Responsible Individual - Ofsted Children's Homes

Embrace Care; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medicash policy

33 days annual leave inc bank holidays

Ongoing professional development

Growth plans

Job summary

Embrace Care is seeking an experienced Responsible Individual to oversee four Ofsted-regulated children's homes in Preston. You will ensure regulatory compliance, drive continuous improvement, and partner with Registered Managers to deliver outstanding care for children and young people.

The role requires senior leadership experience, strong knowledge of regulations, and the ability to travel between services to support governance and safeguarding across all sites.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in Ofsted-regulated children's residential care.
• Strong knowledge of children's home regulations, quality standards, and safeguarding.
• Experience managing multiple services and driving continuous improvement.
• Proven track record of achieving Good or Outstanding Ofsted outcomes.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel between services.

Responsibilities

• Provide Responsible Individual oversight for four Ofsted-regulated children's homes.
• Ensure compliance with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
• Maintain positive and professional relationships with Ofsted, local authorities, and external stakeholders.
• Monitor service quality through audits, quality assurance visits, and performance reviews.
• Support, mentor, and challenge Registered Managers to achieve high standards of care and regulatory compliance.
• Lead on safeguarding oversight, risk management, and service improvement plans.
• Analyse performance data and implement strategies to improve outcomes for children and young people.
• Ensure robust governance arrangements are in place across all services.
• Support the growth and development of existing and future residential services.
• Promote a culture where children and young people's voices are central to decision-making.

Skills

Senior leadership

Ofsted-regulated knowledge

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

People management

Travel readiness

Education

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare

Job description

Responsible Individual - Children's Residential Homes

Location: Preston, Lancashire
Reports to: Area Operations and Development Manager

Salary: up to £70,000 per annum

About Us

Embrace Care are committed to delivering outstanding care and life-changing outcomes for children, young people and adults. We currently operate Six children's homes across Preston, supporting young people with complex needs, emotional and behavioural difficulties, and experiences of trauma.

The Role

As the Responsible Individual, you will be the key link between the organisation and Ofsted, ensuring all homes operate safely, effectively, and in full compliance with regulatory requirements. You will work closely with Registered Managers and senior leadership teams to drive a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and child-centred practice.

This is a pivotal leadership role requiring proven experience within children's residential care, strong regulatory knowledge, and the ability to support and challenge services to achieve outstanding outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide Responsible Individual oversight for four Ofsted-regulated children's homes.
• Ensure compliance with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
• Maintain positive and professional relationships with Ofsted, local authorities, and external stakeholders.
• Monitor service quality through audits, quality assurance visits, and performance reviews.
• Support, mentor, and challenge Registered Managers to achieve high standards of care and regulatory compliance.
• Lead on safeguarding oversight, risk management, and service improvement plans.
• Analyse performance data and implement strategies to improve outcomes for children and young people.
• Ensure robust governance arrangements are in place across all services.
• Support the growth and development of existing and future residential services.
• Promote a culture where children and young people's voices are central to decision-making.

About You

We are looking for a passionate and experienced leader who can demonstrate:

Essential

• Significant senior leadership experience within Ofsted-regulated children's residential care.
• Strong working knowledge of children's home regulations, quality standards, and safeguarding legislation.
• Experience of managing multiple services and driving continuous improvement.
• Proven track record of supporting homes to achieve Good or Outstanding Ofsted outcomes.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel between services.

Desirable

• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent).
• Experience as a Responsible Individual.
• Experience supporting the registration and mobilisation of new children's homes.
• Understanding of therapeutic and trauma-informed care models.

What We Offer

• £72,000 per annum
• Medicash policy
• 33 days annual leave inc bank holidays.
• Ongoing professional development and training.
• Supportive senior leadership team with ambitious growth plans.

Please note: Embrace Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List check, satisfactory references, and safer recruitment checks in line with Ofsted requirements.