Responsible Individual

Trusted Recruiter Ltd; Wallington; On-site; GBP 74,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Direct involvement with Directors

Brand-new home

Early-stage involvement

Self-employed/Consultancy

Job summary

Trusted Recruiter Ltd is recruiting a highly experienced Responsible Individual to provide senior oversight for a brand-new children’s home. You will support the Ofsted registration process and ensure full compliance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and related Quality Standards.

The role is a flexible self-employed/consultancy arrangement, approximately 1–2 days per week initially, with close collaboration with Directors and the Registered Manager to establish a safe,

Qualifications

• Significant Ofsted-regulated children's residential care experience.
• Strong understanding of responsibilities operating a children's home.
• Proven leadership, governance and quality-assurance skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as the Responsible Individual for the home under Ofsted requirements.
• Support the provider and Registered Manager through Ofsted registration.
• Provide strategic oversight, governance and challenge to the service.
• Ensure compliance with Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
• Guide the Registered Manager with oversight and accountability.
• Monitor safeguarding and keep child welfare central to the service.
• Oversee policies, procedures and regulatory documentation.

Skills

Ofsted experience

Leadership

Governance

Quality assurance

Regulatory knowledge

Communication

Driving licence

Education

Level 5 Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare

Job description

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.

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