hold a formal qualification in an aspect of improvement science such as Scottish Improvement Leader (ScIL) programme, ROCA/PDA, EFQM or willingness to work towards this or an equivalent quality improvement qualification.
- Commitment to own CPD.
Skills and knowledge
Essential
- Enhanced professional skills in a relevant discipline with the ability to apply this into the social care context.
- Expert knowledge of the social care sector and the interface with health.
- Understanding of the importance of the involvement of people experiencing care in the co-design and co-production of quality improvement initiatives.
- Ability to work autonomously in partnership and collaborate with key stakeholders including Scottish Government, HSCPs, LAs, Health Boards and service providers in the statutory, independent and voluntary sector.
- Excellent negotiating, facilitating, influencing and coaching skills.
- Understanding of quality improvement theory/change management and its practical application in health and social care settings.
- Ability to support implementation, spread and sustainability of specific improvements.
- Ability to develop and maintain extensive internal and external communication systems.
- Ability to respectfully challenge and influence at all levels.
- Excellent communicator with the ability to translate plans into actions.
- ICT skills and ability to use Care Inspectorate systems as required.
- Politically astute.
Desirable
- Ability to set up systems to monitor improvement, analyse data and develop quality improvement solutions.
Leading others
Essential
- Ability to provide leadership, a clear sense of purpose and direction to a professional team and meet the outcomes/improvements of the programme of work.
Management of resources
Essential
- Ability to bring together the overall work of a team of staff, including staff and budget responsibilities.
- Ability to manage resources and budgets in achievement of the Care Inspectorate.
- Ability to drive continuous quality improvement and manage planning and performance processes.
Effective communication
Essential
- Articulate and positive communicator both in verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to engage, influence and lead the development of a wide range of key stakeholder relationships, both internally and externally.
- The ability to build and guide key stakeholder strategies and manage relationships to secure delivery of the programme and sustain improvements.
Impact and influence
Essential
- Demonstrates ability to influence at all levels.
- Ability to promote, lead and implement strategies and change programmes to improve the development and quality of services and reduce health and social inequalities.
- Evidence of building positive relationships, engaging and collaborating effectively with others internally and externally and at all levels.
- Demonstrates personal resilience, being able to work flexibly under pressure with stamina and tenacity to deliver results.
Desirable
- Ability to take account of wider political and organisational sensitivities to deliver strategic objectives.
Objective decision making
Essential
- The ability to assist senior/executive management to set, in consultation with others, the overall strategic agenda objectives and performance standards for the programme.
- Demonstrates analytical and systematic approach to problem solving.
- Ability to make appropriate and realistic judgments, based on relevant, up to date and verifiable information.
- The ability to take responsibility for difficult decisions and to remain resilient against possible criticism.
Please note these are key performance outcomes to be used to recruit into the role.
Job profile
Job Title: Communications Co-ordinator (Safe staffing programme)
Responsible to: Communications Manager
Principal working contacts
- Communications Manager
- Communications colleagues
- Head of Corporate Policy and Communications
- Chief Nurse
- Safe staffing programme lead and team
- Managers and employees of the Care Inspectorate
- External suppliers and agencies
Job purpose
To provide communications advice and deliver communications activity to support the promotion and understanding of the safe staffing programme. Communications activity to support other projects will also be required.
Key responsibilities
- Help create and deliver a communications plan for the safe staffing programme, which aligns with the communications strategy.
- Work with the safe staffing programme team to promote its work and engage with the sector on this important area of legislation.
- Deliver a broad mix of high-quality communications solutions to tight and demanding schedules.
- Support production and promotion of the organisation’s information and promotional collateral, primarily for the safe staffing programme and for other projects as required.
- Represent external communications on project groups, taking responsibility to provide dedicated advice and support.
- Write copy in clear conversational style, following the Care Inspectorate corporate style, for a wide range of content and material, primarily for the safe staffing programme and for other projects as required.
- Edit and proof copy written by others to ensure clarity and consistency.
Relationship management
- Develop supportive and productive working relationships with colleagues.
- Ensure effective working in accordance with Care Inspectorate protocols.
