Job Introduction
About Us
Oxfordshire County Council has a clear and ambitious vision: a greener, fairer and healthier Oxfordshire where everyone has the opportunity to live well. Our Strategic Plan sets out how we work with residents and partners to reduce inequalities, improve health and wellbeing, and deliver meaningful public value.
The Council’s Health, Education and Social Care (HESC) joint commissioning function uses the Oxfordshire Way to bring this vison to life; a strengths‑based, community‑focused approach; to design, purchase and oversee safe, effective and person‑centered services across all life stages.
The Quality Improvement (QI) Team plays a central role in this model. We monitor quality and performance, use data and market insight to target support, and work collaboratively with providers and partners to drive sustained improvements for people who draw on services.
Our work is guided by the Council’s values: Always learning; Be kind and caring; Equality and integrity; Taking responsibility; and Daring to do it differently.
About the Role
Fixed-term contract for 2 years
We're looking for a Quality Improvement Officer to join our Start Well Quality Improvement Team.
This role has been created as part of wider investment in children's services, helping us maintain strong quality oversight and continue driving improvement across services for children, young people and families during a period of service transformation.
As a Quality Improvement Officer, you'll work across a diverse range of commissioned services and providers, helping to ensure services are safe, effective and achieving positive outcomes.
You'll build strong relationships, use data and intelligence to identify risks and opportunities, and support providers to continuously improve.
Our team works alongside providers to understand what's happening on the ground, celebrate good practice and provide constructive challenge where improvements are needed. You'll be expected to ask questions, analyse evidence, solve problems and support meaningful change.
No two days are the same. You could be reviewing performance data, responding to safeguarding or quality concerns, supporting service improvement, visiting providers, helping mobilise a new contract or providing advice and challenge to providers and partners.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys getting to the root of issues, navigating complexity and having confident conversations that help services improve.
Your responsibilities will include:
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Monitoring quality, performance and compliance across commissioned services
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Building positive relationships with providers and partners
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Identifying risks and supporting improvement activity
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Responding to quality concerns, complaints and safeguarding issues
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Using data and insight to inform decision-making
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Producing reports, recommendations and briefings
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Supporting service mobilisation and continuous improvement
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Sharing learning and good practice across the sector
The Quality Improvement Team is a small, supportive and collaborative team that values curiosity, professional challenge and continuous learning. This role offers valuable experience across quality assurance, safeguarding, provider oversight, commissioning, contract management, performance reporting and partnership working across education, health and care services.
If you enjoy problem-solving, influencing positive change and improving outcomes for children, young people and families, we'd love to hear from you.
About you
You may already have experience in quality assurance, commissioning, contract management, safeguarding, social care, education, health, operational management or service improvement.
More important than your job title is your ability to build relationships, analyse information, exercise good judgement and influence positive change.
You will be:
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Curious and motivated to understand how services work
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Confident communicating with a wide range of people and organisations
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Comfortable analysing information and making evidence-based recommendations
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Able to challenge constructively and professionally when needed
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Organised, resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment
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Committed to improving outcomes for children, young people and families
We're looking for someone with the right values, attitude and transferable skills who is keen to learn and develop as part of a supportive and experienced team.
Rewards and benefits
As part of the QI Team, you’ll join a supportive, inclusive and forward‑thinking group that values how we work as much as what we deliver. We offer flexible working arrangements, strong professional development opportunities and a clear sense of purpose.
You’ll also benefit from:
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Salary: £41,771–£45,091 (Grade 11)
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Hybrid and flexible working
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Excellent learning and development opportunities
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Technology to support agile working
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Employee Assistance Programme for health and wellbeing support
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Generous annual leave (up to 30 days plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave)
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Enhanced family‑friendly policies
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Local Government Pension Scheme (employer contributions up to 19.9%)
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Discounts – local and national offers for shopping and travel.
Ready to Apply?
If you are interested in this role, please submit your application by Sunday 30th August 2026
We encourage early applications and reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of suitable candidates are identified.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Candidates who are shortlisted will be invited to interview shortly thereafter, and we will communicate next steps as soon as possible.
For informal enquiries or further information about the role, please contact Erin Harker, Quality Improvement Service Manager, Start Well on [email protected]
Your office base may be subject to change as we are currently transitioning between temporary and permanent office locations due to the closure of County Hall. If this is applicable to you, you will be notified, but no reimbursement will apply in respect of travel.
Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Our commitment to:
Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Our commitment to:
Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
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