Job profile and person specification
Job title: Improvement Adviser
Job location: flexible (any Care Inspectorate office)
Responsible to: Senior Improvement Adviser/Quality Improvement Manager
Job purpose
Working with the Senior Improvement Adviser, as part of the Quality Improvement Support Team (QIST), the post holder will develop and embed quality improvement methodology within the Care Inspectorate and externally with providers of social care organisations. This will be in line with the Quality Improvement and Participation Strategy, the yearly Quality Improvement Plan and collective and individual workplan priorities, which support improved outcomes for people experiencing care and services commissioned by community planning partnerships.
The post holder will provide internal and external professional leadership and expert consultancy on all aspects of quality improvement, developing and maintaining networks of specialist quality improvement advice and knowledge with access to specific subject matter expertise.
Principal working contacts
Internal
• Senior Improvement Adviser
• Quality Improvement Support Team Manager
• Head of Quality Improvement Support & Participation
• Quality Improvement Support Team
• Chief Inspectors, Service Managers, Team Managers and Inspectors
• Policy Team
• Participation and Equalities Team
• Internal and External Communications Team
• Organisational and Workforce 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, and integrated joint boards, Health and Social Care Partnerships
• Members of the public and other stakeholders
Key accountabilities
• To link into the Care Inspectorate’s, Quality Improvement and Participation Strategy and Quality Improvement Support Team (QIST) to advise and upskill staff on quality improvement methodology, quality improvement science, quality improvement tools and delivery of improvement support across the organisation and directorates and externally in the care sector.
• To develop quality improvement support resources and materials for use by inspectors and in care services and support further development and implementation of national strategies and initiatives using the Model for Improvement. For example, in areas such as falls prevention and management, Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) and Children and Young People (CYP), Adult Services and others as required.
• To be an active member of the team that deliver the Care Home Improvement Programme (CHIP).
• To develop and maintain the relationships with improvement bodies to co-create developments in quality improvement support relevant to social care, sharing effective practice and avoiding unnecessary duplication of effort for the benefits of people experiencing social care services.
• To provide expert advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders on quality improvement including participating in expert groups related to the work of the Care Inspectorate.
• To ensure that internal and external quality improvement support advice is sector specific.
• To develop effective quality improvement support interventions and materials for use by inspectors and care services.
• To ensure that lessons learned in the wider health and social care arena that avoid harm and improve outcomes for people are learned.
• To keep up to date with current research and share evidence from research, quality improvement methodologies and expert advice with providers and partnerships in order to improve practice and achieve good outcomes for people experiencing care.
• To analyse data to identify trends that may have an impact on the outcome for people experiencing care to focus quality improvement support activity.
• To contribute to delivering the Care Inspectorate’s Corporate Plan.
• To carry out any other reasonable tasks necessary to support the Care Inspectorate’s business.
Relationship management
• Work with the Senior Improvement Adviser, QIST Manager and senior managers to develop and facilitate a comprehensive approach to relationship management between the Care Inspectorate and various parts of the Health and Social Care sectors. Ensure effective communication of the Care Inspectorate’s quality improvement support offer 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.
• 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.
Other duties
This is not a contractual document. We will expect the post holder 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.
This job may require extensive travel and involve overnight stays.
Attributes
We will use these attributes to recruit the role.
Experience
Essential:
• Experience of developing, delivering and evaluating Quality Improvement work.
• Experience of developing and delivering learning to a variety of staff groups and care providers.
• Significant experience of successfully leading innovation across health and social care.
Desirable:
• Research experience
• Experience of working in or supporting Quality Improvement in Social Care
Education, qualifications and training
Essential:
• Qualifications or skills and experience at SCQF level 9 (e.g. degree, graduate diploma).
• NES Scottish Improvement Leader (ScIL) or equivalent qualification in QI science / methodology or willingness to work toward this as a priority.
• Commitment to own CPD.
Skills and knowledge
Essential:
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an emphasis on support, negotiation, influence and diplomacy.
• Ability to network and work together with key health and social care professionals in areas including Scottish Government, health boards, integration joint boards, health and social care partnerships and service providers in the statutory, independent and voluntary sector.
• Understanding of the importance of the involvement of people experiencing care in the co-design and co-production of quality improvement initiatives
• Knowledge and experience in quality improvement in health and/ or social care
• Knowledgeable and skilled at using appropriate improvement approaches
• Good understanding of the social and political environment in which care services are provided to achieve change.
• Self-motivation, confidence and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• IT literate with the ability to analyse and interpret complex information.
Desirable:
• Evidence of involvement and impact in work at a Scotland wide level including membership of national working groups.
• Knowledge and experience of social care quality improvement.
Key performance outcomes
We will use these key performance outcomes to recruit for the role.
