Job Title: Assistant Director of Quality and Safety Reporting Relationship: Reports to the Director of Quality & Safety. Works closely with the CEO, Senior Management Team, and Service Managers. Remuneration: €65,000 - €70,000 Location of Post Talbot Group Services, Stamullen, Co. Meath. Informal Enquiries Louise Grimes, Director of Quality & Safety Email: Deadline for receipt of applications: 29/05/2026 Details of Service For many years the Talbot Group has been providing residential services for adults and children who have an Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Acquired Brain Injury and who may also have mental health difficulties, together with other complex needs. The Talbot Group also provides residential respite services for adults and children, and Day Services. Services are provided at a variety of locations located in Dublin, Kildare Meath, Louth and Cavan. In line with our Vision, Mission and Values Talbot Groups commitment is to deliver Exceptional quality person centered care We have adopted an ethos of continuous quality improvement. Quality improvement in the Talbot Group is about enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities who receive services and support from us. Our Human rights-based approach is underpinned by the HIQA FREDA principles of Fairness, Respect, Equity, Dignity and Autonomy. We want each of our residents and service users to have goals and ambitions for their lives and we will support them in the attainment of their goals. Purpose of the Post The Assistant Director of Quality & Safety supports the Director of Quality & Safety in the operational delivery of the Quality and Safety function, promoting a strong culture of quality, safety, and continuous improvement across the service. The role provides leadership and governance across care provision, resident safety, health and safety, and corporate risk management. Key responsibilities include incident and complaints management, quality assurance oversight, internal and external audit activity, statutory reporting under the Patient Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Act 2023, and ensuring ongoing regulatory compliance. Principal Duties and Responsibilities Governance and Accountability Lead, advise, and manage the development and implementation of Quality and Safety management function in Talbot Group services. Incident Management & Reporting Coordinate incident reporting and review processes, including serious incidents, safeguarding events, staff accidents and dangerous occurrences. Ensure investigations are robust, reports are clearly written and actions are tracked and Management Oversee complaints management systems ensuring alignment with HIQA standards and patient safety legislation. Analyse complaints trends ensuring appropriate escalation, contribute to governance reports and ensure service improvement actions are implemented. Risk Management Support maintenance and review of centre and organisational risk registers consistent with HSE Integrated Risk Management Policy (2023). Analyse risk trends and contribute to assurance reporting on risk controls and mitigation. Health & Safety Support the Safety Management System in compliance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. Coordinate reporting and investigation of accidents and near misses, support risk assessments, audits and preparation of health & safety reports. Ensure all relevant health and safety management documentation, registers, statements, policy and procedures are kept up to date. Ensure a safe work environment in co-operation with the Director of Quality & Safety Governance Reporting Prepare high-quality quality, risk, patient safety and health & safety reports for senior management, Board and other committees, inspectors and regulators demonstrating compliance, learning and continuous improvement. Maintain a repository of organisational learning from safety incidents, and risk management, and disseminate learning to enable mitigation of future risk. Provide advice and support on all aspects of risk and incident management Education and Training Facilitate the design, development and delivery of training programmes required to assist compliance and continuous quality improvement. Facilitate audit training programmes to ensure robust clinical governance is in place in effective quality and resident safety training methodologies. Facilitate the provision of training in areas of quality and safety as required e.g. Open Disclosure, Risk Management, Incident Management, Policy and Procedure Development Quality Improvement Identify and support Quality Improvement priorities for Talbot Group services and build capacity for quality improvement. Develop and oversee targeted improvement initiatives with line managers which will result in the delivery of better and safer care. Support the development and monitoring of improvement strategies to address service area underperformance in relation to quality and safety. Building & Maintaining Relationships and Communication Take lead responsibility for cultivating effective relationships and advancing integration with colleagues within the Talbot Group and the wider health and social care community. Support processes for advocacy / service user involvement and mechanisms for reporting on this engagement. Create a positive team environment which contributes to maintaining and enhancing effective working relationships and effective communications. General Comply with the Mission Statement and Values of the Talbot Group. Create and promote healthy working relationships. Conduct all assignments and communications in a professional, efficient and confidential manner. Foster and develop a spirit of teamwork and participate in team-building activities. Maintain a high standard of work performance, attendance, appearance and punctuality. Adhere to the Groups strategies, plans, policies, practices and procedures. The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office. Eligibility Criteria Qualifications and/ or experience Candidates must have at the latest date of application: 1.An academic award in Quality / Safety/ Risk Management at level 7 (or higher) on the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) framework or equivalent or currently studying for same OR A professional qualification at Level 7 or higher in a health related discipline/area AND 2.Significant experience of working in the health services in a post that has involved quality and safety management as relevant to this role 3.Have experience of Incident and Risk Management processes 4.Experience of leading and implementing Quality Improvement initiatives within a care setting 5.Experience of changing organisational culture regarding Quality and Safety through the delivery of education and training 6.Experience of Team Leadership and collaborative working with multiple stakeholders Health A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. Character Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character Other requirements specific to the post Access to transport as post will involve travel Skills, competencies and/or knowledge Professional Knowledge Demonstrate knowledge/experience of quality improvement, safety assurance, risk management, and regulatory compliance functions in a health or social care setting Demonstrate knowledge/experience of the Incident Management and Systems Analysis processes Health Care Audit and other assurance mechanisms for quality and resident safety Planning & Organising Demonstrate excellent organisational and time management skills to meet objectives within agreed timeframes and achieve quality results Demonstrate evidence of effective planning and organisational skills including an awareness of resource management and the importance of value for money Demonstrate the ability to improve efficiency within the working environment and the ability to evolve and adapt to a rapid changing environment. Demonstrate the ability to work to tight deadlines and operate effectively with multiple competing priorities A capacity to operate successfully in a challenging operational environment while adhering to quality standards. Evaluating Information and Decision Making: Display excellent analytical skills to enable analysis, interpretation of data and data extraction from multiple data sources Demonstrate the ability to evaluate complex information from a variety of sources and make effective decisions. Demonstrate effective problem solving. Significant experience in effective operational problem solving utilising an inclusive approach which fosters learning and self-reliance amongst teams. Leadership & Teamwork Demonstrate capacity for management responsibility and demonstration of initiative. Demonstrate teamwork skills including the ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team environment. Demonstrate motivation and an innovative approach to the job within a changing working environment. Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability. Demonstrate leadership skills and the capacity to inspire teams to the confident delivery of excellent services. Demonstrate ability to support, supervise, develop and empower staff in changing work practises in a challenging environment within existing resources. Leading a Quality Service: A client/user focus in the delivery of services. A core belief in and passion for the sustainable delivery of high quality user focused services. A commitment to community development principles and practices Communication & Interpersonal Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills including excellent presentation skills Demonstrate negotiation/influencing skills Demonstrate the ability to interact in a professional manner with other Mental Health staff and other key stakeholders. This job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned. Skills: Health & Safety communication team work