- Liaise and work collaboratively with professionals and external bodies to promote the work of the Care Inspectorate and share good practice.
- Represent the Care Inspectorate as required at meetings and events.
- Ensure effective communication of the Care Inspectorate’s work with people who use care services, carers, relatives and advocates, primarily for the safe staffing programme and for other projects as required.
- Commit to the Care Inspectorate’s aims, vision and values to put people at the heart of our overall objective to improve care in Scotland.
Other duties
This job may require some travel, overnight stays and unsocial hours. This job description is a broad picture of the post at the date of preparation. It is not an exhaustive list and jobs can change and evolve over time. The post holder will be required to carry out any other duties to the equivalent level that are necessary to fulfil the purpose of the job, and to respond positively to changing business needs.
Job profile
Job title: Senior Improvement Adviser - Registered Nurse (focus on health and wellbeing)
Reporting to: Quality Improvement Manager (Health and Social Care Improvement Team)
Principal working contacts
Internal
- Quality Improvement Manager and Chief Nurse
- Health and Social Care Improvement Team
- Chief Inspectors
- Head of Quality Improvement and Participation
- Quality Improvement Support Team
- Involvement and Equalities Team
- Senior Leadership Team
- Scrutiny and Assurance Service Managers, Team Managers, and Inspectors
- Policy Team Intelligence Team and Communications team
External
- Scottish Government policy leads
- Service providers and care service staff
- Other regulatory, scrutiny and improvement bodies
- NHS boards staff and agencies, local authorities, partnerships, and integrated joint boards
- National specialist groups, e.g. Continence specialists, Nutrition specialists
- Members of the public and other stakeholders
- Professional Bodies and Royal Colleges
Job purpose
Working alongside the Care Inspectorate’s Chief nurse and Quality Improvement Manager and under the umbrella of Quality Improvement and with close collaboration with Scrutiny and Assurance. The post holder will promote standards and good practice in nursing-based care and support:
- Provide all round knowledge of the health and wellbeing of adults and older people in addition to specialist skills and knowledge in one of the following areas:
- tissue viability
- nutrition
- promoting continence
- palliative and end of life care
- frailty
- Provide general health and wellbeing advice, guidance to all teams in across the Care Inspectorate, and signpost where appropriate to specific support.
- Lead and develop aspects of the Care Inspectorate’s health and social care quality improvement functions based on current and emerging models of delivery that will facilitate improvements in practice in care services and improve the outcomes for people experiencing care.
- Build the capability and confidence of inspectors across inspection, complaints, and registration teams, in specific topic areas, supporting their learning and development and keeping the evidence base of practice current.
- To support and shape scrutiny methodology as needed.
- Develop resources to support the health and wellbeing of people experiencing care for use both internally and externally.
- Build and develop strategic partnerships across the health and social care landscape to support the delivery of health and wellbeing improvement advice and quality improvement support.
Key responsibilities
- To build capacity for health and wellbeing quality improvement in the care sector and in the Care Inspectorate, across all scrutiny and quality improvement activities.
- To ensure professional advice is provided and sourced to support the Care Inspectorate in the delivery of its scrutiny and improvement activities.
- To lead the development of specific health and wellbeing focused quality illustrations / indicators, tools and improvement support materials to support the current inspection frameworks for use by inspectors and in care services.
- To develop and maintain the relationships with national bodies/improvement bodies to co-create developments in health and social care improvement, developing guidance, sharing good practice, and expert advice and support.
- To lead in ensuring the development of effective practice materials for use by inspectors and care services.
- To advise on quality improvement design and delivery to ensure the scrutiny and improvement plan is met, and to determine impact, ensuring that health and wellbeing priorities are addressed.
- To provide expert advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders on health and wellbeing improvement in social care.
- To promote the Care Inspectorate’s improvement work and to maintain the organisation’s reputation for supporting the development of high-quality, safe, compassionate care.
- To establish and maintain robust working relationships with stakeholders across the health and social care sectors.
- To maintain and further develop skills in quality improvement and safety including coaching, mentorship and facilitation of staff and managers both internally and externally.
