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.
As our services continue to develop, we are seeking an experienced and ambitious Responsible Individual (RI) to provide strategic oversight, governance, and leadership across our residential provision.
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.
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Responsible Individual - Ofsted Children's Homes in Preston employer: EMBRACE CARE LTD
Embrace Care is an exceptional employer, recognised as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026, offering a nurturing environment for Residential Support Workers in Preston. With a strong focus on employee growth through continuous therapeutic guidance and a supportive team culture, we ensure that our staff are well-equipped to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children who have faced adversity. Join us for a rewarding career where job security and professional development go hand in hand, all within a dedicated and compassionate home setting.
