Responsible Individual – Children's Residential Services

Location: Derby, DE24
Salary: £60,000–£65,000 per annum + additional incentives
Homes: 3 Children's Residential Homes – 1 Solo Placement, 1 x 2-bed and 1 x 3-bed (all EBD)

Benefits

• Competitive salary of £60,000–£65,000 per annum
• Additional performance-related incentives available and open to discussion with candidates
• 28 days annual leave
• Opportunity to oversee a portfolio of three established children's residential homes
• Two homes currently rated Good by Ofsted
• Opportunity to lead the improvement journey of a home currently rated Requires Improvement
• Senior leadership position with significant influence over quality, compliance and service development
• Opportunity to support and develop Registered Managers across multiple services
• Scope to shape and implement organisational strategies and continuous improvement plans

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 Responsibilities

• Act as the Ofsted Responsible Individual across three 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 full 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 the three homes and identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement
• Lead and support the improvement journey of the home currently rated Requires Improvement
• Maintain and build on the Good Ofsted ratings across the other two 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

To apply for this exceptional opportunity please call Tabitha at Purosearch on 01904 570050 or send your CV direct to t.wagstaff@purosearch.com