At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic governance and safeguarding oversight for children's services across the UK.
- Company: Join Delphi Care Solutions, a leader in child welfare consultancy.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hours, and impactful work in children's lives.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional growth and travel across the UK.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in safeguarding children while shaping governance practices.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's residential care and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
- Strategic Governance, Safeguarding & Regulatory Oversight Lead
- Location
- Across all UK regions
- Salary
- Competitive rates (dependent on experience and qualifications)
- Job Type
- Contract basis (Project-based)
- Hours of work
- Typically Monday to Friday
- Start Date
- Subject to satisfactory Enhanced DBS (including Children's Barred List check)
- Appointed by
- Registered Provider / Board of Directors
- Regulatory Framework
- Care Standards Act 2000
- Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015
- Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations
- Ofsted Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF)
- About Delphi Care Solutions
Delphi Care Solutions supports Ofsted-regulated services from initial concept through to safe, sustainable operational practice.
We work alongside providers at every stage of their journey — from registration and governance set-up to ongoing regulatory oversight and inspection readiness.
Many providers appoint an experienced Responsible Individual (RI) to strengthen their governance arrangements and ensure robust safeguarding oversight.
Delphi offers consultancy-led RI support that brings extensive sector knowledge, regulatory expertise, and strategic challenge, helping providers operate with confidence while keeping children's safety at the centre of every decision.
Our ethos is simple: we partner with providers who genuinely care and are committed to making a meaningful difference in children's lives.
We do not offer superficial compliance.
Instead, we deliver structured, inspection-led support that embeds strong systems, transparent governance, and defensible safeguarding practice.
Through proactive oversight, professional challenge, and continuous quality assurance, we help ensure that services are not only compliant, but consistently inspection-ready and delivering the highest possible standard of care.
Role Positioning
Under the Care Standards Act 2000, the Responsible Individual sits within the provider's legal accountability framework.
The RI reports directly to the Registered Provider or Board of Directors and acts as the provider's regulatory and safeguarding representative to Ofsted.
This role extends beyond compliance monitoring. The RI provides
- Independent governance oversight
- Strategic safeguarding leadership
- Inspection-readiness assurance aligned to SCCIF
- Provider-level accountability
- Constructive professional challenge
The RI ensures the service is not simply compliant, but defensible, sustainable, and child-centred.
- Core Accountability
- Operates lawfully under all relevant legislation
- Meets and sustains the Quality Standards
- Maintains safe, proportionate safeguarding systems
- Remains inspection-ready under the Social Care Common Inspection Framework
- Delivers measurable outcomes for children
The RI represents the provider in regulatory engagement and must be able to evidence oversight, scrutiny, and challenge.
- Strategic Functions
- Governance & Regulatory Assurance
- Maintain provider-level oversight systems
- Monitor trends in incidents, restraints, missing episodes, complaints and safeguarding
- Oversee Regulation 44 independence and scrutiny quality
- Review and approve Regulation 45 Quality of Care reports Ensure Regulation 40 notifications are appropriate and timely
- Maintain a live compliance and risk register
- Stress-test systems prior to inspection
The RI ensures governance systems are proactive rather than reactive.
Oversight is based on documentation, disclosures, and information made available by the service at the time of review.
The provider retains ultimate legal responsibility for operational delivery and regulatory compliance.
Safeguarding Leadership
The RI
- Holds ultimate safeguarding accountability on behalf of the provider
- Scrutinises serious incidents and allegations
- Ensures appropriate external referrals (LADO, police, placing authority)
- Monitors learning and practice improvement
- Ensures safeguarding decisions are evidence-based and defensible
Where safeguarding concerns arise and provider action is deemed inadequate, the RI reserves the right to elevate concerns to Ofsted or relevant safeguarding authorities in line with statutory responsibilities.
Delphi Care Solutions maintains a zero tolerance approach to poor safeguarding practice.
Children's safety must never be compromised by operational, financial, or reputational considerations.
- Leadership Oversight & Culture
- Provide structured supervision to the Registered Manager
- Offer professional challenge and performance scrutiny
- Identify early indicators of drift, fatigue, or compliance risk
- Monitor workforce stability, safer recruitment, and training compliance
- Ensure the Statement of Purpose reflects operational reality
- Inspection Readiness & Risk Anticipation
- Reviewing evidence trails against SCCIF judgement areas
- Overall experiences and progress of children
- How well children are helped and protected
- Effectiveness of leaders and managers
- Evaluating documentation quality and regulatory language
- Identifying vulnerabilities before inspection
- Ensuring improvement plans are outcome-focused
Inspection readiness is continuous, not seasonal.
- Measurable Performance Indicators
- No avoidable regulatory breaches
- Timely and accurate statutory notifications
- Reduction in recurring safeguarding themes
- Consistent Regulation 44 quality and independence
- Clear, evidence-based Regulation 45 reports
- Demonstrable improvement following action plans
- Positive inspection feedback regarding governance and oversight
The RI provides structured oversight reporting to the provider quarterly (minimum).
- Independence & Conflict of Interest
- The RI operates independently of day-to-day management
- The RI will not undertake direct operational shift delivery
- Any prior consultancy involvement will be transparently declared
- Clear boundaries will be maintained between improvement consultancy and statutory oversight
- Financial or professional conflicts of interest will be formally declared
- Professional Boundaries
- The RI provides governance oversight, not operational management
- The Registered Manager retains responsibility for day-to-day running
- The provider retains ultimate legal responsibility
- The RI role does not guarantee inspection outcomes
- Oversight is based on information disclosed and made available at the time of review
Fees reflect professional expertise and governance oversight. Inspection outcomes remain the responsibility of the provider.
Requirements
- Professional Requirements
- Enhanced DBS including Children's Barred List check
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management (Children's Residential) or demonstrable equivalent senior leadership experience
- Significant senior leadership experience in children's residential care
• Deep knowledge of
- Care Standards Act 2000
- Children's Homes Regulations 2015
- Quality Standards
- Ofsted Social Care Common Inspection Framework
- Strong safeguarding expertise
- Ability to evidence governance scrutiny
- Ongoing CPD
- Time Commitment - Example Structure
- Minimum: X days per month (dependent on client's needs)
- Monthly Registered Manager supervision
- Quarterly governance review
- Attendance during inspection
- Immediate availability for serious safeguarding incidents
Travel to services across UK regions will be required. Mileage and reasonable travel expenses may be chargeable in line with the agreed consultancy contract.
Ethical Statement
The Responsible Individual's primary duty is to children's safety and welfare.
Commercial interests must never override safeguarding responsibilities.
Delphi Care Solutions will not support or remain engaged with services where safeguarding standards fall below acceptable statutory thresholds without clear, measurable improvement action.
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Responsible Individual (Consultant) in Oxford employer: Delphi Care Solutions Ltd
Join a pioneering mental health provider in Solihull, where you will have the unique opportunity to lead the establishment of a new CQC-registered ADHD service. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth and collaboration within a multidisciplinary team, ensuring you can make a meaningful impact while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid working model. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, we empower our employees to shape the future of mental health care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Responsible Individual (Consultant) in Oxford
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Delphi Care Solutions Ltd, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Responsible Individual (Consultant) in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Delphi Care Solutions Ltd. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Delphi Care Solutions Ltd. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Delphi Care Solutions Ltd
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Delphi Care Solutions Ltd.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Responsible Individual (Consultant) role at Delphi Care Solutions Ltd, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Delphi Care Solutions Ltd that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
