Responsible Individual (RI)
Reports to: Director
Location: Service based
Hours of work: Core hours 40 hours per week (flexibility will be required in accordance with organisational requirements)
Responsible for:
- Registered Managers (RM; and Deputy Managers (DM) when covering for RM’s)
- Ensuring the delivery of support and care to children living in the service
- Safe operation of the service in strict accordance with Ofsted and governing regulations
- Multi-site management (as assigned by the Director)
Main Purpose of the Role
- The RI’s role is to supervise the homes’ managers and their management; to supervise the delivery of a quality children’s care service, ensuring that all regulatory (Ofsted) requirements are consistently met.
- To ensure that the “registered persons” – the registered provider or RM of a home – act at all times in line with regulations.
- The RI will provide constant guidance on how to carry out what is required by the regulations to the “registered persons”.
Key Purposes of the Role:
- Ensure the effective discharge of all legal responsibilities for the setup, registration, and operation of the children’s homes.
- Hold the registered provider and RM accountable for maintaining the highest standards of care, providing guidance on how to achieve such standards.
- Provide effective supervision of the RM’s practice and performance, enabling continuous review and improvement of care for children.
- Provide comprehensive support to the RM to fulfil the aims and objectives outlined in the children’s home statement of purpose.
- Ensure the RM and homes have all necessary resources for optimal service delivery.
- Provide records of supervision to the RM and Directors in accordance with Regulation 33(4)(b).
- Provide a formal appraisal of the RM’s performance and fitness to carry out their role at least annually. This should include feedback from professionals and, where appropriate, children in care.
- Implement performance management processes where needed, ensuring timely and structured improvement plans.
Legal Responsibilities
- The RI is legally responsible for the children’s home, ensuring compliance with the Children’s Homes Regulations and associated legislation at all times.
Supervision Support
- Formal recorded supervisions including practice discussions, feedback, support, and target setting.
- Ongoing formal and informal discussions for decision-making, reflection, and planning.
- Facilitating support requested by the RM (virtual guidance, resources, or physical presence).
- Overseeing RM performance through audits, feedback, complaints, compliments, and collaboration with professionals and leadership.
Support
Support the RM and DM as required, including:
- Requesting second opinions on home-related matters
- Providing guidance, mentoring, and advice
- Supplying templates and resources
- Offering additional supervision where required
- Providing physical presence in the home when needed
- Supporting on-call duties
- Assisting with staffing queries and concerns
- Supporting preparation for meetings and inspections
- Advocating for the needs of the home
- Assisting with child-related matters (referrals, incidents, care plans)
Formal Appraisal
- A structured process completed by both the RM and RI/Director assessing performance and fitness.
- Aligned with:
- Statement of purpose
- Children’s Homes Regulations
- Organisational policies and procedures
- Conducted with support from HR and senior leadership.
Performance Management
- Led by the Director in collaboration with the RI.
- Includes identifying concerns, providing support, and monitoring improvement.
- Ensures accountability and sustained performance standards.
Policies and Procedures
- The RI agrees to follow, promote, and champion all organisational policies and procedures as outlined in the employee handbook.
- Maintain up-to-date professional knowledge in line with RI role requirements.
RI’s Priority Tasks for the First 3 Months
Support and guide the registration, documentation, development, and supervision of the first two homes (Tanglewood and Virginia House).
Key Responsibilities:
- Support the Director in preparing and reviewing:
- Statement of Purpose
- Location Risk Assessment
- Children’s Guides
- Behaviour Management Plan
- Safeguarding Policies
- All operational policies and procedures
Operational Responsibilities
- Advise on creating child-focused, child-friendly homes in both layout and environment.
- Liaise with the Director and RM with commissioning teams to ensure safe occupancy.
- Guide the assessment, transition, and admission of children.
- Support recruitment, induction, and training of staff (RM, DM, RSWs).
- Contribute to future operational development.
- Act as RI initially for 2 homes, increasing up to a maximum of 6 homes, fulfilling all duties required by Ofsted regulations.
Pay: £500.00 per day
Work Location: In person
