Responsible Individual - Specialist Solo Children's Home

Job Role: Responsible Individual – Specialist Solo Children's Home Location: Nottingham Salary: £60,000 – £65,000 per annum (dependent on experience) Contract: Permanent, Full-Time

Role Overview:

We are recruiting an experienced and highly credible Responsible Individual to provide strategic leadership, governance and oversight for a new specialist solo children's home in Nottingham. This unique service will support one young person at a time with highly complex emotional, behavioural and safeguarding needs. Staffing levels may operate at up to 3:1 support, depending on assessed risks, presenting behaviours and care requirements.

As the Responsible Individual, you will hold overall responsibility for ensuring the home operates safely, effectively and in full compliance with Children's Homes Regulations, Quality Standards and Ofsted requirements. Working closely with the Registered Manager, senior leadership team and external stakeholders, you will provide robust oversight and challenge, ensuring the highest standards of care, safeguarding and service delivery are maintained. This is not a role suited to someone stepping into senior oversight for the first time. We are seeking an experienced children's residential leader with a strong track record of supporting Registered Managers, overseeing complex placements and driving high-quality services that achieve positive outcomes for children and young people.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Governance

Act as the Responsible Individual in accordance with the Children's Homes Regulations. Provide strategic oversight and accountability for the safe and effective operation of the home. Support, challenge and hold the Registered Manager accountable for service performance and regulatory compliance. Ensure the home operates in line with the Statement of Purpose and organisational values. Promote a culture of excellence, continuous improvement and child-centred practice. Provide leadership during Ofsted inspections and regulatory reviews. Quality Assurance & Regulatory Compliance

Ensure full compliance with: Children's Homes Regulations Quality Standards Ofsted requirements Safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance Oversee quality assurance frameworks, audits and monitoring systems. Review safeguarding incidents, complaints, risk assessments and operational performance. Ensure effective action planning and service improvements are implemented where required. Drive and maintain Good or Outstanding Ofsted outcomes. Safeguarding & Risk Management

Maintain strategic oversight of safeguarding practice across the service. Review and scrutinise complex care planning, risk assessments and behaviour support strategies. Ensure any court-approved restrictions or specialist care arrangements are implemented lawfully, proportionately and in the least restrictive way possible. Monitor placement stability and the effectiveness of intervention strategies. Ensure robust systems are in place to protect children and young people from harm. Leadership & Management Support

Provide guidance, support and professional challenge to the Registered Manager and leadership team. Support recruitment, retention and development of high-performing residential teams. Promote reflective practice, accountability and professional development. Ensure staffing structures, resources and support arrangements remain appropriate to the needs of the young person. Support succession planning and workforce development initiatives. Stakeholder & Commissioner Engagement

Build and maintain strong relationships with: Local Authorities Commissioners Social Workers Ofsted Clinical Teams Education Providers Therapeutic Professionals Represent the organisation at strategic meetings, reviews and multi-agency forums. Support positive partnership working to secure the best possible outcomes for young people. Service Development & Registration

Support the registration, mobilisation and ongoing development of the service. Work alongside operational leaders to ensure successful service delivery from inception. Contribute to future service growth and development opportunities. Ensure all operational systems, policies and procedures remain effective and compliant. Essential Criteria:

Significant senior leadership experience within Children's Residential Care. Previous experience as a: Responsible Individual Operations Manager Regional Manager Head of Care Senior Operations Leader within Children's Residential Services Proven track record of overseeing Registered Managers and residential services. Strong experience supporting highly complex placements involving significant emotional, behavioural and safeguarding needs. Excellent knowledge of: Children's Homes Regulations Quality Standards Ofsted inspection frameworks Safeguarding legislation and best practice Experience leading quality assurance, governance and compliance activities. Experience working effectively with commissioners, local authorities and multi-disciplinary professionals. Ability to challenge, support and develop leadership teams to achieve high standards. Full UK driving licence. Desirable Criteria:

Previous Responsible Individual experience. Experience registering and mobilising new children's homes. Experience overseeing solo homes or specialist services. Experience managing services supporting young people with complex trauma and behavioural needs. Therapeutic, trauma-informed or attachment-based practice knowledge. Experience working alongside clinical and psychological services.

Qualifications

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent). Relevant safeguarding and leadership qualifications. Evidence of ongoing professional development within children's services. Additional Information:

Oversight of a new specialist solo children's home supporting one young person at a time. Staffing ratios may operate at up to 3:1 depending on assessed needs and risks. Extensive experience within children's residential leadership is essential. Enhanced DBS and all relevant safeguarding checks required. Opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping, developing and governing a highly specialist service from its inception. How to Apply For more information or to apply for the Responsible Individual – Specialist Solo Children's Home role, please contact: Robert Rowe (phone number removed) (url removed)