Joint Head of Clinical Audit and Observations
6 days ago
Birmingham
Are you a health professional with experience of Work Capability Assessments (WCA) and Personal Independent Payment (PIP) health assessments and auditing assessment reports against agreed assessment criteria? Would you love the opportunity to join a team committed to the successful delivery of specialist services for some of the most vulnerable customers in the UK? DWP are looking for a health professional to fill the role of Joint Head of Clinical Audit and Observations, in Contract Management and Partner Delivery Directorate (CMPD) Controls and Assurance Division (CAD). CAD is responsible for the controls environment for DWPs suite of nationally contracted health assessment and employment support contracts working to ensure these contracts deliver value for money and protect the public purse, and great customer service. The successful candidate will: - • Be an active member of the CMPD senior leadership community, communicating a clear and compelling vision to teams, partners and suppliers, supporting delivery of CMPD and DWP aims and objectives and role modelling a culture that strives for excellence., • Provide inspirational and visible leadership to a large team of health professionals, including DWP employees, secondees and contracted Health Care Professionals (HCPs), whilst actively promoting diversity and inclusion, and supporting staff health and wellbeing., • Directly manage a team of PIP or WCA Lead Auditors supporting them to deliver a programme of Clinical audit and Clinical observations., • Work with the Joint Head of Clinical Audit and Observations to develop and oversee the delivery of a clinical continuous professional development programme for Controls and Assurance Division (CAD) Health Professionals in order develop highly skilled Health Professionals and to ensure maintenance of registration with relevant accreditation bodies., • Use robust knowledge and understanding of PIP and or WCA Health Assessments to provide expert clinical advice to support team members and wider DWP stakeholders., • To maintain, develop and champion effective controls for DWPs health assessment contracts including managing the delivery of audits and ensuring appropriate feedback is given to the Assessment suppliers with a keen focus on quality and delivery., • Effectively work in partnership with other DWP teams and support a matrix management model to ensure the effective delivery of Clinical Observations., • Develop and maintain robust processes to support the quality and consistency of clinical audits to support high standards of clinical practice., • Embed the DWP Clinical Governance Quality and Standards to continuously improve the quality and consistency of the clinical audits delivered by CAD.Person specification Working Pattern This is a full time post, but applications are also welcome from those with alternative working patterns. Working patterns will be discussed on an individual basis, but successful applicants may need to be flexible and/or be prepared to consider alternative working patterns where required to meet with Finance Groups operating hours from 8am to 6pm. Essential Key Criteria: Lead Criteria 1 • High level of clinical confidence with extensive experience of undertaking PIP assessments, auditing assessments and quality assuring audit against agreed criteria with aproven ability to build, lead and inspire high performing teams with a supportive, open and engaging leadership style and a track record of prioritising staff wellbeing and promoting diversity and inclusion., • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to provide clear and unambiguous feedback (verbally and in writing), justifying sound clinical judgement in potentially challenging situations., • Up to date professional body registration with no conditions on registration unless they relate solely to a disability, and evidence of up-to-date continuous professional development. Medical applicants must hold a licence to practise., • Strong interpersonal skills and experience of building highly effective, trusting relationships and working collaboratively with senior leaders (internal and external), using relationships and networks to influence and deliver efficient and effective services for the organisation. Memberships Recognised Health Governing body (e.g. GMC, NMC etc.) Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: • Leadership, • Seeing the Big Picture, • Making Effective Decisions, • Communicating and Influencing, • Changing and Improving Benefits Alongside your salary of 79,272, Department for Work and Pensions contributes 22,965 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. For this role your indemnity and professional regulation fees are also covered. DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes: • Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours., • Generous annual leave at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (prorata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave., • Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme., • Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly)., • Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 years continuous service., • Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes., • An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Womens Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience. CV The CV is an on-line tool accessed through the Civil Service Jobsite and there is no requirement to upload your personal CV. Our CV element is short, and allows an initial check of eligibility, Only include relevant experience to the role within the CV section please put the main content of your evidence and skills in your Personal Statement. Personal statement When completing your personal statement, please read and understand the Key Criteria thoroughly as this is what your written evidence will be assessed against. Your layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc. You may choose to address each criteria separately, however, one narrative example may cover and evidence several key criteria. You may not be able to meet all the key criteria, but please ensure you evidence: the key personal requirements and what have you done that relates to the requirements. You dont have to explain the whole process, just what you have done and the skills and experience you have used. Share with us what makes you suited to this role and why, what you can do and the skills you have that are transferable to the key requirements, and the life experience or passion you have that are linked to this role. Written Sift The written sift will be conducted using evidence from your CV and Personal Statement and will be assessed against the Key Criteria within the advert. Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead criteria annotated below. If your application proceeds to full sift all criteria will be considered. Lead Criteria 1 • Evidence of at least 5 years clinical experience as an approved Health Professional post registration, with current registration validated and up to date Continuous Professional Development. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. Your CV will only be considered for applications that progress to job offer and will assist the vacancy holders in matching skills to suitable opportunities/locations. It will not form part of the sifting process or be scored. Interview: Applicants meeting the agreed minimum standard will be interviewed using the blended approach. The interview panel will be a minimum of two people. The interview will assess: Behaviours and Strengths,Theinterview aims to be more of a conversation exploring the candidates capability for the role. Candidates will be asked further probing questions to determine suitability for the role. Sift and Interview dates to be confirmed. Postings: Successful candidates will be posted in merit order based on your location preferences and the geographical requirements of the business. If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards You will be asked for your preferences for up to 2 locations, these will tell us where you would prefer to work if you are successful. Please do not select a location unless you are prepared to accept a role in that location. Selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles here . Selection We will notify all candidates as soon as possible. Successful candidates will be posted in merit order based on your location preferences, where appropriate, and the geographical requirements of the business. Dependent on your position on the merit list, if none of your location preferences remain at the point we make a job offer, DWP may offer you a role at an alternative advertised location. If we are unable to offer you a role in any of your preferred locations, and you are unable to accept a role at an alternative advertised location, we will add you to the reserve list if one is being held. The roles available will be based in Blackpool Peel Park, Brunel Way, Blackpool FY4 5ES Birmingham 3 Arena Central, Bridge Street, Birmingham B1 2AX Glasgow Atlantic Quay, Glasgow G2 8SP. Leeds Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UA. Manchester 2 St Peters Square, Manchester, M2 3AA. Newcastle Benton Park View, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE98 1BA. (Please note: that for candidates requesting to work in Newcastle, this role will be based at Benton Park View from September 2025, and then at 1 Pilgrim Place in Newcastle city centre by the end of 2027) Sheffield Hartshead Square, Sheffield, S1 2FD. Some travel may be required. A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve list candidates will be posted in merit order by location. Further Information Find out more about Working for DWP Any move to DWP from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website . If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out. In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Disclosure Scotland on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing stating the job reference number in the subject heading. For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email . Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. For these vacancies, we strongly recommend that applicants consult with an immigration specialist or qualified advisor to assess their eligibility for Visa Sponsorship before deciding to apply. Please note that while we consider sponsorship requests in accordance with current DWP guidance and Home Office policy, sponsorship cannot be guaranteed. The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action. Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing. New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. Reasonable Adjustment At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce. We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service via as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. Complete the Reasonable Adjustments section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional. If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. Feedback Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: • UK nationals, • nationals of the Republic of Ireland, • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK, • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window), • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS), • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020, • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window) . The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) . Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window) . Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commissions Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DWP by email: . If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Click here to visit the Civil Service Commission. Attachments DWP CMPD Candidate Pack (New) Opens in new window (pdf, 779kB) DWP Terms and Conditions January 2024 Opens in new window (docx, 17kB) Success-Profiles-Candidate-Overview-Accessble-Version Opens in new window (docx, 67kB)