Responsible Individual

IDEM Living; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Annual leave + bank holidays

Discounted or free food

Free parking

On-site parking

Referral programme

Sick pay

Job summary

IDEM Living is seeking an experienced Responsible Individual to lead the South West region across multiple children's homes. You will ensure safe, high-quality care and full Ofsted compliance while supporting and developing Registered Managers.

This senior role requires strategic oversight, safeguarding expertise, and the ability to drive continuous improvement across the portfolio. Travel across the South West and a strong commitment to outcomes for children are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience as Responsible Individual, Operations Manager, Regional Manager or senior leader in Children’s Residential Care.
• Extensive knowledge of Ofsted regulations and Children’s Homes Regulations 2015.
• Proven track record supporting Registered Managers.
• Excellent safeguarding knowledge and ability to drive improvement.
• Experience managing multiple services and improving outcomes.
• Strong leadership, coaching and QA capabilities.
• Ability to influence, support and challenge positively.
• Full UK Driving Licence and willingness to travel across the South West.
• Enhanced DBS or willingness to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight across multiple children’s homes.
• Complete Regulation 44 quality assurance visits monthly.
• Monitor safeguarding practices and governance arrangements.
• Support and mentor Registered Managers to achieve strong outcomes.
• Ensure ongoing Ofsted compliance and quality standards.
• Lead quality assurance and continuous improvement programmes.
• Prepare homes for Ofsted inspections and support inspection activity.
• Monitor performance via KPIs, audits and regulatory reporting.
• Oversee policies, procedures and safety recruitment processes.
• Manage significant incidents and provide senior leadership support.
• Promote a positive culture centred on children, families and staff.
• Travel across the South West as required.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Influencing

Quality assurance

Regulatory knowledge

Safeguarding knowledge

People management

Strategic overview

Job description

Responsible Individual (Children’s Residential Services) South West England

Location:South West (Axminster, Exeter, Taunton, Bridgwater & Topsham)

Job Type:Full Time | Permanent

Responsible Individual Jobs | Children’s Residential Care | South West

Idem Living has an ambitious, values-led, Children’s residential care service, looking to recruit an experiencedResponsible Individual (RI)for its growing portfolio of homes across the South-West.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an organisation that genuinely puts children and young people first. With four established Ofsted-registered homes in the South-West, and a fifth home opening in Topsham later this year, you’ll play a pivotal leadership role in ensuring the highest standards of care, safeguarding and regulatory compliance.

You’ll work alongside an experienced senior leadership team and Registered Managers who are passionate about creating safe, nurturing and therapeutic homes where children can thrive.

About the Organisation

We currently operates Children’s homes in:

• Exeter
• Bridgwater

with an additional home opening inTopshamlater this year.

Every home has an experienced Registered Manager in place and provides high-quality care for children and young people up to the age of 18.

The homes support children and young people with a range of needs including:

• Learning Disabilities
• Autism
• Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties
• Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)
• Complex Childhood Experiences

We are incredibly proud of the culture we have created and the exceptional commitment shown by every member of our teams.

The Role

As Responsible Individual, you’ll provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across the South-West region, ensuring every home consistently delivers safe, high-quality care while maintaining full compliance with Ofsted regulations.

You’ll support, coach and challenge Registered Managers whilst driving continuous improvement across the organisation.

This is a highly influential role where your leadership will directly improve outcomes for children and young people.

Key Responsibilities

As Responsible Individual, you will:

• Provide strategic oversight across multiple children’s homes.
• Complete monthly Regulation 44 quality assurance visits.
• Monitor safeguarding practices and governance arrangements.
• Support and mentor Registered Managers to achieve excellent outcomes.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with Ofsted regulations and Quality Standards.
• Lead quality assurance and continuous improvement programmes.
• Prepare homes for Ofsted inspections and support inspection activity.
• Monitor performance through KPIs, audits and compliance reporting.
• Oversee policies, procedures and regulatory frameworks.
• Ensure safer recruitment processes remain robust.
• Manage significant incidents and provide senior leadership support.
• Promote a positive culture centred around children, families and staff.

Supporting Growth

As we continue to expand, you’ll play a key role in:

• Embedding organisational values and culture.
• Maintaining consistency across all homes.
• Driving safeguarding excellence.
• Reducing operational risk.
• Supporting new home openings.
• Improving Ofsted outcomes.
• Building strong relationships with Local Authorities.
• Increasing occupancy through quality and reputation.
• Supporting staff wellbeing and retention.

About You

We’re looking for an experienced Children’s residential care leader who is passionate about improving the lives of young people.

You’ll ideally have:

• Experience as aResponsible Individual,Operations Manager,Regional Manageror senior leader within Children’s Residential Care.
• Extensive knowledge of Ofsted regulations and Children’s Homes Regulations 2015.
• A proven track record of supporting Registered Managers.
• Excellent safeguarding knowledge.
• Experience managing multiple services.
• Outstanding leadership and coaching skills.
• Strong quality assurance and compliance experience.
• The ability to influence, support and challenge positively.
• A genuine passion for achieving exceptional outcomes for children and young people.
• Significant experience within Children’s Residential Care.
• Strong understanding of Ofsted inspection frameworks.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Willingness to travel across the South West.
• Enhanced DBS (or willingness to obtain one).

What You’ll Receive

• Salary of£65,000 – £70,000+ Benefits
• Company pension.
• Annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Opportunity to shape a growing organisation.
• Supportive and experienced senior leadership team.
• The chance to genuinely improve the lives of vulnerable children and young people.

Why Apply?

This is much more than a compliance role.

You’ll be joining an organisation that believes every child deserves stability, opportunity and outstanding care. You’ll have the autonomy to influence standards, develop people, strengthen services and help shape the future of a growing provider with an excellent reputation.

If you’re an experienced Responsible Individual looking for your next challenge and want to work somewhere that truly values children, quality and people, we’d love to hear from you.

IND1

Pay: £65,000.00-£70,000.00 per year

• Company events
• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Referral programme
• Sick pay

Experience:

• Registered Manager: 2 years (required)
• Ofsted: 5 years (required)
• Responsible Individual: 1 year (preferred)