Ofsted Registered Responsible Individual in Manchester

Responsible Individual – Therapeutic Children's Residential Home
Location:
Manchester Position:
Responsible Individual (RI) Hours:
Part-time – 2–3 days per week Contract:
Permanent / Part-time Salary:
Competitive, dependent on experience Service:
New 3-bed Therapeutic Children's Home Age Range:
7–18 years Registration:
Ofsted-regulated children's residential care 1. Job Purpose
We are seeking an experienced, dedicated and forward-thinking Responsible Individual (RI) to provide strategic leadership, oversight and governance for a new three-bed therapeutic children's home in Manchester. The home will provide specialist residential care for children and young people aged 7–18 years who present with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD), complex needs and histories of trauma, adverse childhood experiences, attachment difficulties and disrupted relationships. The Responsible Individual will play a key role in establishing, developing and maintaining a high-quality children's residential service that delivers safe, nurturing and therapeutic care. Working on a part-time basis for 2–3 days per week, the postholder will provide effective oversight of the Registered Manager, ensure regulatory compliance, monitor the quality of care and drive continuous improvement across the service. The successful candidate will be passionate about improving outcomes for vulnerable children and committed to creating a home where children feel safe, respected, valued and supported to achieve their full potential. 2. Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Service Development Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of the children's home.
Support the development and successful establishment of the new three-bed therapeutic service.
Ensure the home's Statement of Purpose reflects the needs of the children accommodated and the therapeutic ethos of the service.
Establish a clear vision, values and culture that place children at the centre of all decisions.
Ensure the service operates in accordance with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and associated Quality Standards.
Promote trauma-informed, child-centred and relationship-based approaches to residential care.
Support the Registered Manager in developing a stable, skilled and motivated staff team.
Ofsted and Regulatory Compliance Act as the nominated Responsible Individual for the children's home, subject to Ofsted approval and registration requirements.
Maintain an up-to-date understanding of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, regulations and Ofsted expectations.
Ensure the home is appropriately managed and effectively supervised.
Monitor compliance with the Children's Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
Ensure appropriate policies, procedures and governance arrangements are in place.
Maintain oversight of Regulation 44 independent visits and Regulation 45 quality of care reviews.
Ensure recommendations and actions arising from inspections, audits and independent visits are implemented.
Work collaboratively with Ofsted and respond appropriately to regulatory enquiries and requirements.
Ensure the home is prepared for Ofsted registration, monitoring visits and inspections.
Leadership and Management Oversight Provide regular supervision, support and professional challenge to the Registered Manager.
Monitor the Registered Manager's performance against agreed objectives and service standards.
Ensure management arrangements promote accountability, transparency and effective decision-making.
Review staffing structures, recruitment, retention, training and development.
Ensure appropriate arrangements are in place for staff supervision, team meetings and performance management.
Support the Registered Manager with complex operational matters and significant safeguarding decisions.
Promote a positive working environment where staff feel supported, confident and accountable.
Safeguarding and Children's Welfare Maintain strategic oversight of safeguarding arrangements and ensure children are protected from harm, abuse, exploitation and neglect.
Ensure safeguarding concerns, allegations, incidents and complaints are appropriately investigated and managed.
Monitor patterns and trends relating to incidents, missing-from-care episodes, restraint, self-harm and challenging behaviour.
Ensure children receive individualised care and support based on their needs, experiences and vulnerabilities.
Ensure effective risk assessments, behaviour support plans and placement plans are in place and regularly reviewed.
Ensure children's voices, wishes and feelings influence the care they receive.
Promote positive relationships between children, staff, families and professionals.
Ensure appropriate multi-agency working with local authorities, social workers, education providers, health professionals and other relevant agencies.
Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement Establish and maintain a robust quality assurance framework.
Undertake regular quality audits and monitoring visits to assess the standard of care being delivered.
Review incidents, complaints, safeguarding records, care plans and children's progress.
Monitor outcomes for children and identify areas requiring improvement.
Ensure learning from incidents, complaints and inspections is embedded into practice.
