Responsible Individual (Children's Residential Care)

Hireful; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 94,000; Part time

Job summary

Hireful partners with a growing independent children's residential care provider to appoint an experienced part-time Responsible Individual (RI). The role leads Ofsted registration for the Leyton home and provides governance across the expanding portfolio.

Key duties include safeguarding oversight, regulatory compliance with the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and SCCIF, supervision of Registered Managers, and advising on readiness for new sites.

Qualifications

• Experience as RI or Senior Operations Manager in children's residential care.
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare or equivalent.
• Knowledge of Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF).
• Experience registering new homes and multi-site settings.

Responsibilities

• Ofsted Registration & Liaison: primary contact for Ofsted for the Leyton home and regulatory compliance.
• Strategic Governance & Quality Assurance: ensure homes operate under relevant regulations and standards.
• Management Oversight: supervise Registered Managers and monitor Regulation 44/45 practices.
• Safeguarding & Risk Management: oversee safeguarding, referrals, audits, safer recruitment, liaising with authorities.
• Growth & Mobilisation: advise Directors on readiness for next two homes.

Skills

RI leadership

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder liaison

Governance

Education

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare

Job description

We are partnering with a growing, values-led independent children's residential care provider to appoint an experienced part-time Responsible Individual (RI).

With an established home operating in North West London (Cricklewood area), a brand-new home in Leyton ready for Ofsted registration, and two further homes currently in the planning stages, this is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished residential childcare leader.

You will play a pivotal role in getting the new Leyton provision registered and over the line, while providing high-level governance and regulatory oversight across the expanding portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Ofsted Registration & Liaison: Act as the primary point of contact for Ofsted, leading the registration submission and Fit and Proper Person processes for the new Leyton home while maintaining full regulatory compliance across existing services.

Strategic Governance & Quality Assurance: Ensure all homes operate strictly in line with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Quality Standards, and their respective Statements of Purpose.

Management Oversight: Provide structured supervision, support, and performance evaluation to Registered Managers, ensuring robust Regulation 44 and Regulation 45 monitoring systems are embedded.

Safeguarding & Risk Management: Champion a culture of safeguarding, overseeing referrals, audits, safer recruitment, and external liaison with local authorities, LADO, and safeguarding partners.

Growth & Mobilisation: Advise the Directors on operational readiness, quality frameworks, and compliance as the next two homes move through the planning and mobilisation phases.

What We Are Looking For

• Proven track record as a Responsible Individual or Senior Operations Manager within children's residential care, ideally with prior Ofsted registration as an RI.
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent).
• Deep, practical working knowledge of the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF).
• Direct experience managing new home registrations and multi-site residential settings.
• Ability to pass Ofsted's Fit and Proper Person checks alongside a clear Enhanced DBS.

You will be working 2-3 days per week at a rate of £450 per day. Open to experienced Limited Company / PSC contractors. Role is predominantly home-based with occasional site visits.

Note: The end-client qualifies for the small company IR35 exemption, meaning off-payroll working rules do not apply and the contractor is responsible for assessing their own tax and status under Chapter 8.