- To challenge outdated and unsafe practice directly with service providers, sharing evidence from research and expert advice to shift practice and achieve the necessary improvement in care quality.
- To support the delivery of the Care Inspectorate’s corporate plan.
- Monitor, evaluate, and report on all key areas and tasks advising on progress and challenges regularly.
- To carry out any other reasonable tasks necessary to support the Care Inspectorate’s business.
Relationship management
- Work with the Care Inspectorate’s Chief Nurse, Quality Improvement Manager, Head of Improvement Support and Chief Inspectors to develop and facilitate a comprehensive approach to relationship management between the Care Inspectorate and various parts of the health and social care sector.
- Ensure effective communication of the Care Inspectorate’s quality improvement support role in social care to practitioners and managers in the health sector.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the Care Inspectorate’s aims, vision and values and to the Care Inspectorate’s overall objective of improving care in Scotland.
Other duties
This job may require extensive travel and involve overnight stays. This job profile is a broad picture of the post at the date of preparation. It is not an exhaustive list of all possible duties and it is recognised that jobs change and evolve over time. Consequently, the post holder will be required to carry out any other duties to the equivalent level that are necessary to fulfil the purpose of the job, and to respond positively to changing business needs.
The post holder will be expected to work autonomously in the main but also within a group, with agreed priorities and objectives. Objectives for this post will be agreed jointly with the relevant line manager and Head of Improvement Support and will be reviewed on a regular basis.
Person specification
Job title: Communications Co-ordinator
Attributes
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrates a successful record of accomplishment within a relevant role.
Education, qualifications and training
Essential
- Qualifications or skills and experience at SCQF Level 9 or above.
Desirable
- Membership of a relevant professional body such as Chartered Institute of Public relations or Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Skills and knowledge
Essential
- Excellent communication skills.
- Excellent literacy skills.
- Consistently delivers creative solutions.
- Manages conflicting priorities and works to tight deadlines.
- Flexible and responsive, reacting positively to rapidly changing priorities and demands.
- Works on own initiative and prioritises workload.
- Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
- Excellent understanding of social media in an organisational setting.
- Up-to-date knowledge, understanding and experience of the range of today’s communications disciplines and channels.
- Understands how to monitor, measure and demonstrate success through analytics and appropriate performance measures.
Desirable
- Experience using Joomla, Wordpress, Umbraco and other content management software. Knowledge of the social care sector.
Key performance outcomes
Effective communication
Essential
- Expresses ideas clearly and concisely and to adapt communication to suit different audiences.
- Produces written and verbal communication which is clear and concise.
- Listens actively to people, questions and checks understanding.
- Develops and maintains positive working relationships at all levels.
Desirable
- Plain English training or qualification.
- Copywriting or proofing training or qualification.
Objective decision making
Essential
- Understands the limits of their knowledge and experience and when to refer decisions to others.
- Acts consistently with the Care Inspectorate values to achieve the desired outcomes.
- Keeps aims and objectives consistently at the heart of decision making.
Planning and organisation
Essential
- Plans workload effectively in the short, medium and long term in conjunction with their line manager and work to strict deadlines.
- Demonstrates attention to detail in all areas.
- Shows initiative and proactively works without close supervision.
Team working
Essential
- Tolerant and fair towards others, values diversity and is non-discriminatory in their actions.
- Values and makes use of the skills, knowledge and experience of others.
- Cooperates with and supports others.
Personal accountability and responsibility
Essential
- Takes responsibility for actions.
- Maintains a high standard of work and actively looks for opportunities to improve their work.
- Demonstrates initiative within own areas of expertise.
- Ambitious and positive in quality assuring their work.
Please note – these are key performance outcomes to be used to recruit into the role. Successful applicants will be assessed against all the performance indicators used in the Performance Development Review System once established in the role.
Job profile
Job title: Communications Manager
Responsible to: Head of Corporate Policy and Communications
Principal working contacts
- Head of Corporate Policy and Communications
- Media Manager
- Strategic Communications Adviser
- All other members of the communications and policy team
- Managers and employees of the Care Inspectorate
- Suppliers and contractors
- External stakeholders in the care and regulatory sectors
Job purpose
To support the Care Inspectorate on the direction, delivery and implementation of the communications strategy of the Care Inspectorate alongside the Media Manager, Strategic Communications Adviser and other members of the communications team. To implement innovative communication methods which ensure all stakeholders are kept well informed and support new media development.
