Responsible Individual

Post Title: Responsible Individual Reports to: Managing Director Location: Multi-Site Hours of Work: 40 hours per week (flexibility required in accordance with organisational needs)

Main Purpose of the Role

❖ To act as the Ofsted-registered Responsible Individual for the Children’s Homes, ensuring all children’s homes under the organisation’s registration operate in full compliance with The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards. ❖ To provide strong, strategic, and values-driven leadership across the service, promoting excellence in safeguarding, care delivery, and regulatory compliance. ❖ To ensure that Registered Managers and operational teams are well-supported, monitored, and challenged to achieve and sustain high standards, ensuring outstanding outcomes for children and young people.

Line Management Responsibilities

• Direct line management of: o Registered Managers
• Responsible for ensuring: o Regulatory compliance and Ofsted inspection readiness o Leadership supervision and development of home managers o Oversight of safeguarding and quality assurance across services o High standards of care, safety, and governance across all children’s homes

Key Responsibilities

1. Organisational Leadership and Strategic Oversight

• Provide clear and effective leadership to ensure the organisation’s children’s homes operate safely and in accordance with legislation, regulation, and company policy.
• Embed the values, mission, and strategic priorities of the Children’s Homes across all operational areas.
• Promote a culture of transparency, learning, and continuous improvement.

1. Ofsted Registration and Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain registration with Ofsted as the Responsible Individual and ensure all homes consistently meet or exceed Quality Standards.
• Oversee and guide Registered Managers through Ofsted inspections, audits, and regulatory visits.
• Monitor organisational compliance with the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and relevant national guidance.

1. Safeguarding and Risk Management

• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the organisation, ensuring robust safeguarding systems are in place and adhered to.
• Lead or oversee serious safeguarding investigations, allegations, and referrals in line with LADO protocols.
• Promote a culture of safety, protection, and accountability across all services.

1. Management Supervision and Development

• Supervise, appraise, and mentor Registered Managers, ensuring high levels of leadership competence and regulatory knowledge.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and performance management processes for senior staff.
• Foster leadership development and succession planning across the organisation.

1. Quality Assurance and Service Improvement

• Lead on internal audits, quality assurance reviews, and performance monitoring across all homes.
• Analyse inspection outcomes, incident reports, and feedback to identify patterns and areas for development.
• Drive implementation of service improvements and innovation in care delivery.

1. Partnership Working and External Relations

• Act as the key point of contact for Ofsted, local authorities, commissioning teams, and safeguarding partnerships.
• Represent the organisation at strategic and operational forums, panels, and inspections.
• Support effective referral and placement management processes across services.

1. Governance and Organisational Support

• Provide accurate and timely reports to the Board and Senior Leadership Team regarding service performance, risk, and regulatory compliance.
• Contribute to strategic planning, policy development, and growth of the organisation.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of changes to legislation, policy, and best practice affecting looked-after children.

Special Requirements

• This is a multi-site leadership role and will require frequent travel between children’s homes and external meetings.
• Participation in the senior leadership on-call rota is required.

Person Specification

A. Education, Training & Qualifications

• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent)
• QCF Level 3 in Residential Childcare (or equivalent qualification)
• Registered Manager experience and eligibility for Responsible Individual registration with Ofsted
• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) training (or willingness to complete)

B. Experience

• Minimum 2 years of senior management experience within Ofsted-regulated children’s residential care
• Proven track record of managing or supporting Good or Outstanding rated homes
• Experience of working with children and young people with complex emotional and behavioural needs
• Familiarity with conducting audits, investigations, and dealing with safeguarding allegations
• Demonstrated leadership and development of high-performing teams

C. Skills and Abilities

• High-level communication, influencing, and conflict-resolution skills
• Strategic decision-making and crisis management capability
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and write reports
• Ability to coach, mentor, and inspire leadership in others
• Competence in multi-agency working, including with Ofsted, LAs, and safeguarding professionals

D. Knowledge and Understanding

• In-depth understanding of: o Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards o Safeguarding and child protection legislation and procedures o Ofsted frameworks, inspection process, and reporting expectations o Therapeutic care models and trauma-informed practice o Equal opportunities, data protection, and employment legislation
• Strong commitment to the companies vision, values, and standards of care