Responsible Individual (Children's Residential Care)

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