Key responsibilities
- Work under the direction of the Head of Corporate Policy and Communication and alongside the Media Manager and Strategic Communications Adviser to contribute to and support the delivery of the Care Inspectorate’s overall communications strategy and workplan.
- Providing professional advice and guidance on communications activities and policies to key stakeholders.
- Monitoring targets, measurement approaches and evaluative strategies to support continual improvement of communications activities.
- To deputise for the Head of Corporate Policy and Communications on communications-related issues as necessary.
- Devolved management of part of the Care Inspectorate’s communications budget.
- Ensure that consistent and complementary messaging is delivered across projects and communications channels, and that innovation and best practice is spread throughout the communications team.
- anage the communications coordinators in producing communications for and with our stakeholders e.g. newsletters, bulletins, publications to ensure we are an effective, leading edge, communications channel.
- Oversee the work of communications coordinators involved in the development of the website.
- Provide communications advice, guidance, practical materials and assistance to colleagues as required.
- Manage any specific communications projects / work streams, from conception to implementation, in order to provide relevant information in different formats to meet the needs of our stakeholders.
- Liaise with external stakeholders, analysing and evaluating information which will inform good practices both for communications.
- Keep abreast with key issues affecting communications, particularly in the social care sector.
People management
- Line manage the communications coordinators.
- Support, develop and coach team members through regular one-to-one supervision, performance development review and personal development plans.
- Contribute to the recruitment of employees and the implementation of HR policies.
- Promote consistent and quality practice in team members.
- Demonstrate commitment to the safety and security of the Care Inspectorate’s data, information systems and devices.
- Promote the health, safety and welfare of employees, with responsibility for ensuring that the Care Inspectorate health and safety policies, procedures and practice and legislative requirements are met across the team.
- Carry out your duties in accordance with our Health and Safety policies, procedures, guidance, practices and legislative requirements, taking reasonable care for your safety and that of others who may be affected by what you do or fail to do while at work
- Promote diversity, equality of opportunity, fairness, dignity and trust, ensuring that these principles are upheld across all areas of service delivery.
Relationship management
- Develop a productive working relationship with colleagues.
- Ensure effective working protocols in accordance with the Care Inspectorate’s Communications, Human Resources, Finance, IT and Operations function.
- Liaise with external bodies, statutory and voluntary, to promote the work of the Care Inspectorate and share good practice, as required.
- Represent the Care Inspectorate as required at meetings.
- Ensure effective communication of the Care Inspectorate’s work with people who use care services, carers, relatives and advocates.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the Care Inspectorate’s aims, vision and values and to the Care Inspectorate’s overall objective of improving care in Scotland.
- Model corporate behaviour and demonstrate commitment to organisation values.
- Develop and maintain constructive and co-operative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective and efficient directorate support.
- Promote the principles of collaborative working throughout the organisation and in all working practices in accordance with the Partnership Agreements with the trade unions.
- Ensure effective working protocols in accordance with the Care Inspectorate’s Communications, Human Resources, Finance, IT and Operations function.
- Project a professional image for the Care Inspectorate when dealing with colleagues and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the Care Inspectorate’s aims, vision and values and to the Care Inspectorate’s overall objective of improving care in Scotland.
Other duties
This job requires some travel and may involve some occasional overnight stays and unsocial hours.
This job profile is a broad picture of the post at the date of preparation. It is not an exhaustive list of all possible duties and it is recognised that jobs change and evolve over time. Consequently, the post holder will be required to carry out any other duties to the equivalent level that are necessary to fulfil the purpose of the job, and to respond positively to changing business needs.
Job profile
Job title: Accountant
Responsible to: Senior Accountant
Principal working contacts
- Head of Finance and Corporate Governance
- Finance & Procurement Manager
- Senior Accountant
- Finance Officers
- Transactions Manager
- Procurement Officer
- Senior Managers in the Care Inspectorate
- Internal and External Auditors
Job purpose
Support the Finance and Procurement Manager and the Senior Accountant to deliver a comprehensive finance service to the Care Inspectorate in line with Care Inspectorate policies. This role also supports the provision of financial services to the Scottish charity regular, OSCR.
