At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and oversee multiple children's residential homes, ensuring exceptional care and compliance.
- Company: Ambitious provider of children's residential care with a focus on nurturing environments.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company electric car, healthcare cash plan, and bonus scheme.
- Other info: Join a supportive leadership team and enjoy opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children while shaping the future of care.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience as a Responsible Individual in children's residential care is essential.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 95000 £ per year.
- Senior Responsible Individual (Children’s Residential Homes)
- Location: Preston, UK
Job - Type: Full-Time, Permanent
- Benefits: Company Electric Car | Healthcare Cash Plan | Company Bonus Scheme
- About the Opportunity
Our client is an established and ambitious provider of children’s residential care, committed to creating safe, nurturing and therapeutic homes where children and young people can thrive.
Their vision is simple: to create Outstanding homes where children receive exceptional care, achieve positive outcomes and are supported to reach their full potential.
Quality, safeguarding and child-centred practice are at the heart of everything they do.
As the organisation continues to grow, they are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Responsible Individual to provide strategic leadership, operational oversight and governance across their children’s residential homes.
This is far more than a compliance role.
The successful candidate will be a visible, hands‑on leader who spends time in the homes every week, building strong relationships with Registered Managers, supporting teams, driving continuous improvement and ensuring every home consistently delivers the highest standards of care.
Alongside overseeing existing services, you will play a pivotal role in the organisation’s growth, supporting the identification, mobilisation and registration of new homes, recruiting leadership teams and ensuring every new service is set up for long‑term success.
This opportunity is ideally suited to an established Responsible Individual with extensive experience overseeing multiple children’s residential homes and a proven track record of achieving Good and Outstanding Ofsted outcomes.
The Role
As the Senior Responsible Individual, you will provide leadership and governance across multiple children’s residential homes, ensuring every service operates safely, effectively and in full compliance with all legislative and regulatory requirements.
You will act as the primary link between the organisation, Ofsted, Registered Managers, Directors, Local Authorities and external stakeholders, providing both strategic direction and operational support.
Success in this role requires someone who enjoys being present within the homes.
You will regularly visit services, complete quality audits, mentor Registered Managers, support staff development and ensure children remain at the centre of every decision.
You will also work closely with the Directors to support the organisation’s continued expansion, helping identify opportunities for new homes, overseeing their registration and opening, recruiting key leadership staff and embedding a culture of excellence from day one.
Key Responsibilities
- Regulatory & Compliance
- Act as the Responsible Individual in accordance with Ofsted regulations.
- Manage all Ofsted applications, registrations, notifications and regulatory communications.
- Maintain positive and professional relationships with Ofsted and regulatory bodies.
- Ensure every home remains fully compliant with Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards.
- Source, oversee and review independent Regulation 44 visits.
- Lead action plans following inspections, audits or identified areas for improvement.
- Drive continuous compliance across all homes with the aim of achieving and sustaining Good and Outstanding Ofsted ratings.
- Maintain oversight of safeguarding, health & safety, governance and organisational risk.
- Ensure policies, procedures and regulatory documentation remain compliant and up to date.
- Operational Leadership
- Provide strategic and operational oversight across multiple children’s residential homes.
- Maintain a genuine, hands‑on presence within the homes on a daily and weekly basis.
- Build strong relationships with Registered Managers, staff and young people through regular visits and visible leadership.
- Support Registered Managers to achieve exceptional operational performance.
- Coach, mentor and develop leadership teams to deliver consistently high standards.
- Promote a positive, child‑centred culture focused on achieving the very best outcomes for children and young people.
- Monitor occupancy levels and work collaboratively with Local Authorities and commissioners to maximise appropriate placements.
- Produce operational reports and updates for the Board of Directors.
- Represent the organisation professionally at meetings, networking events and sector forums.
- Quality Assurance, Audit & Continuous Improvement
- Lead and oversee a robust quality assurance and compliance programme across all homes.
- Complete regular quality audits, compliance reviews and service inspections.
- Monitor action plans and ensure improvements are implemented effectively.
