The Care Quality Commission has appointed James Bullion as interim chief inspector of adult social care and integrated care.

Bullion’s appointment comes after Kate Terroni moved to the interim role of deputy chief executive.

Bullion is currently executive director of adult social services (DASS) at Norfolk County Council, and a member of the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board. During his six years at Norfolk, he has overseen transformation of adult services with a focus on community development, strengthening social work and integrated services with NHS partners.

Bullion was previously president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) and  recently has been working for the Department of Health and Social Care on plans to ensure people can leave hospital when they are fit to do so.

He has also been working closely with CQC over the past year as ADASS’s representative to support the development of new assessments of local authorities.

His start date is still to be confirmed.

Terroni said: “It’s fantastic to have James join the team at the point we go live with our new powers to assess local authorities, as an experienced DASS and having been involved with the development of our approach.”

Bullion added: “I am delighted to be joining CQC at such an important time for the organisation, councils and people drawing on services as we strengthen the national assurance arrangements and reform social care. I am grateful to Norfolk for supporting this, and hope to bring my experience and understanding of being a DASS as well as my national work as ADASS past president and on social care discharge to the many talents in CQC.”