Key responsibilities
Annual budget:
- Supporting the preparation of the annual budget, including reviewing financial plans to ensure high quality budget setting and monitoring.
Budget monitoring:
- Preparing monthly budget monitoring information to budget holders to meet their individual needs.
- Support budget managers with the management of their budgets by providing financial advice and guidance in line with financial regulations and other financial processes to make sure the operational requirements of the Care Inspectorate are met.
- Ensuring financial transactions are properly recorded.
- Developing financial management reports within the financial management system.
Reconciliations and ledger control:
- Reviewing suspense and control account reconciliations monthly.
- Ensure all month and year end procedures are performed within the timescales agreed with the Senior Accountant.
- Leading on the financial management of specific grant funded projects.
- Managing cashflow and banking arrangements for the Care Inspectorate.
- Prepare monthly grant in aid claims.
Annual accounts:
- Assisting in the production of the Care Inspectorate and OSCR’’s annual statutory accounts. This includes liaising with finance staff, budget holders and auditors, and ensuring all working papers are prepared to a high standard.
- Review monthly analysis to ensure information is accurate for our statutory accounts.
Other tasks:
- Prepare draft reports to Senior Managers and Committee.
- Providing financial training and ongoing support to non-finance staff.
- Developing procedures to ensure the integrity and accuracy of financial data.
- Maintaining and developing finance systems and processes including undertaking process improvement and LEAN reviews.
- Preparing or reviewing statutory returns, as required.
- Preparation and submission of quarterly VAT returns.
- Participation in Best Value reviews, including reporting on the findings.
- Supporting the maintenance and development of the financial system.
- Working in partnership with managers and key stakeholders to jointly develop finance plans necessary to support their operational plans.
- Support the Senior Accountant to risk assess applications to register services to ensure that services understand their responsibilities and are financially resourced to establish, maintain and improve service provision.
- Keeping up to date with developments in financial regulations/legislation and best practice, sharing knowledge across the team to ensure continuous development and improvements in the service offered.
- Actively contributing to the wider aims, workload and objectives of the finance function, ensuring that they are consistent with best practice and ensuring the provision of a sound finance service across the Care Inspectorate.
People management:
- Lead, manage and provide professional advice to the Finance Officers.
- Support, develop and coach direct reports through regular 1-1 supervision and appraisal and lead on consistent, high-quality practice amongst staff and support development.
- Promote a positive and inclusive working environment which supports continuous professional development.
- Manage the Finance Officers, reviewing work, prioritising and managing workload. Carry out training and development, recruitment and absence management.
- Promote the health, safety and welfare of employees, with responsibility for ensuring that the Care Inspectorate health and safety policies, procedures and practice and legislative requirements are met across the team.
- Carry out your duties in accordance with our Health and Safety policies, procedures, guidance, practices and legislative requirements, taking reasonable care for your safety and that of others who may be affected by what you do or fail to do while at work.
- Promote diversity, equality of opportunity, fairness, dignity and trust, ensuring that these principles are upheld across all areas of service delivery.
Relationship management:
- Model corporate behaviour and demonstrate commitment to organisation values.
- Develop and maintain constructive and co-operative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective and efficient directorate support.
- Promote the principles of collaborative working throughout the organisation and in all working practices in accordance with the Partnership Agreements with the trade unions.
- Ensure effective working protocols in accordance with the Care Inspectorate’s Communications, Human Resources, Finance, IT and Operations function.
- Project a professional image for the Care Inspectorate when dealing with colleagues and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the Care Inspectorate’s aims, vision and values and to the Care Inspectorate’s overall objective of improving care in Scotland.
Other duties
This job profile is a broad picture of the post at the date of preparation. It is not an exhaustive list of all possible duties, and it is recognised that jobs change and evolve over time. Consequently, the post holder will be required to carry out any other duties to the equivalent level that are necessary to fulfil the purpose of the job, and to respond positively to changing business needs.