Quality improvement focus
Essential:
• Have a proven track record in leading and/or supporting quality improvement projects/programmes and evaluating their impact.
• Demonstrate an understanding of national quality improvement work across Scotland.
Desirable:
• Research active.
• Policy development.
Planning and organising
Essential:
• Evidence of ability to prioritise effectively and achieve deadlines.
• Ability to amend approaches in reaction to changing priorities, circumstances and conflicting demands.
• Demonstrates analytical and systematic approach to problem solving.
• Demonstrates initiative, drive and determination to complete tasks and achieve objectives.
• Work is self-generated, planned and prioritised, identifying key issues, anticipating problems and initiating appropriate action to resolve them.
• Able to work autonomously and independently.
Impact and influence
Essential:
• Demonstrates ability to influence at all levels.
• Ability to achieve results through relationships, negotiation, persuasion, and influence.
• Ability to give credible and realistic advice, based on relevant, up to date and verifiable information
• Ability to lead change and bring people with you
Effective communication
Essential:
• Excellent oral, public speaking / presentation, and written communication skills.
• Ability to support service providers to define, measure and achieve outcomes
• Ability to write clear reports and guidance documents.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the emphasis on support, negotiation, influence, and diplomacy.
• Experience in devising and delivering development sessions
Desirable:
• Experience of speaking/presenting to small and large groups of people at all levels
Working in partnership
Essential:
• Work nationally and locally with a range of stakeholders
• Experience in working with others to devise and deliver development sessions
• Ability to lead or participate in multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working groups.
• Ability to work co-operatively to achieve success
Improvement adviser
Job title: Improvement Adviser
Salary: £51,699 - £57,174 (increasing to £53,511 - £59,178 from 1 April 2026)
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: flexible (any Care Inspectorate office)
Contract: temporary for 8 months maternity cover
Closing date: 08:00 on Thursday 19 March 2026
About us
We are a scrutiny body that supports improvement. That means we look at the quality of care in Scotland to ensure it meets high standards. We are responsible for providing assurance and protection for people who experience care services, their families, carers and the wider public. Our vision is that people across Scotland experience high-quality care that meets their needs, rights and choices.
Our values
1. Person-centred: we put people, empathy, compassion, and kindness at the heart of everything we do
2. Respect: we value everyone's dignity and are respectful in everything we do
3. Equity: we embrace diversity and nurture an inclusive environment where everyone is supported to achieve equal outcomes
4. Integrity: we act impartially, fairly, and consistently, upholding transparency and accountability in all our actions
5. Impact: we focus on making a positive impact for everyone experiencing care in Scotland whilst ensuring our work delivers the best value to the public
Work-life balance
Our desire is to achieve an effective and balanced way of working, which enables us to meet organisational needs and achieve a work-life balance that promotes wellbeing and collaboration opportunities. Our hybrid working policy gives you the flexibility to mix working from home with attendance at your base office and other work locations, spending no more than 60% of your working time working from home, measured over a four-week period.
About the role
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Improvement Advisor (IA) to join the Quality Improvement Support Team (QIST) on a temporary basis.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, creative and highly motivated individual to support, develop and deliver our improvement interventions in line with, and to support the implementation of our Quality Improvement and Participation Strategy.
The successful candidate will also be involved in supporting the building of quality improvement capacity and capability, internally and externally. They will also provide quality improvement support as required and will be part of ongoing quality improvement as priorities are identified.
You will find more information in the job profile and person specification.
About you
The ideal candidate will possess a recognised qualification in quality improvement methodology at SCQF level 9 (e.g. degree, graduate diploma). and have a good level of experience and a proven track record in leading quality improvement projects/programmes and evaluating their impact.
The person will also have experience of providing quality improvement learning and development to a variety of staff groups and care providers.
Demonstrable interpersonal skills including public speaking, the ability to network with key professionals, are essential, as are excellent verbal and written communication and organisational skills.
Starting salary
New employees start at the minimum salary for the grade. However, we offer a generous benefits package.
Next steps
If you would like more information or an informal chat about the role, please contact Aidan McCrory, Quality Improvement Manager at
If you believe that your skills, experience and motivation make you a suitable candidate for this post, please complete our online application form by 08:00 on Thursday 19 March 2026.
We anticipate holding interviews on 15 or 16 April 2026 at our Atlantic Quay, Glasgow office.
Business support assistant – corporate support
Role: business support assistant – corporate support
Salary: £25,545 - £28,260 (increasing to £26,442 – £29,250 from 1 April 2026)
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: Dundee HQ
Contract: permanent
Closing date: 08:00 on Tuesday 3 March 2026
Job profile and person specification
About us
We are a scrutiny body that supports improvement. That means we look at the quality of care in Scotland to ensure it meets high standards. We are responsible for providing assurance and protection for people who experience care services, their families, carers and the wider public. Our vision is that people across Scotland experience high-quality care that meets their needs, rights and choices.
