Managing Director - Ofsted

iCare24 Group; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading children's services organization is seeking a Managing Director responsible for strategic leadership and safeguarding across Ofsted-registered services. This role involves overseeing service development, compliance with regulations, and providing strong leadership to Registered Managers. The ideal candidate will possess significant experience in Ofsted-regulated services and a commitment to high-quality care. Competitive compensation and benefits offered, along with opportunities for professional development in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Competitive salary

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in Ofsted-regulated children's services.
• Direct experience with Ofsted inspections and compliance actions.
• Proven track record of improving services and achieving outstanding inspection outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the organisation’s vision, strategy and business plan.
• Ensure all services are aligned with the organisation’s values.
• Take overall accountability for safeguarding and protection of children.

Skills

Leadership and management skills

Strategic thinking

Decision-making ability

Safeguarding knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Relevant Level 5+ qualification in Leadership & Management, Social Care or Education

Job description

The Managing Director & Ofsted Responsible Individual holds overall strategic, operational and regulatory responsibility for Ofsted-registered services.

They are accountable to the Board for :

• The quality, safety and outcomes of care / education provided
• Compliance with all relevant legislation and Ofsted regulations
• Strong, values-led leadership of Registered Managers and senior staff
• Sustainable growth and financial performance of the service

This role combines commercial leadership with regulatory and safeguarding accountability .

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Direction

• Develop and deliver the organisation’s vision, strategy and business plan for Ofsted-registered services.
• Lead on service development, growth and improvement while maintaining compliance and quality.
• Ensure all services are aligned with the organisation’s values, ethos and therapeutic / educational model.
• Report regularly to the Board on performance, risk, quality, safeguarding and regulatory matters.

2. Ofsted “Responsible Individual” Duties

• Fulfil all statutory duties of the Responsible Individual under relevant Ofsted regulations and guidance.
• Provide effective oversight of each Ofsted-registered service, including regular visits, reviews and challenge.
• Ensure each home / service has a suitably qualified, experienced and effective Registered Manager in place.
• Review and sign off Regulation 45 / 46 reports (or equivalent) and ensure timely, robust action plans.
• Lead on responding to Ofsted inspections, requirements, compliance actions and enforcement activity.
• Maintain a constructive professional relationship with Ofsted, local authorities, commissioners and other regulators.

3. Quality, Safeguarding & Compliance

• Take overall accountability for safeguarding and protection of children / young people within the services, ensuring policies and practice are robust and consistently followed.
• Ensure services meet or exceed the relevant Quality Standards, Children’s Homes Regulations, KCSIE and all other statutory guidance (adapt if education / fostering / etc).
• Oversee implementation of effective quality assurance systems, audits and monitoring frameworks.
• Ensure learning from incidents, complaints, feedback and audits is embedded into practice.
• Chair or oversee safeguarding, risk and quality governance forums as required.

4. Leadership of Registered Managers & Senior Team

• Line-manage and develop Registered Managers / Heads of Service, providing clear direction, support and accountability.
• Model strong, ethical leadership and a culture of high expectations and psychological safety.
• Ensure managers are trained, supported and supervised to deliver high-quality, compliant services.
• Lead regular management meetings focused on performance, quality, risk, staffing and culture.

5. People, Culture & Workforce

• Oversee workforce planning to ensure services are safely staffed with skilled, values-driven people.
• Work closely with HR / People teams on recruitment, retention, induction, development and performance management.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, reflective practice and learning.
• Ensure staff have access to appropriate training, supervision and wellbeing support.

6. Financial & Commercial Management

• Take P&L responsibility for Ofsted-regulated services, ensuring financial sustainability and value for money.
• Set and monitor budgets, ensuring resources are used effectively and ethically.
• Contribute to fee negotiations and commissioning discussions with local authorities and partners.
• Identify opportunities for growth, service development and new registrations, subject to safe capacity.

7. Stakeholder & External Relationships

• Build and maintain strong relationships with Ofsted, local authorities, commissioners, schools, health partners and other stakeholders.
• Represent the organisation professionally at external meetings, panels and inspections.
• Promote the organisation’s reputation for safe, high-quality care and positive outcomes.
• Ensure effective communication with families, advocates and other professionals around each child / young person.

8. Governance, Risk & Reporting

• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of relevant legislation, guidance and best practice.
• Ensure robust risk management and escalation processes are in place.
• Provide clear, honest and regular reports to the Board on performance, risk, incidents, safeguarding and inspection outcomes.
• Ensure all mandatory notifications are submitted accurately and on time.

Person Specification

Essential Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience in Ofsted-regulated children’s services (e.g. children’s homes, residential special schools, fostering, education).
• Direct experience of working with Ofsted inspections, compliance actions and improvement plans.
• Proven track record of leading teams, improving services and achieving good / outstanding inspection outcomes.
• Experience of managing budgets, financial performance and commercial decision-making.

Essential Knowledge & Skills

• In-depth knowledge of :
• Children’s Homes (England) Regulations and Quality Standards / relevant regulatory framework
• Ofsted inspection framework and Responsible Individual expectations
• Safeguarding, child protection and safer recruitment
• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making ability.
• Excellent leadership, coaching and people management skills.
• Confident communicator – written and verbal – with professional presence at Board and regulator level.
• Able to balance quality, safety, regulatory compliance and commercial realities without compromising children’s welfare.

Qualifications (adapt to your setting)

• Relevant Level 5+ qualification in Leadership & Management, Social Care, Education or equivalent.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development in safeguarding, leadership and regulatory practice.
• Enhanced DBS check (and update service where applicable).

Personal Attributes

• Uncompromising commitment to the safety, rights and wellbeing of children and young people.
• Calm, credible and decisive under pressure, especially during inspections, crises or serious incidents.
• High integrity; willing to challenge poor practice at any level, including Board.
• Values-driven leader who walks the talk, not just writes policies.
• Resilient, reflective and open to feedback and learning.