Responsible Individual

Responsible Individual – Children’s Residential Home

Salary: £400–£600 per day, depending on experience
Contract: Self-Employed / Consultancy
Commitment: Approximately 1–2 days per week initially
Location: [Location]

We are a new and ambitious children's residential care provider preparing to open our first children's home and are looking to appoint an experienced Responsible Individual (RI) to play a key role in the registration, development and ongoing governance of the service.

This is an opportunity to become involved at an early stage and work closely with the Directors and Registered Manager to establish a safe, well-led and high-quality home that delivers positive outcomes for children and young people.

As our Responsible Individual, you will provide senior-level oversight of the home, support the Ofsted registration process and help ensure the service operates in accordance with all relevant legislation, regulations and Quality Standards.

The position would suit an experienced Responsible Individual, Registered Manager or senior children's residential care professional who is looking for a flexible consultancy role and would like to contribute to the development of a new provider with longer-term growth plans.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the Responsible Individual for the children's home in accordance with Ofsted requirements.
• Support the provider and Registered Manager throughout the Ofsted registration process.
• Provide effective strategic oversight, challenge and governance of the service.
• Ensure the home operates in accordance with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, associated Quality Standards and relevant statutory guidance.
• Provide guidance and support to the Registered Manager while maintaining appropriate oversight and accountability.
• Monitor safeguarding arrangements and ensure the welfare of children and young people remains central to the service.
• Oversee quality assurance, compliance, policies and operational standards.
• Identify areas of risk or non-compliance and ensure appropriate action is taken.
• Support the development of the home's Statement of Purpose, policies, procedures and regulatory documentation where required.
• Help establish robust systems and processes ahead of opening.
• Support the service in preparing for Ofsted inspections and achieving strong regulatory outcomes.
• Promote a culture of safeguarding, continuous improvement and child-centred care.
• Provide advice to the Directors on regulatory requirements, service development and best practice.

About You

We are looking for someone with significant experience within Ofsted-regulated children's residential care and a strong understanding of the responsibilities associated with operating a children's home.

Ideally, you will have:

• Previous experience as a Responsible Individual, Registered Manager, Operations Manager or senior leader within children's residential care.
• Strong knowledge of Ofsted requirements and the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015.
• Detailed understanding of the Quality Standards applicable to children's homes.
• Excellent safeguarding knowledge and experience.
• Experience supporting children's homes through Ofsted registration and/or inspection.
• Strong leadership, governance and quality-assurance skills.
• The confidence to provide constructive challenge and professional guidance to both the Registered Manager and Directors.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• A Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare, or equivalent/relevant senior-level qualification, is desirable.
• A full UK driving licence is desirable.

Experience supporting the registration and opening of a new children's home would be particularly advantageous.

What's on Offer

• £400–£600 per day, depending on experience and suitability.
• Flexible self-employed/consultancy arrangement.
• Approximately 1–2 days per week initially, with flexibility around the needs of the service and registration process.
• Opportunity to be involved from the early stages of a brand-new children's home.
• Direct involvement with the Directors and Registered Manager.
• Opportunity to help shape the culture, systems and standards of the service from the outset.
• Potential to develop the relationship further as the organisation grows.

About the Provider

We are establishing a new children's residential care service with a clear focus on providing a safe, stable and supportive home where children and young people can achieve positive outcomes.

Our aim is not simply to meet regulatory requirements, but to develop a well-run, child-centred service with strong safeguarding, effective leadership and consistently high standards of care.

We have ambitions to grow over time, and the successful Responsible Individual will have the opportunity to play an important role in helping us establish strong foundations from the beginning

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