Location: Newhaven, East Sussex
Salary: Competitive: £60,000 - £65,000
Works in Partnership With: Registered Manager & Deputy Manager.
Job Purpose
The Responsible Individual (RI) holds statutory accountability for the governance, regulation, and overall performance of the children’s home in line with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Quality Standards.
The RI provides strategic oversight and supervision of the Registered Manager while working in partnership with the Quality and Compliance Manager to ensure robust monitoring, safeguarding assurance, and regulatory compliance.
The role is focused on governance, accountability, and regulatory fitness — not day-to-day operational management.
Governance Structure
The Responsible Individual sits at the head of the governance framework and works collaboratively with:
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Registered Manager (RM) – responsible for day-to-day operational management.
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Quality and Compliance Manager (QCM) – provides supportive oversight, quality assurance monitoring, and advisory escalation support to both the RI and RM.
The QCM strengthens oversight systems, but statutory accountability remains with the Responsible Individual.
Key Responsibilities
1. Statutory and Regulatory Accountability
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Ensure full compliance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
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Maintain oversight of regulatory notifications and safeguarding reporting.
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Ensure the home operates within its Statement of Purpose.
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Demonstrate fitness to Ofsted as Responsible Individual.
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Maintain sufficient oversight to satisfy Regulation 26 requirements.
2. Strategic Oversight of the Registered Manager
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Provide formal supervision and professional oversight to the Registered Manager.
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Hold the Registered Manager accountable for quality of care and operational performance.
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Support performance improvement and development planning.
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Ensure adequate staffing structures and safer recruitment practices.
The RI does not duplicate operational management but ensures it is effectively delivered.
3. Partnership with the Quality and Compliance Manager
The Responsible Individual will:
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Receive and review quality assurance reports and audit findings from the QCM.
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Consider risk alerts, safeguarding themes, and compliance trends identified through monitoring.
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Use QCM feedback to inform governance decisions and strategic improvements.
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Support a culture of constructive challenge and continuous improvement.
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Ensure appropriate action is taken in response to audit or compliance findings.
The QCM acts as a supportive escalation layer; the RI retains ultimate accountability for regulatory compliance and governance decisions.
4. Safeguarding and Risk Oversight
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Maintain strategic oversight of safeguarding systems.
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Ensure safeguarding thresholds are applied correctly.
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Review serious incidents and patterns of concern.
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Ensure external agencies are notified appropriately.
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Promote a strong safeguarding culture across the organisation.
5. Inspection and External Engagement
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Act as primary governance representative with Ofsted.
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Liaise with commissioners, local authorities, and stakeholders.
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Support inspection preparation and improvement planning.
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Ensure at least a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating is achieved and sustained.
6. On-Call and Escalation Role
The RI provides:
Final governance oversight where significant risk arises.
Strategic decision-making in serious safeguarding matters.
Direction where regulatory or reputational risk is identified.
Support to the Registered Manager and QCM during critical incidents.
Requirements
Essential
Significant senior experience in children’s social care (preferably residential).
Strong knowledge of Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and Ofsted frameworks.
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent).
Proven safeguarding leadership experience.
Strong governance and decision-making skills.
Desirable
Previous experience as a Responsible Individual.
Experience supporting new registrations or service improvement.
Understanding of trauma-informed and therapeutic care models
Salary description
£60000.00 - £65000.00 per year