Job Description:

Responsible Individual (Children’s Residential Care)

Location: Derbyshire & West Midlands
Salary: £350 – £500 per day (DOE)
Hours: Part-time (up to 16 hours per week)
Contract: Consultancy / Self-Employed preferred (flexible for the right candidate)
Advertised by: Diamond Search Recruitment

About the Opportunity

Diamond Search Recruitment is proud to be partnering with a well-established and expanding children’s residential care provider to recruit an experienced Responsible Individual (RI).

This is a senior, strategic role offering the opportunity to work across two services:

A well-established home in Derby

A developing service in Sutton Coldfield progressing through registration

The position is ideally suited to a highly experienced care professional seeking a flexible, high-impact consultancy role where you can drive compliance, quality, and outcomes for children.

The Role

As the Responsible Individual, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that services operate to the highest standards, in full compliance with:

Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015

Quality Standards

Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF)

You will provide strategic oversight, leadership support, and governance—ensuring that children receive safe, nurturing, and trauma-informed care.

You will also act as the key liaison between the organisation, Registered Managers, and Ofsted.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance & Governance

• Ensure full compliance with children’s home regulations and quality standards
• Oversee adherence to the Social Care Common Inspection Framework
• Monitor and ensure timely statutory notifications
• Support homes through Ofsted inspections and post-inspection action plans
• Maintain compliant Statements of Purpose and policies

Leadership & Management Support

• Provide mentoring, challenge, and professional guidance to Registered Managers
• Support leadership development and strong team culture
• Contribute to performance management and service improvement
• Offer supervision where required

Safeguarding & Quality Assurance

• Maintain strong oversight of safeguarding practice across all homes
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding legislation and local procedures
• Monitor incidents, complaints, and allegations, ensuring learning is embedded
• Review Regulation 44 reports and Regulation 45 reviews
• Conduct quality assurance visits and implement improvement plans

Operational Oversight

• Support occupancy planning and placement decisions
• Monitor budget use and resource allocation
• Promote child-centred and trauma-informed care
• Ensure children's voices influence service development
• Drive continuous improvement through learning and feedback

About You

Essential Experience

• Significant experience within children’s residential care
• In-depth knowledge of Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards
• Strong understanding of the SCCIF framework
• Proven safeguarding expertise
• Experience in quality assurance and service improvement
• Strong leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills

Desirable

• Previous experience as a Responsible Individual or Registered Manager
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management (or equivalent)
• Experience overseeing multiple homes
• DSL Level 3 safeguarding qualification
• Experience supporting or supervising Registered Managers

What’s On Offer

Competitive day rate (£350–£500 depending on experience)

Flexible, part-time working (approx. 2 days per week)

Opportunity to shape and influence high-quality care services

Work with an ambitious and growth-focused organisation

Hybrid autonomy with meaningful on-site impact

Apply Now

If you are an experienced senior leader in children’s residential care looking for a flexible, strategic role where you can make a genuine difference, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today or contact Diamond Search Recruitment for a confidential discussion.