Location: Various UK Locations / Remote with travel  

Salary: Negotiable based on Experience  

Contract: Full-time / Part-time / Consultancy (as applicable) 

About the Role 

We are recruiting an experienced and committed Responsible Individual (RI) to provide strategic oversight and governance across one or more children’s residential homes. This is a senior leadership role with accountability for ensuring that services are safe, effective, compliant, and focused on delivering positive outcomes for children and young people. 

The Responsible Individual will work closely with Registered Managers and senior leadership to ensure compliance with Ofsted regulations, legislation, and best practice, while driving continuous improvement across services. 

Key Responsibilities 

•  Act as the Responsible Individual in line with Ofsted and The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 

•  Provide strategic oversight of children’s homes, ensuring regulatory and legislative compliance 

•  Support, mentor, and challenge Registered Managers to maintain high standards of care 

•  Ensure effective safeguarding arrangements are in place and reviewed regularly 

•  Monitor quality of care, outcomes, and service performance across homes 

•  Lead on governance, audits, and quality assurance processes 

•  Ensure homes are inspection-ready and support positive Ofsted outcomes 

•  Act as a key point of contact with Ofsted and other external stakeholders 

•  Oversee policies, procedures, and service development 

•  Escalate risks and ensure timely action plans are implemented 

Essential Requirements 

•  Significant senior leadership experience within children’s residential care 

•  Strong working knowledge of Ofsted regulations, Quality Standards, and safeguarding legislation 

•  Experience supporting or overseeing Registered Children’s Home Managers 

•  Proven ability to drive compliance and service improvement 

•  Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills 

•  Ability to work strategically while remaining operationally aware 

•  Enhanced DBS check and right to work in the UK 

Desirable 

•  Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent) 

•  Experience overseeing multiple homes 

•  Experience supporting new home registrations or service expansion 

•  Background in therapeutic, trauma-informed, or specialist care models 

What’s on Offer 

•  Competitive salary or consultancy rate 

•  Opportunity to influence and shape high-quality children’s services 

•  Flexible working arrangements (where applicable) 

•  Supportive senior leadership and values-led organisation