Review Regulation 45 reports and ensure improvement plans are implemented effectively.
Provide reports to the provider/organisation on the home's performance, risks and development.
Ensure the service consistently strives to achieve good or outstanding outcomes for children.
Financial and Business Oversight Provide oversight of the financial performance and sustainability of the home.
Monitor budgets, staffing expenditure and resources.
Ensure staffing arrangements are safe, appropriate and financially sustainable.
Support the development of occupancy and placement planning in line with the home's Statement of Purpose and children's needs.
Ensure appropriate resources are available to deliver high-quality therapeutic care.
Contribute to business planning and the long-term development of the service.
3. New Home Development and Registration
As this is a new children's home, the Responsible Individual will have an important role in supporting the provider to establish the service and achieve successful Ofsted registration. This will include: Supporting the preparation and development of the Ofsted registration application.
Ensuring the Statement of Purpose is comprehensive, accurate and reflects the proposed service.
Supporting the development of policies, procedures and operational guidance.
Ensuring the premises are suitable, safe and appropriately equipped for the children to be accommodated.
Supporting the recruitment and appointment of a suitably experienced Registered Manager.
Ensuring appropriate staffing structures and management arrangements are established.
Ensuring the home's therapeutic model and approach to EBD are clearly defined.
Supporting the development of referral, assessment, admission and placement processes.
Ensuring the service is operationally ready before children are admitted.
4. Person Specification
Essential Requirements Significant senior management experience within children's residential care.
Previous experience as a Responsible Individual or in a senior operational leadership position within an Ofsted-regulated children's home.
Strong working knowledge of the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
Detailed understanding of Ofsted registration, inspection and compliance requirements.
Experience supporting children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties, trauma and complex needs.
Strong knowledge of safeguarding, risk management and child protection procedures.
Experience managing, supervising and developing Registered Managers.
Experience of quality assurance, audits, compliance monitoring and service improvement.
Strong leadership, communication, organisational and decision-making skills.
Ability to provide effective strategic oversight while working part-time.
A genuine commitment to improving outcomes for vulnerable children.
Desirable Requirements Previous experience establishing and registering a new children's residential home.
Experience managing small therapeutic children's homes.
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare or an equivalent relevant qualification.
Relevant management or leadership qualifications.
Experience working with local authorities and commissioning teams.
Experience developing trauma-informed and therapeutic residential services.
A track record of achieving positive Ofsted inspection outcomes.
5. Working Arrangements
This is a part-time position requiring a commitment of approximately
2–3 days per week . The Responsible Individual will be expected to: Maintain regular contact with the Registered Manager.
Undertake planned visits to the home.
Provide professional supervision and oversight to the Registered Manager.
Review service performance, safeguarding matters and regulatory compliance.
Attend management and strategic meetings as required.
Be available to provide advice and guidance on significant safeguarding or operational matters.
Maintain sufficient availability to fulfil the statutory responsibilities of the Responsible Individual.
The role will require flexibility to respond to significant incidents, safeguarding concerns and regulatory matters when necessary. 6. Personal Qualities
The successful candidate will be: Passionate about improving the lives of vulnerable children.
A confident and credible leader.
Resilient, approachable and solution-focused.
Child-centred and committed to therapeutic practice.
Organised and able to manage competing priorities.
Confident in challenging poor practice and driving improvement.
Professional, accountable and committed to the highest standards of care.
7. What We Offer
A competitive part-time salary, dependent on experience.
Flexible working arrangements across 2–3 days per week.
The opportunity to shape and develop a new therapeutic children's home.
A key leadership role within a growing residential childcare organisation.
The opportunity to influence service development and improve outcomes for children.
A supportive provider and management structure.
Opportunities for professional development and progression.
8. Safeguarding and Suitability
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be required to complete appropriate safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check with relevant barred list checks where applicable, satisfactory references, employment history checks and verification of qualifications and experience. The appointment will be subject to Ofsted's assessment and approval of the individual as a suitable Responsible Individual for the children's home.
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