Responsible Individual - For an established Childrens Residential Home - Up to £75,000 - Based around the Preston Area
About the roleWe are looking for a Responsible Individual who is ready to take charge of up to six children's homes and help the people running them to do their best work.You will be a familiar face across your homes, backing your Registered Managers when they need support and pushing them when they need a nudge. Your focus will be making sure every child gets exceptional care and that standards stay high.You will also be the link between what is happening on the ground and what needs to change. That means listening to what children are saying, taking on board inspection feedback and using performance information to drive real improvements across your area, all while living and championing the Companies values and growing the leadership strength of your managers.
Key Responsibilities for the Responsible Individual
- Strategic Leadership and Governance You will lead and oversee an allocated portfolio of up to six children's homes, setting clear priorities for quality, culture and children's outcomes.
- You will oversee the management of each home, providing support, challenge and assurance that required standards are maintained.
- You will ensure that oversight arrangements reflect the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, the Quality Standards and relevant safeguarding duties.
- You will establish clear governance and reporting arrangements, review performance and risk information, and make sure agreed improvement actions are completed.
- You will support the development, registration and mobilisation of new homes, ensuring leadership, staffing and quality arrangements are ready for safe delivery.
- You will uphold the values, setting expectations for professional behaviour, positive relationships and a culture in which children and team members thrive.
- Safeguarding and Risk Management You will lead safeguarding oversight across your allocated homes and ensure safeguarding concerns receive timely, appropriate and well documented responses.
- You will support and challenge Registered Managers in managing allegations, safeguarding enquiries and complex risks, involving external partners as required.
- Leadership and Management Oversight You will coach, supervise and challenge Registered Managers, assessing their leadership effectiveness and supporting their development and professional judgement.
- You will set clear expectations for management accountability, reflective practice, supervision and continuous development across the area.
- You will provide senior leadership support and intervention where services face significant operational, safeguarding or regulatory challenges.
- Child-Centred Practice You will ensure children's voices and experiences inform quality reviews, management decisions and service improvement plans.
- You will monitor outcomes for children, including safety, stability, relationships, education, health and wellbeing, and challenge where progress is limited.
Essential Qualifications and Experience
- Relevant leadership and management qualification, or equivalent demonstrable senior leadership expertise within children's residential care; a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare is advantageous.
- Substantial senior leadership experience in Ofsted-regulated children's residential care, including effective oversight of safeguarding and service quality.
- Proven ability to lead, support and challenge Registered Managers or comparable senior leaders across more than one service.
- Strong working knowledge of the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Quality Standards and child protection responsibilities.
- Evidence of improving children's experiences and outcomes, including supporting services through inspection findings or quality improvement activity.
- Ability to interpret performance, quality and safeguarding information and turn it into clear priorities and measurable improvement.
Recommendations
- We offer a £200 voucher for a variety of businesses for each successful recommendation/referral.
Responsible Individual in Preston employer: Health Recruit Network
Join a compassionate and dedicated team at our well-established children's residential home in Plymouth, where you can lead with purpose and make a significant impact on the lives of young people. We offer a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing, continuous professional development, and the opportunity to manage a service rated 'Good' by Ofsted. With competitive salary packages, a company pension, and a focus on health and wellbeing, this role is perfect for those looking to grow their career while making a difference.
