Care Quality Commission
Mental Health Inspectors - Midlands
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Mental Health Inspectors - Midlands
Mental Health Inspector – East Midlands (England) / West Midlands (England)
Location: East Midlands (England), West Midlands (England)
About the Role
As a Mental Health Inspector in the Operations directorate, you will be at the heart of improving mental health, learning disability, and substance misuse services. This role involves visiting services, speaking with staff, users, and partners to understand how care is delivered and identify areas for improvement. Your insights directly contribute to safeguarding people and driving better outcomes across safeguarding and mental health care.
Your key responsibilities include:
- Leading inspections when concerns have been raised, synthesising evidence to inform regulatory actions and protect people.
- Collaborating with regional partners and stakeholders to preempt and mitigate risks to service delivery.
Key Responsibilities
In this role, you will play a pivotal role in keeping people safe and services accountable. Day-to-day, you’ll:
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Carry out inspections and assessments
- Plan, coordinate, and lead on-site and off-site visits to assess the quality and safety of mental health services.
- Gather evidence, conduct interviews, and evaluate service delivery against regulatory standards.
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Manage risk and escalate concerns
- Review evidence from multiple sources to identify risks, concerns, and systemic issues.
- Recommend and manage proportionate regulatory actions (modalities, remediation plans, or enforcement measures) to ensure compliance and safety.
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Work with partners and share insight
- Collaborate with colleagues, service providers, and stakeholders to support continuous improvement.
- Use findings from assessments to drive culture change and enhance the experiences of people using services—particularly those who are detained.
Person Specification
Experience & Knowledge
You’ll need:
- Experience and insight in inpatient and/or community mental health, learning disability, and/or substance misuse services. Must include assessing quality, safety, or patient outcomes.
- In-depth knowledge of the Mental Health Act (MHA) / Mental Capacity Act (MCA), including relevant Codes of Practice.
- Analytical skills to evaluate complex information from diverse sources (data, reports, feedback, equipment).
- A strong commitment to the rights and safety of vulnerable individuals—particularly detained patients—and support ethical, high-quality care.
- Non-regulated qualifications are welcomed but not required where prior experience covers depth of skills.
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Skills & Attributes
- Ability to articulate findings clearly to diverse audiences (e.g., professionals, policymakers, service users).
- Strong investigation, verification, and examination skills for complex scenarios.
- Demonstrated ability to informally influence to create and sustain improvements in care environments.
- Sound judgement combined with adaptability in high-pressure situations.
Linked Benefits Package
We offer a wide range of perks to support your well-being and development:
- Leisure time
- Annual leave: 27 days per year, rising to 32.5 days after five years (plus 8+ statutory bank holidays).
- Professional growth
- Access to structured training and career progression opportunities.
- Supportive culture
- Wellbeing initiatives: including subsidised gym memberships, mental health resources, and meditation sessions.
- Flexible work arrangements to promote a healthier work/life balance.
- Pension
- Contributions to the NHS Pension Scheme (approx. 14% employer contribution).
- Additional perks
- Discount schemes: ( employers are unlikely to mandate costs)
- Eligibility for a Blue Light card (valid 2 years).
- Car leasing options.
- Reward vouchers and extensive travel discounts.
- Discount schemes: ( employers are unlikely to mandate costs)
- Additional benefits outlined in the Civil Service benefits guide (more details at the bottom of this application callback).
Selection & Security
Selection Process (TBC)
- Interviews/assessments seguente (feedback for applicants who progress).
Compliance & Vetting
All candidates will be required to undergo:
- A criminal record check through the Disclosure and Barring Service. (Whether this service is DBS or another internal background check is not provided)
Security checks include:
- Baseline personnel security standard clearance if accessing/handling sensitive/govenment-related assets at any stage. Further checks tightening could apply as outlined in Civil Service guidance.
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Eligibility & Diversity Commitment
Nationality Requirements
This role is open to:
- UK and Republic of Ireland nationals.
- Commonwealh citizens meeting UK residency conditions for working (eligible under Freedom of Movement policy).
- Includes EU, Swiss, EFTA citizens who either:
- Became eligible under the UK Settlement Scheme before Dec 31, 2020, OR
- Hold approved conditions wihond pre-settled status (EUSS) or indefinite leave to reside.
- Includes EU, Swiss, EFTA citizens who either:
- Turkish citizens with relevant residency rights acting under EU legislation provisions.
- Indefinite Leave to Remain holders unable to use EUSS.
- Special consideration for our Overseas territories including Falkland Islands or Northern Ireland residents – see full guidance.
Further detail on eligible passports available at gov.uk.
Diversity & Inclusion
The CQC (Care Quality Commission) as a civil service organisation is committed to diversity and promoting equal opportunities for all applicants.
- Disability/health considerations: Full consideration will be given to candidates meeting the minimum criteria if supported by reasonable adjustments. The Disability Confident Scheme may apply here.
- Civil Service: Whilst not commission-regulated, policy aligns with Civil Service diversity principles and the People Plan to widely engage talent.
Note: Candidates must meetBaseline grading and career progression based on non-negotiable qualifications/knowledge (including extended vetting where necessary).
Feeding Back to Applicants
Only interview/assessment invitees will receive personalised feedback.
Closing Notes
No internal list questions exist beyond candidate self-declaration and full 5-year progression alignment must be proven. This advertisement closes immediately following the application submission window.
For further queries, email the Recruitment Team.
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