Lead for Governance, Quality Assurance and Compliance(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

About the Role

Join Somerset NHS Foundation Trust as a Lead for Governance, Quality Assurance, and Compliance within our Maternity and Neonatal Services. This strategic leadership role is pivotal in ensuring that our perinatal services consistently meet national and local quality standards.

You will provide guidance and assurance on governance frameworks, risk management, and regulatory compliance while championing patient safety and quality improvement. This role involves close collaboration with senior leaders, clinicians, and governance teams, and requires influence across multidisciplinary teams to embed a culture of excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Oversee governance, quality assurance, and compliance across maternity and neonatal services.
• Ensure alignment with national standards such as CNST Maternity Incentive Scheme, Ockenden recommendations, and Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle.

Governance & Risk Management

• Develop and maintain integrated risk management frameworks.
• Oversee PSIRF (Patient Safety Incident Response Framework) processes and investigations.
• Ensure lessons are learned from incidents and embedded into practice.

Quality Improvement & Compliance

• Lead quality improvement projects across the service.
• Analyse data to identify improvement opportunities and report to relevant committees.
• Support CQC inspections and national maternity safety programmes.
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Build relationships with internal teams, commissioners, regulators, and quality networks.
• Represent the service at Trust, LMNS, and regional meetings.

Education & Team Leadership

• Line manage quality and safety teams.
• Promote learning, professional development, and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Provide governance training and support staff to adhere to regulatory standards.

Financial & Resource Oversight

• Manage budgets effectively and deliver efficiencies in line with Trust objectives.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential:

• Registered Nurse or Midwife
• Broad clinical experience relevant to maternity services
• Master’s level qualification

Desirable:

• Leadership qualification
• Experience

Essential:

• Leadership experience within maternity or neonatal quality and safety
• Thorough knowledge of NHS Resolution, Saving Babies’ Lives, and other regulatory frameworks
• Experience in clinical governance and management within maternity services
• Proven advanced leadership skills

Desirable:

• Experience in national maternity safety programmes and quality improvement initiatives

Additional Criteria

• Ability to travel to community units and off-site meetings
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion

Professional Requirements

• This post requires an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check: Gov.uk DBS
• Applicants requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome: UK Visas & Immigration – Skilled Worker
• Overseas applicants must provide criminal record certificates from countries they have resided in for 12+ months: Criminal Records Checks for Overseas Applicants
• Current UK professional registration is required: NHS Careers – Professional Registration
• Commitment to equality and diversity: NHS Equality & Diversity
• Knowledge and understanding of national maternity safety initiatives: Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle

About Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

We are dedicated to supporting our staff through:

• Flexible working options
• NHS Pension Scheme
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Career development and learning opportunities
• Blue Light Card benefits for shopping, dining, and leisure

Somerset offers the perfect blend of scenic countryside, vibrant cities such as Bristol, Bath, and Exeter nearby, and only two hours from London—ideal for career growth and lifestyle balance.