- Identify trends, risks and opportunities for service improvement.
- Drive a culture of accountability, learning and continuous improvement.
- Support services to progress from Good to Outstanding through proactive leadership and high‑quality governance.
- Ensure every home consistently delivers excellent outcomes for children and young people.
- Growth & New Service Development
- Work closely with Directors to support the strategic growth of the organisation.
- Assist in identifying opportunities for new children’s residential homes.
- Lead and support the mobilisation, registration and opening of new services.
- Manage Ofsted registration processes for new homes.
- Ensure all new homes are operationally ready, fully compliant and appropriately staffed prior to opening.
- Recruit, support and develop Registered Managers for both existing and newly established services.
- Embed high standards, strong governance and a positive culture from the outset to maximise inspection outcomes.
- Leadership & People Management
- Support the recruitment, onboarding and induction of new employees.
- Lead the recruitment and selection of Registered Managers and key operational staff.
- Develop leadership capability across the organisation through coaching and mentoring.
- Support workforce planning and succession planning.
- Reduce agency reliance through effective staffing strategies.
- Support performance management and professional development.
- Ensure mandatory training remains fully compliant across all services.
- Chair management meetings and provide clear leadership, guidance and accountability.
- Lead by example, promoting professionalism, integrity and child‑centred practice throughout the organisation.
- Stakeholder Management
- Build strong relationships with Local Authorities, commissioners and partner agencies.
- Work collaboratively with safeguarding professionals and external stakeholders.
- Communicate effectively with Directors, managers and regulatory bodies.
- Escalate safeguarding, operational or reputational risks appropriately.
- Promote the organisation as a provider of excellence within the children’s residential care sector.
About You
To be successful in this role, you will have
- A minimum of 3-5 years’ experience working as a Responsible Individual within children’s residential care.
- Proven experience overseeing multiple children’s residential homes.
- This is not a development opportunity for a Registered Manager looking to step into an RI role.
Applicants must already have substantial experience operating as a Responsible Individual.
- A demonstrable track record of achieving and maintaining Good and Outstanding Ofsted inspection outcomes.
- Experience supporting the registration, mobilisation and opening of new children’s residential homes.
- Extensive knowledge of Children’s Homes Regulations, Quality Standards and Ofsted requirements.
- Excellent understanding of safeguarding legislation and best practice.
- Significant experience leading governance, compliance and quality assurance programmes.
- Experience supporting and developing high‑performing Registered Managers.
- A highly visible, approachable and hands‑on leadership style.
- Outstanding organisational, communication and decision‑making skills.
- The ability to manage multiple services and competing priorities.
- Strong stakeholder management and relationship‑building skills.
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills including Excel, Word and Outlook.
- A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly across the organisation’s homes.
- What’s on Offer
- £75,000 - £95,000 per annum, depending on experience
- Company electric car
- Healthcare Cash Plan
- Company bonus scheme
- A senior leadership role within an ambitious and growing organisation.
- The opportunity to influence the strategic direction and growth of the business.
- The chance to lead the development and opening of new children’s residential homes.
- Ongoing professional development and support.
- A collaborative and supportive senior leadership team.
- The opportunity to create Outstanding homes centred around exceptional outcomes for children and young people.
- The chance to make a genuine and lasting difference to the lives of vulnerable children every day.
Senior Responsible Individual (Children’s Residential Homes) in Preston employer: Altum HR
Join a well-established firm in Cheshire as a Mortgage and Protection Adviser, where your CeMAP qualifications will be valued in a supportive and ambitious team. Enjoy a hybrid working model, competitive rewards for hard work, and opportunities for professional growth while helping clients navigate their mortgage needs with tailored advice. This role offers a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee success and client satisfaction, making it an excellent choice for those seeking meaningful employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Responsible Individual (Children’s Residential Homes) in Preston
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Altum HR.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Altum HR!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Altum HR, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Altum HR or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Responsible Individual (Children’s Residential Homes) in Preston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Altum HR:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Altum HR! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Altum HR
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
