Area Responsible Individual in Carlisle

Various locations in the Northwest of England (hybrid remote)

From £55,000 + Benefits (DOE)

The Greenleaf Team

We’re looking for people to join our team that share our beliefs. We believe in a holistic approach: that even the smallest detail can mean a world of difference to a vulnerable young person. We want team members who never give up on our young people, who are compassionate and who believe that our young people deserve the best we can give them.

If it’s your ambition to create a future filled with hope and optimism for our young people, then get in touch.

Job Purpose:

The Responsible Individual will provide leadership, strategic direction, and operational management for three children’s homes. The role ensures that all homes are fully compliant with Ofsted regulations and other statutory guidelines, creating a safe, nurturing, and development-focused environment for children and young people in care. The Responsible Individual also represents the organisation in interactions with regulatory bodies, ensuring the quality of care is consistently upheld to meet or exceed national standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Management
  • Oversee the operational management of the three children’s homes, ensuring smooth day-to-day running.
  • Provide leadership, support, and supervision to Registered Managers at each home.
  • Monitor performance against objectives, budgets, and regulatory requirements, addressing any issues in a timely manner.
  • Develop and implement policies and procedures that reflect best practices in residential childcare.
• Compliance and Regulatory Requirements
  • Act as the Responsible Individual as defined in the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015.
  • Ensure full compliance with Ofsted regulations, including preparing for inspections, responding to inspection outcomes, and maintaining high standards of care.
  • Keep up-to-date with legislative changes affecting children’s residential care and ensure compliance across all homes.
  • Ensure that safeguarding procedures are strictly followed and reviewed regularly.
• Quality of Care
  • Ensure that each home delivers high-quality care that promotes the wellbeing, safety, and development of all children and young people.
  • Conduct regular audits and reviews of care plans, risk assessments, and behaviour management strategies.
  • Oversee the development of individualised care and support plans in collaboration with relevant professionals and the young people involved.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging innovation and best practices.
• Staff Development and Training
  • Lead on the recruitment, induction, and ongoing development of staff teams, ensuring they are well-equipped to deliver exceptional care.
  • Provide regular supervision, appraisal, and development opportunities for Registered Managers and their teams.
  • Ensure all staff are trained and updated on safeguarding, therapeutic approaches, and legal requirements.
  • Promote a positive working environment and a culture of teamwork, openness, and respect.
• Budget and Financial Management
  • Monitor budgets for each home, ensuring cost-effective service delivery without compromising on quality.
  • Work with finance teams to ensure homes operate within financial parameters and report on financial performance.
  • Identify and manage risks, ensuring sustainability and value for money in the provision of services.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Working
  • Act as the primary point of contact for external stakeholders, including Ofsted, local authorities, health services, and other professionals involved in the children’s care.
  • Represent the organisation at meetings, inspections, and with external agencies.
  • Build strong partnerships with community organisations, healthcare professionals, and educational providers to enhance the support available to children in care.
• Safeguarding
  • Take responsibility for safeguarding across all homes, ensuring any concerns are reported and managed according to safeguarding policies.
  • Ensure that children and young people are protected from harm and abuse and that their rights are respected and upheld at all times.

Requirements

Essential Requirements:

• Relevant qualification in social work, childcare, or management (e.g., Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare or equivalent).
• Significant experience in managing children’s residential homes, including experience as a Registered Manager or Responsible Individual.
• Thorough knowledge of Ofsted regulations, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, and other statutory requirements.
• Proven leadership and management skills with the ability to inspire, motivate, and support staff teams.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and experience of working within safeguarding frameworks.
• Experience of budget management and financial planning.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work flexibly, travel between sites, and respond to emergencies when required.

Desirable:

• Additional qualifications in therapeutic care or trauma-informed practice.
• Experience in strategic development and service improvement.

Benefits

With greater expectations come greater rewards. If you’re selected to become part of the Greenleaf family, you’ll not only enjoy a salary that’s higher than the sector average, but you’ll also enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and generous holiday entitlement.

You will be eligible for our wellbeing package, which includes an external EAP with a 24/7 wellbeing line and free counselling sessions, a health cash plan, which includes dental and optical cover, physio therapies, and a 24/7 GP helpline, and our Greenleaf For You platform, which gives you access to a wide range of discounts and savings.

You will also have access to a wide range of development opportunities. At Greenleaf we believe in progression, we look after our staff so that they can focus on caring for our young people.

The closing date for this role is 4th January 2026. Interviews will be held in January.