Job profile
Job title: Improvement Adviser (digital social care)
Reporting to: Senior Improvement adviser (digital social care)
Principal working contacts
Internal:
- Senior Improvement adviser (Digital social care)
- Quality Improvement Manager
- Quality Improvement Support Team
- Health and Social Care Improvement Team
- Involvement and Equalities Team
- Scrutiny and Assurance Directorate
- External / Internal Communication Teams
- OWD team
External:
- Portfolio director, Scottish Government digital health and care directorate
- Care providers, care service staff and those experiencing care and their carers
- Other regulatory, scrutiny and improvement bodies
- NHS boards, staff and agencies, local authorities, Health and Social Care partnerships, and integrated joint boards
- Other sector organisations including Scottish Care, CCPS, SSSC, SHFA, SWA, COSLA, Digital Office and others
- Members of the public and other stakeholders
Job purpose
The post holder will work alongside the Senior Improvement Adviser (Digital social care), as part of the Scottish Government’s digital social care programme. The role also forms part of the Care Inspectorate’s Quality Improvement Support Team (QIST).
The post holder will use quality improvement (QI) methodology and develop the improvement support role in line with the Care Inspectorates Improvement Strategy and the national Digital Health and Care Strategy and Delivery Plan.
Key responsibilities
- To work alongside the senior improvement adviser (Digital) on a range of activities as agreed with the Care Inspectorate and Scottish Government’s digital health and care directorate.
- To contribute to the generation of knowledge and shared learning on technology and digital in social care through publications, networks, and engagement activities.
- To collaborate with other sector-based digital leads on projects that support the delivery of the social care portfolio within the digital heath and care directorate.
- Leadership and representation of the Care Inspectorate externally in the area of technology and digital in social care.
- Working internally with the Care Inspectorate to support embedding of technology and digital solutions for social care.
- Improve the use of digital in social care through a programme which supports the Care Inspectorate’s scrutiny and inspection processes.
- Input and support to the deliverables of the social care programme within the Scottish Government’s digital health and care directorate.
- Leadership and support on key areas related to technology in social care through publication, organisation and attendance at key relevant events.
- Identification of key priorities for technology and digital for the social care sector through engagement and network activities with colleagues and stakeholders.
- Partnerships and collaborative opportunities to further embed and enhance the contribution of the technology and digital in social care at local and national level.
Quality improvement
- Support the implementation of the Care Inspectorate’s improvement Strategy, the and the Scottish Governments Digital Health and Care Strategy and Delivery Plan.
- Lead and advise on quality improvement methodology and tools, design, and delivery of quality improvement projects / programmes.
- Supporting internal/external stakeholders with data collection, analysis, and interpretation to ensure a measurement framework is in place to support successful implementation and demonstrate reliable, sustainable improvements.
- Sharing good and effective practice in the use of technology across health and social care and establish mechanisms to spread and sustain improvement.
- Provide advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders on quality improvement including leading or participating in groups related to the work of the Care Inspectorate and the digital social care programme.
- Provide leadership and direction to develop quality improvement support resources for use by sector colleagues and care services.
- Provide leadership, direction and support on developing quality improvement pathways in relation to the use of digital technologies to support personalised care.
- Further expand opportunities ongoing training and development on quality improvement methodology and continue to build the capacity and capability of the Care sector workforce through a strategic approach with partners.
Relationship management
- Working in partnership with the Senior Improvement Adviser (Digital Social Care) and the Scottish Government’s digital social care portfolio team on a range of projects aimed at improving outcomes for people through the use of technology.
- Cross collaboration with a range of key sector organisations.
- Advise, support and work alongside the Senior Improvement Adviser (Digital social care) and the Scottish Government digital social care portfolio lead to identify and commission specialist support for quality improvement in care services.
- Work with Care inspectorate colleagues, social care staff and technology professionals to test, measure and report on the impact of technology solutions in social care.
- Engage with key partners to identify themes and trends which will direct future improvement support in digital social care.
- Advise and support the Improvement Support section, digital social care team and colleagues to improve practice directly with providers and partnerships, through sharing evidence from research, quality improvement methods and expert advice to update practice and improve care.