Our values
1. Person-centred: we put people, empathy, compassion, and kindness at the heart of everything we do
2. Respect: we value everyone's dignity and are respectful in everything we do
3. Equity: we embrace diversity and nurture an inclusive environment where everyone is supported to achieve equal outcomes
4. Integrity: we act impartially, fairly, and consistently, upholding transparency and accountability in all our actions
5. Impact: we focus on making a positive impact for everyone experiencing care in Scotland whilst ensuring our work delivers the best value to the public
Work-life balance
Our desire is to achieve an effective and balanced way of working, which enables us to meet organisational needs and achieve a work-life balance that promotes wellbeing and collaboration opportunities. Our hybrid working policy gives you the flexibility to mix working from home with attendance at your base office and other work locations, spending no more than 60% of your working time working from home, measured over a four-week period.
About the role
We are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity to work as part of the corporate support team at our headquarters in Dundee where you will provide comprehensive business support as part of the Corporate Services Directorate. Duties will be varied and include the provision of administrative support to heads of service and corporate teams across the organisation as well as general office support such as reception cover, purchase order processing and stationery control.
You will find more information in the job profile and person specification.
About you
We are looking for organised individuals who have good attention to detail, are customer-focused and enjoy working in a busy environment and within supportive teams. You will have a positive attitude and be keen to develop your skills and take on new challenges.
Successful candidates will demonstrate experience and a successful record of accomplishment within a similar role and be educated to SCQF level 5.
The successful individuals will have:
- a good working knowledge of Microsoft packages to include O365, Outlook; MS Forms; Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- a flexible, positive approach to work and accommodate changing business needs
- ability to prioritise conflicting demands and meet deadlines
- ability to forward plan and anticipate any operational difficulties
- excellent organisational skills
- ability to use initiative and prioritise own workload.
In addition, it would be desirable that you have experience of working with a range of external and internal contacts at various levels of an organisation and within an office environment.
Starting salary
New employees start at the minimum salary for the grade. However, we offer a generous benefits package.
Next steps
If you would like more information or an informal chat about the role, please contact the recruitment team at
If you believe that your skills, experience and motivation make you a suitable candidate for this post, please complete our online application form by 08:00 on Tuesday 3 March 2026.
We anticipate holding interviews on Monday 16 March 2025 at our Dundee office.
Read moreExecutive Director of Corporate Services
Job title: Executive Director of Corporate Services
Salary: £103,227
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: flexible (any Care Inspectorate office)
Contract: permanent
Closing date: 08:00 on Monday 16 February 2026
About us
We are a scrutiny body that supports improvement. That means we look at the quality of care in Scotland to ensure it meets high standards. We are responsible for providing assurance and protection for people who experience care services, their families, carers and the wider public. Our vision is that people across Scotland experience high-quality care that meets their needs, rights and choices.
Our values
1. Person-centred: we put people, empathy, compassion, and kindness at the heart of everything we do
2. Respect: we value everyone's dignity and are respectful in everything we do
3. Equity: we embrace diversity and nurture an inclusive environment where everyone is supported to achieve equal outcomes
4. Integrity: we act impartially, fairly, and consistently, upholding transparency and accountability in all our actions
5. Impact: we focus on making a positive impact for everyone experiencing care in Scotland whilst ensuring our work delivers the best value to the public
Work-life balance
Our desire is to achieve an effective and balanced way of working, which enables us to meet organisational needs and achieve a work-life balance that promotes wellbeing and collaboration opportunities. Our hybrid working policy gives you the flexibility to mix working from home with attendance at your base office and other work locations, spending no more than 60% of your working time working from home, measured over a four-week period.
About the role
As the executive director of corporate services, you will take overall responsibility for the leadership, direction, development and delivery of a cohesive corporate support service for the Care Inspectorate. This includes finance, human resources, organisational workforce development, payroll, corporate governance, legal, operational facilities/environmental management, health and safety, procurement, business support and customer services.
You will advise the chief executive and the Care Inspectorate Board on the implementation and development of policy, strategy, procedures and practice within these areas and ensure that corporate governance standards are upheld.
Working with the chief executive and as a member of the executive team you will provide visible leadership to consolidate excellence in all aspects of our work.
Working collaboratively, you will support the achievement of our cultural aspirations and ensure continued investment in our skilled and confident workforce.
About you
You will be a solutions-focused and forward-thinking leader with proven experience of managing diverse multidisciplinary teams and significant budgets. You will be an accomplished communicator, able to build and maintain strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
You will find more information in the job pack.
