At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and ensure compliance in children's residential care services.
- Company: Join a growing, ambitious children's care provider.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible part-time hours, and impactful work.
- Other info: Opportunity for hybrid work with significant on-site impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while shaping high-quality care.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in children's residential care and strong leadership skills.
Location: Derbyshire & West Midlands
Salary: £350 – £500 per day (DOE)
Hours: Part-time (up to 16 hours per week)
Contract: Consultancy / Self-Employed preferred (flexible for the right candidate)
About the Opportunity
Diamond Search Recruitment is proud to be partnering with a well-established and expanding children’s residential care provider to recruit an experienced Responsible Individual (RI). This is a senior, strategic role offering the opportunity to work across two services:
- A well-established home in Derby
- A developing service in Sutton Coldfield progressing through registration
The position is ideally suited to a highly experienced care professional seeking a flexible, high-impact consultancy role where you can drive compliance, quality, and outcomes for children.
The Role
As the Responsible Individual, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that services operate to the highest standards, in full compliance with:
- Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015
- Quality Standards
- Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF)
You will provide strategic oversight, leadership support, and governance—ensuring that children receive safe, nurturing, and trauma-informed care. You will also act as the key liaison between the organisation, Registered Managers, and Ofsted.
Key Responsibilities
- Regulatory Compliance & Governance
- Ensure full compliance with children’s home regulations and quality standards
- Oversee adherence to the Social Care Common Inspection Framework
- Monitor and ensure timely statutory notifications
- Support homes through Ofsted inspections and post-inspection action plans
- Maintain compliant Statements of Purpose and policies
- Leadership & Management Support
- Provide mentoring, challenge, and professional guidance to Registered Managers
- Support leadership development and strong team culture
- Contribute to performance management and service improvement
- Offer supervision where required
- Safeguarding & Quality Assurance
- Maintain strong oversight of safeguarding practice across all homes
- Ensure compliance with safeguarding legislation and local procedures
- Monitor incidents, complaints, and allegations, ensuring learning is embedded
- Review Regulation 44 reports and Regulation 45 reviews
- Conduct quality assurance visits and implement improvement plans
- Operational Oversight
- Support occupancy planning and placement decisions
- Monitor budget use and resource allocation
- Promote child-centred and trauma-informed care
- Ensure children's voices influence service development
- Drive continuous improvement through learning and feedback
About You
Essential Experience
- Significant experience within children’s residential care
- In-depth knowledge of Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards
- Strong understanding of the SCCIF framework
- Proven safeguarding expertise
- Experience in quality assurance and service improvement
- Strong leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills
Desirable
- Previous experience as a Responsible Individual or Registered Manager
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management (or equivalent)
- Experience overseeing multiple homes
- DSL Level 3 safeguarding qualification
- Experience supporting or supervising Registered Managers
What’s On Offer
- Competitive day rate (£350–£500 depending on experience)
- Flexible, part-time working (approx. 2 days per week)
- Opportunity to shape and influence high-quality care services
- Work with an ambitious and growth-focused organisation
- Hybrid autonomy with meaningful on-site impact
Apply Now
If you are an experienced senior leader in children’s residential care looking for a flexible, strategic role where you can make a genuine difference, we would love to hear from you. Apply today or contact Diamond Search Recruitment for a confidential discussion.
Responsible Individual (Children's Residential Care) in Derby employer: Diamond Search Recruitment Ltd
At Diamond Search Recruitment, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a flexible and impactful consultancy role for experienced professionals in children's residential care. Our work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing opportunities for personal and professional growth while ensuring that you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children across Derbyshire and the West Midlands. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values compliance, quality, and the nurturing of young lives.
Contact Detail:
Diamond Search Recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Responsible Individual (Children's Residential Care) in Derby
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the children's residential care sector. Attend industry events or join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your achievements in compliance, quality assurance, and leadership. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to organisations you admire, like Diamond Search Recruitment. Express your interest in consultancy roles and let them know how you can add value to their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on the latest regulations and frameworks in children's residential care. Be ready to discuss how you would ensure compliance and improve service quality. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance at landing that role!
We think you need these skills to ace Responsible Individual (Children's Residential Care) in Derby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in children's residential care. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Responsible Individual, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant expertise!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves providing support and guidance to Registered Managers, it’s crucial to emphasise your leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've mentored or led teams in the past to demonstrate your capability.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and qualifications stand out without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Diamond Search Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Regulations
Make sure you brush up on the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Quality Standards. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the rules, but that you can also apply them in practice.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've provided mentoring and support in previous roles. Think about specific situations where your leadership made a difference, especially in compliance and quality assurance. This will highlight your capability as a Responsible Individual.
✨Demonstrate Your Safeguarding Expertise
Be ready to discuss your experience with safeguarding practices. Share any relevant incidents you've managed and how you ensured compliance with legislation. This is crucial for the role, so make it a focal point in your interview.
✨Engage with Their Vision
Research the organisation and understand their approach to child-centred care. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission. This shows that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely want to be part of their team.