- Monitor, evaluate and report on all key areas and tasks advising on progress and challenges regularly.
- Work with the Senior Improvement Adviser (Digital social care), Quality Improvement Support Team and Scottish Government’s digital social care team to facilitate a comprehensive approach to relationship management between the Care Inspectorate and various parts of the health and social care sector.
Other duties
This job profile is a broad picture of the post at the date of preparation. It is not an exhaustive list of all possible duties, and it is recognised that jobs change and evolve over time. Consequently, the post holder will be required to carry out any other duties to the equivalent level that are necessary to fulfil the purpose of the job, and to respond positively to changing business needs.
Job profile
Job title: Business Support Assistant
Responsible to: Business Support Officer
Principle working contacts
- Business Support Officer
- Managers and employees of the Care Inspectorate
- External agencies/service providers/service users and carers
- Members of the public
Job purpose
To provide comprehensive business support to various functions within the organisation as well as general office administration support within individual offices, in line with Care Inspectorate policies and procedures.
Key accountabilities
Operational management:
- Provide business support to Care Inspectorate operational staff ensuring a high level of security and confidentiality within the office.
- Prepare information/correspondence in a clear and concise manner ensuring accuracy and compliance with Care Inspectorate’s style.
- Undertake specialist activities, in accordance with procedures or instructions, to support the effectiveness of the various functions and the Care Inspectorate as a whole.
- Prepare all letters, correspondence and any information relating to the work of Care Inspectorate using the Care Inspectorate’s ICT systems.
- Input, update and extract information from the Care Inspectorate’s ICT systems and/or manual records as required.
- Provide general office business support as required as part of the office team. This may include:
- Reception cover
- Stationery management
- Booking travel/accommodation
- Recording/submitting travel and subsistence claims
- Supporting room booking system in relation to setting out rooms.
- Carry out your duties in accordance with our Health and Safety policies, procedures, guidance, practices and legislative requirements, taking responsible care for your safety and that of others who may be affected by what you do or fail to do while at work.
Relationship management:
- Ensure effective communication of Care Inspectorate’s work with people who use care services, carers, relatives and advocates.
- Ensure effective working protocols in accordance with Care Inspectorate’s Communications, Human Resources, Finance, ICT and Operations function.
- Demonstrate a commitment to Care Inspectorate’s aims, vision and values and to Care Inspectorate’s overall objective of improving care in Scotland.
Other duties
This job profile is a broad picture of the post at the date of preparation. It is not an exhaustive list of all possible duties, and it is recognised that jobs change and evolve over time. Consequently, the post holder will be required to carry out any other duties to the equivalent level that are necessary to fulfil the purpose of the job, and to respond positively to changing business needs.
Subcategories
Inspector - Early Learning and Childcare (ELC)
The early learning and childcare expansion…
Role: Inspector - Early Learning and Childcare (ELC)
Location: Forth Valley, Borders, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, Edinburgh & Glasgow
Salary: £31,083 - £39,069 plus excellent benefits
Hours: 140 hours to be worked over a 4-week period
Contract: Permanent or 2-year secondment (would be considered)
Join us and make a difference – for you, for everyone
It’s our job to ensure care for everyone, everywhere in Scotland is as good as it can be. If you are as passionate about high-quality care as we are, and you’re experienced in your field, we’d love to hear from you.
About us
As a national scrutiny body that supports improvement. We inspect care services and partnerships across Scotland, report on the quality of care people experience, and support improvements in services to facilitate improvements in outcomes for people.
We inspect care services individually. We also work with other scrutiny bodies to inspect the social care and social work services people are experiencing in local areas.
We champion high-quality care whenever we encounter it across the thousands of inspections, we carry out each year, and we work closely with all care providers to support them to improve all the time. We collaborate with other organisations too, supporting improvement across public services. Our work plays a big role in reducing health and social inequalities between people and communities.
We are looking for talented people to join us in making a difference - specialists who understand how to put people’s needs, rights and choices at the heart of delivering social services – and how to lead improvement too. Our 600 staff work with services across the public, voluntary and private sectors. We have offices across Scotland and many of our staff work from home.