Starting salary
New employees start at the minimum salary for the grade. However, we offer a generous benefits package.
Next steps
If you would like more information or an informal chat about the role, please contact Douglas Adam at
Recruitment process
The search and selection process of this assignment is being managed by our advising consultants, Livingston James.
Livingston James will conduct initial conversations prior to discussing candidates with the Care Inspectorate at the shortlist meeting.
Interested candidates should provide a tailored CV and covering letter, outlining their interest and suitability, to Douglas and Kirsty (
Recruitment timetable
Closing date for applications: 08:00 on Monday 16 February 2026
Shortlist meeting (Livingston James and the Care Inspectorate): Friday 6 March 2026
Final assessment and interview: Wednesday 18 March 2026
Read moreJob profile and person specification
Job title: Information Governance Assistant
Job location: flexible (any Care Inspectorate office)
Responsible to: Information Governance Coordinator
Job purpose
To support the Information Governance team in line with Care Inspectorate policies and procedures to uphold best practice and assist the Information Governance & Compliance Manager in governance related projects to ensure that governance, records management and information laws are embedded throughout the Care Inspectorate in order that it complies with legislation.
This job description is a broad picture of the post at the date of preparation. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, and we recognise that jobs change and evolve over time.
Principal working contacts
- Information Governance & Compliance Manager and Team
- Senior Managers, Team Managers and employees of the Care Inspectorate;
- Intelligence Team
- Media & Comms
- CI Enquiries
- OWD
- IT
- External agencies – SSSC, OSCR, DWP, Police Scotland, NMC, Disclosure Scotland, other Public Authorities, Scottish Government etc.
- External contracted organisations
- Service providers
- Members of the public
Key accountabilities
Operational management
Provide business support to the Information Governance team, complying with relevant organisational and local policy with a basic understanding of data protection and FOISA legislation:
- IG Meeting and diary arrangements
- Providing the secretariat for IG team and meetings
- monitoring the IG inbox
- creating and disseminating management reports to IT Team for review
- logging and recording Information Governance enquiries.
Process and respond to general enquiries:
- responding to requests for advice from CI colleagues
- gathering, reviewing and redacting material required for requests for information such as for NMC investigations, Police Scotland investigations, SSSC fitness to practice investigations
- managing the central provision of care service information (for all service types) in the form of care service lists to public authorities, Child Minding Association and the CHIS
Process and respond to statutory requests:
- requesting and scheduling material to support statutory
- compiling information relating to statutory requests and applying redactions
- drafting responses to less complex requests
• 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 Information Governance team 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.
• Support hard copy records management processes.
• Record and flag up data breaches for review by IG Team, handling low-level breaches
• Contribute to and support the planning and delivery of key IG projects.
• Keep abreast of key issues affecting organisational development within the Care Inspectorate and in the social care sector as a whole.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with Managers, employees, representatives of external agencies and the general public as appropriate.
• 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 you may come into contact with.
• 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 is not a contractual document. We will expect the post holder 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.
Attributes
We will use these attributes to recruit the role.
Experience
Essential:
• Demonstrate a successful track record within a similar role with experience in using autonomy and initiative through managing their own workload and using their expertise in FOISA to identify requests and respond to them within the statutory period.
Desirable:
• Experience of working with external/internal contacts at all levels.
• Experience of working within the social care sector.
Education, qualifications and training
Essential
• Educated to SCQF level 6 (Higher grade level) and have/or be willing to work towards the FOISA Practitioner certificate.
Skills and knowledge
Essential:
• Good working knowledge of IT to include word, excel and powerpoint.
• Excellent telephone and customer service skills.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative and prioritisation of workload.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
Key performance outcomes
We will use these key performance outcomes to recruit for the role.
Effective communication
Essential:
• Portrays a positive image of the Care Inspectorate when communicating both inside the organisation and externally.
• Selects appropriate communication, style and methods depending on the needs and abilities of the audience.
• Listens actively to people, questions and checks understanding.
Planning and organising
Essential:
• Uses a systematic approach to make efficient use of time and manage workload.
• Recognises the need to be flexible in order to meet changing priorities.
• Prioritises work effectively to meet deadlines and objectives.
Flexibility
Essential:
• Demonstrates a flexible, positive approach to work.
• Listens to feedback and ideas from people and will take appropriate and considered action.
• Adapts well to change, adjusting priorities as required.
• Understands where a flexible approach is required.
Team working
Essential:
• Remains 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.
• Works co-operatively and supportively with others.
Personal Accountability and Responsibility
Essential:
• Takes responsibility for decisions and actions taken.
• Maintains a high standard of work and actively seeks out continuous improvement.
• Demonstrates initiative within own area of expertise.
• Takes responsibility for identifying and addressing areas of personal and professional development.