About this role
Job summary
Are you a passionate and experienced clinical leader ready to make a lasting impact on the quality and safety of services for women, babies, children and young people?
West and North London Integrated Care Board is seeking an exceptional Head of Quality for Maternity, Neonates, Children and Young People (CYP) to provide strategic leadership and expert oversight of quality, patient safety and clinical effectiveness across commissioned services. This is a rare opportunity to influence care at system level, improve outcomes for local communities, and drive meaningful change across one of the most diverse health systems in the country.
Main duties of the job
This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of maternity, neonatal and children's services across West and North London, working alongside dedicated clinical and operational leaders to improve outcomes for some of our most vulnerable populations. You will be part of an organisation committed to collaboration, innovation, quality improvement, and population health, where your expertise can make a real difference.
Join us and help deliver safer, better and more equitable care for babies, children, young people and families across West and North London.
About us
We are NHS West and North London. We are the main commissioning NHS organisation for planning and funding health services across our area. Our job is simple: to help people stay healthy and to make sure everyone can get good care when they need it.
We bring together many health and care services across west and north London. This means we help hospitals, GPs, community services, councils and charities work better together for local people.
NHS West and North London (WNL) serves over 4.5 million people and covers 13 London boroughs. (Barnet, Brent, Camden, Ealing, Enfield, Hammersmith & Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster)
What we do
We plan and fund local health and care services We support GPs, hospitals, mental health teams, community clinics and pharmacies. We work with councils and community groups so care is joined-up and easy to use. We listen to local people and use their ideas to improve services. We want health and care to be fair, simple and close to home. Our strategy
Reducing inequalities Investing strategically to prevent ill health Better supporting people with the greatest needs, so everyone stays well Make care more local and easier to access Empowered local people that feel more confident about their health and wellbeing
Job description Job responsibilities
For full job description please see attached JD
We are looking for a highly credible and influential senior leader who can build strong partnerships and inspire improvement across complex organisations.
You will have:
Current registration as a Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
A master's degree or equivalent senior-level experience in a health-related field.
Significant experience leading quality, patient safety, governance or clinical standards programmes at senior level within the NHS.
A strong understanding of Integrated Care Boards, Integrated Care Systems, commissioning and the wider healthcare landscape.
Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders, lead change and drive measurable improvements in service quality and patient outcomes.
A commitment to reducing inequalities, promoting inclusion and ensuring the voices of patients, families and communities inform decision-making.
The post is expected to be advertised for 2 weeks, with interviews provisionally planned for the w/c on 12th October 2026, subject to the outcome of the recruitment process.
Person Specification
Education/ Knowledge and Qualifications Essential
Registered Midwife, with current professional registration with the NMC. Educated to master's level in a health-related subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level. Postgraduate Management qualification or equivalent experience. Evidence of continuing professional develop.
Desirable
Quality improvement qualification. Project Management Qualification (PRINCE2, MSP, APM or equivalent).
Experience Essential
Significant understanding of the ICB and ICS in relation to quality, patient safety and patient experience. Considerable understanding of the background to and the aims of current healthcare policy in London and appreciate the implications of this on engagement in relation to quality and patient safety. An appreciation of the relationship between NHS England, the ICB and in relation to commissioning and oversight responsibilities. Proven ability to influence a range of stakeholders and demonstrable commitment to partnership working and delivery with a range of external organisations. Previous experience of leading clinical governance patient safety or standards work (i.e. Leadership on complaints, risk management, clinical audit, serious incidents) at a senior level with demonstrable improvements in provision. xperience of successfully delivering approaches to improve and embed quality in providers within a partnership environment. Experience of carrying out a leadership role in clinical commissioning with acute provider(s). Experience improving provider safety in specific areas through a variety of commissioning activities. Proven ability to influence a range of stakeholders and demonstrable commitment to partnership working and delivery with a range of external organisations. Experience of designing systems to support quality governance and experience in shaping policy and setting improve provider service delivery. 1 1 objectives aligned to wider NHS and strategic objectives.
Desirable
Commissioning experience. Experience improving provider safety in specific areas through a variety of commissioning activities. Experience of acting on feedback healthcare providers to improve provider service delivery.
Skills, & Abilities Essential
Understanding of NHS and ICB finance and funding models. Demonstrable commitment to and focus on quality, promotes high standards to consistently improve patient outcomes. Uses evidence to make improvements, seeks out innovation. In-depth understanding of the NHS, Integrated Care System, NHS 10 Year Health Plan and the statutory duties of the ICB. Self-awareness in terms of emotional intelligence, biases and personal triggers with cultural sensitivity and awareness
Communication Essential
Proficient in the use of Microsoft software. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, able to influence and persuade others at all levels within and across the organisation, articulating a balanced view and able to constructively question information from others. Ability to provide and receive, convey and present complex, sensitive and/or contentious nformation to large groups, responding openly to questions to ensure full understanding and engagement and develop a range of options. Self-awareness in terms of emotional intelligence, biases and personal triggers with cultural sensitivity and awareness. Proficient presentation skills & able to adapt presentation skills to different audiences. Ability to forge and maintain strong collaborative relationships.
Effort factors Essential
Manage long periods of intense concentration requiring in-depth mental and meticulous attention to detail, often with frequent interruption when preparing reports and presentations Actively engage and participate at meetings with internal and external stakeholders. Priorities and deadlines may change with little notice, ability to work in a pace faced environment is required. Manage disciplinary processes, manage poor performance, conduct and capability. Occasionally, may have to impart difficult and/or distressing information.
Values and Behaviours Essential
Commitment to the values and principles of system working across within WNL ICB. Promote equality, diversity and inclusion within all areas of responsibility. Team player.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name West and North London ICB
Address Marylebone Road
London
NW1 5JD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.westandnorthlondon.icb.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)