Children's Homes Responsible Individual

Responsible Individual - Children's Residential Services

Salary: £60,000-£65,000 per annum

Location: Castleford, WF10 / Walsall, WS4

Homes: 4 x 2-bed children's residential homes (EBD)

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive salary of £60,000-£65,000 per annum
• £200car allowance entitlement
• 28 days' annual leave
• Opportunity to oversee a portfolio of four children's residential homes
• Senior leadership position with significant influence over quality, compliance and service development
• Opportunity to lead, support and develop Registered Managers across multiple services
• Scope to shape organisational strategies and drive continuous improvement

What We're Looking For

• Extensive senior leadership experience within children's residential care
• Proven experience overseeing multiple children's residential homes
• Experience line managing, mentoring and supporting Registered Managers
• In-depth knowledge of the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Quality Standards and Ofsted Inspection Framework
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, risk management, governance and quality assurance
• Proven ability to drive continuous improvement across multiple services
• Experience supporting services through Ofsted inspections and improvement plans
• Excellent leadership, communication and report-writing skills
• Strong strategic planning and operational management abilities
• Ability to build effective relationships with Ofsted, Local Authorities, LADO, Police and other external stakeholders
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare, or equivalent, desirable
• Previous Responsible Individual experience desirable
• Experience leading homes through Ofsted registration, inspections or improvement journeys desirable
• Understanding of financial oversight, budgets and resource management across multiple services desirable

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• Act as the Ofsted Responsible Individual across four children's residential homes
• Provide strategic leadership, governance and operational oversight across all services
• Line manage, mentor and support Registered Managers to maintain high standards of leadership and care
• Ensure all homes operate in compliance with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Quality Standards and safeguarding requirements
• Maintain oversight of leadership capacity, succession planning and workforce development
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and child-centred practice
• Monitor safeguarding practices, complaints, serious incidents and allegations across all homes
• Liaise with Ofsted, Local Authorities, LADO, Police and other external agencies where required
• Oversee Regulation 44 reports, internal audits and quality assurance processes, ensuring actions are completed effectively
• Monitor performance data across all four homes and identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement
• Lead and support the improvement journey of the two homes currently rated Requires Improvement
• Maintain and build on the Good Ofsted ratings across the two Castleford homes
• Support homes through Ofsted inspections, monitoring visits and improvement programmes
• Oversee organisational policies, procedures and regulatory compliance
• Ensure children's wishes, feelings and experiences are captured and used to drive service development
• Support Registered Managers with recruitment, induction, supervision, performance management and staff development
• Work alongside senior leadership to drive organisational growth and maintain consistently high standards of care
• Produce regular performance, quality and compliance reports for Directors and senior stakeholders