Location: Central Leeds & Lancaster
Salary: £22,711 per annum
Hours: 20 hours per week, Monday-Friday
Contract: Permanent, Part-Time
Benefits: Monthly car allowance + mileage/expenses
Are you an experienced children's residential care professional with a strong understanding of compliance, safeguarding and the Children's Homes Regulations 2015?
We are looking for an experienced Compliance Officer / Regulation 44 Inspector to join a growing children's residential care organisation, carrying out independent Regulation 44 visits across an allocated cluster of homes in Central Leeds and the Lancaster area.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with Registered Manager, regulatory, quality assurance or independent visitor experience who wants to use their expertise to drive continuous improvement and ensure children receive consistently high-quality care.
The Role
This is a home-based position with regular travel to an allocated group of children's homes.
As a Compliance Officer / Regulation 44 Inspector, you will be responsible for carrying out robust, independent monitoring visits in accordance with Regulation 44 of the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015.
You will assess the quality of care being provided, identify areas for improvement and provide Registered Managers with constructive support and challenge to ensure regulatory standards and best practice are consistently maintained.
Key Responsibilities
* Carry out regular Regulation 44 independent monitoring visits across an allocated cluster of children's homes.
* Review the quality of care, safeguarding practice and outcomes for children and young people.
* Assess compliance against the Children's Homes Regulations 2015 and associated guidance.
* Speak directly with children and young people to understand their experiences and ensure their views are reflected.
* Review records, care planning, safeguarding documentation, incidents, complaints and other relevant information.
* Identify areas of good practice, non-compliance and opportunities for continuous improvement.
* Provide constructive challenge, guidance and support to Registered Managers.
* Produce detailed, factual and evidence-based Regulation 44 reports.
* Make clear recommendations and ensure appropriate follow-up actions are identified.
* Monitor progress against recommendations and support homes in maintaining high standards.
* Work collaboratively with Registered Managers, social workers, placing authorities, parents/carers and other relevant professionals.
* Maintain a strong focus on safeguarding, children's welfare and positive outcomes.
* Ensure health and safety and wider compliance requirements are being appropriately maintained.
What We're Looking For
We are particularly interested in candidates who have substantial experience within children's residential care, regulation, compliance or quality assurance.
Essential Experience & Knowledge
* Significant experience working within children's homes, ideally at Registered Manager level, or within a regulatory/compliance role such as Ofsted.
* Previous experience undertaking Regulation 44 / Independent Visitor visits, or working in a closely related compliance monitoring role.
* Strong understanding of the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and associated Quality Standards and guidance.
* Up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding legislation and children's social care practice.
* Experience communicating effectively with children and young people.
* Ability to engage professionally with a wide range of stakeholders, including social workers, local authorities, parents/carers and care professionals.
* Good understanding of health and safety and compliance requirements within children's residential settings.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce detailed, evidence-based reports.
* Strong attention to detail and the confidence to provide professional challenge where required.
* A consistent, professional and objective approach.
* Strong listening and interpersonal skills.
* Resilience and the ability to manage challenging situations effectively.
* Good IT skills, including experience using Microsoft Office packages.
* Full UK driving licence and access to a car.
Desirable
* Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare.
* Experience working within therapeutic children's residential care.
* Knowledge of therapeutic parenting approaches.
* Previous experience in quality assurance, auditing or independent monitoring.
What's on Offer?
* £22,711 per annum pro rata for 20 hours per week.
* Monday-Friday working pattern.
* Monthly car allowance.
* Mileage and business expenses covered.
* Permanent, part-time position.
* Company pension scheme.
* Life assurance.
* Healthcare and wellbeing benefits.
* Laptop and mobile phone provided.
* Comprehensive training and ongoing professional development.
* Opportunity to play a key role in improving the quality of care provided to vulnerable children and young people.
Why Join?
This is an opportunity to take your children's residential care experience into a role where you can have a direct impact across multiple homes, supporting Registered Managers while independently monitoring the quality of care children receive.
You will be joining an organisation committed to providing high-quality, therapeutic residential care and improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.
If you have experience as a Registered Manager, Regulation 44 Visitor, Independent Visitor, Quality Assurance professional, Ofsted/regulatory professional or similar, we'd be keen to hear from you.
Location: Central Leeds & Lancaster
Salary: £22,711 per annum
Hours: 20 hours per week
Contract: Permanent, Part-Time
Search is an equal opportunities recruiter and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified applicants, regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age
Salary description
£22711.00 - £22711.00 per year