About you
Whether early or established in your career, you will share our determination that care, social work and justice services should work well for people – every time. You’ll be confident about what good-quality care looks like and how to deliver it. You’ll be good at analysing information and evidence. You will have excellent writing skills for narrative inspection reports that are clear, concise and focused on outcomes. You will be confident in working with a wide range of people and at supporting and advising on improvement.
You’ll currently be working, or have significant experience in, social care, social work, health, children’s services, early learning, child protection, or community learning and development. You will be registered or eligible to register with a professional body like the SSSC, NMC or GTC.
About the role
Our care inspectors work with care services: childminders, nurseries, care homes, care at home, housing support and a host of other specialist services. A specialist in your field, you may have helped lead a service and have a strong track record in delivering quality. You’ll be adept at leading improvement and influencing others. You will work with people experiencing care, and care service providers, managers and staff.
Why join us?
We strive to be a great employer, knowing that competitive salary, leave and pension schemes are only part of that. We pride ourselves on the values we hold, person-centred; fairness; respect; efficiency and integrity - all supported with a culture of care and kindness.
We believe in collective leadership and innovation. You’ll have a lot of autonomy to manage your own work and use the professional skills you’ve honed during your career – but in new ways. Starting on day one, our learning and development support will help you become confident in the craft of scrutiny and in supporting improvement. Because a lot of your role is about sharing effective practice across Scotland, the impact you can have on experiences and outcomes for people is significant. You will draw on management and leadership skills you’ve developed in the past.
We’re proud to be a progressive, supportive employer – we’re happy to talk about flexible working with you and we’re members of the Disability Confident Scheme, aiming to make the most of the talents disabled people can bring to the workplace.
New appointments will normally be placed on the minimum grade for the role; a higher starting salary may be offered in exceptional circumstances only.
ELC expansion
The Scottish Government is committed to expanding the provision of funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) from 600 hours to 1140 hours per year by 2020. The expansion of ELC is aimed to support the reduction in the poverty-related attainment gap and improve long term outcomes for children and families.
Due to the ELC expansion programme we are looking for 7 further ELC Inspectors in addition to the “business as usual” Inspector campaign launched recently.
Principles and aims
The priority for the expansion to 1140 hours is to improve children's outcomes and close the poverty-related attainment gap. In addition, the expansion aims to support parents into work, study or training. The Scottish Government's four principles of the ELC expansion are: quality, flexibility, affordability, and accessibility.
The Scottish Government has stated that quality is 'at the heart' of the expansion and that achieving a high-quality ELC experience for children is a key objective.
Use and provision
A 2018 survey found that the main reason why parents use funded ELC is that they consider it beneficial for their child's learning and development. In addition, parents reported using the funded hours to either work, increase the number of hours they work, or look for work.
Funded ELC in Scotland is delivered by a wide range of providers including nurseries, crèches and playgroups, from across the public, private and third sectors. A small number of childminders also deliver funded ELC, but the Scottish Government hopes this number will increase under the expansion to 1140 hours.
Criteria to apply
- We require you to hold a relevant qualification (minimum SCQF Level 9), register with either the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) or any other relevant professional body and undertake PVG checks.
- You must also be prepared to do a Professional Development Award in Scrutiny and Improvement (Social Services) at SCQF level 10 with appropriate support from the organisation.
- You will have a minimum of three years recent and demonstrable management experience in a relevant field. You must also be willing to travel with overnight stays as required.
Before you apply
- Please contact the relevant body directly to resolve any queries you have regarding registration or eligible qualifications for registration (SSSC, NMC and so on) before submitting your application.
- For an informal chat about the job role, please contact (Who?) You or Kim Connolly, Team Manager on 07766133161
- For all other queries, please contact Human Resources at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
To apply
- If you are interested, please see the minimum criteria to apply as an Inspector and the specific guidance and directions to apply. Thereafter, click on the gateway questions link to apply.
- Your completed application form (campaign number C39 only forms) and equal opportunities form should be returned to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.no later than Monday, 14 October 2019 at 8.00am.
- We anticipate that selection days will take place in the week commencing Monday, 18 November 2019.