Head of Care & Quality Assurance

Location: Gloucestershire
Salary: £50,000 – £55,000 (pro rata)
Contract: Fixed Term (May 2026 – February 2027)

Juice Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a dynamic and forward-thinking care provider in Gloucestershire in the search for an experienced Head of Care & Quality Assurance to join the business on a maternity cover contract.

This organisation is committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care built around the eight principles of wellbeing. With a strong focus on culture, innovation and continuous improvement, they are seeking a strategic leader to drive standards and support their ambition to become an outstanding provider.

As Interim Head of Care & Quality Assurance, you will provide senior leadership across care and quality functions, ensuring excellence in service delivery, compliance and operational performance.

You will play a key role in shaping strategic direction, strengthening quality frameworks and supporting Registered Managers to deliver safe, effective and person-centred care across all services.

This is a highly visible leadership position requiring a confident, collaborative and commercially aware senior professional.

• Provide strategic leadership to Care and Quality Assurance teams, fostering a high-performing and accountable culture.
• Develop and implement quality assurance frameworks and strategic improvement plans.
• Oversee care delivery to ensure services consistently meet individual needs and regulatory standards.
• Line manage Registered Managers, Quality & Compliance Manager and Operational Support Manager.
• Monitor performance through audits, compliance reviews and service evaluations.
• Lead on continuous improvement initiatives, identifying areas for development and implementing robust action plans.
• Ensure full compliance with relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks, including CQC standards.
• Deliver training, coaching and leadership support to drive operational excellence.
• Support strategic growth plans and ensure quality standards remain embedded during expansion.
• Undertake site visits, including occasional out-of-hours reviews where required.

We are seeking an experienced senior leader within the social care sector who brings both strategic oversight and operational depth.

You will demonstrate:

• Proven senior management experience within a care organisation (supported living experience highly desirable).
• Extensive knowledge of relevant legislation, compliance and regulatory standards, including CQC.
• Strong experience managing quality and compliance processes.
• Experience line managing senior leaders and Registered Managers.
• Ability to drive service improvement and embed quality frameworks.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience operating within a fast-paced or high-growth environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or RGN/RMN qualification, with a minimum of five years in a similar leadership role.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

This role will suit a values-led leader who places care, integrity and high standards at the centre of everything they do.

• Competitive salary (£50,000 – £55,000 pro rata)
• 28 days holiday (including bank holidays), increasing with service
• Enhanced DBS provided
• Pension scheme
• Blue Light Card discounts
• Employee wellbeing scheme
• Flexible working options
• Ongoing professional development
• Free parking within Gloucestershire
• Supportive and collaborative culture

This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults with care and support needs. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.