Children's Responsible Individual

Duties and Responsibilities:

Ensure that all legal responsibilities associated with the opening, registration and operation of the Homes are effectively discharged.

Supervise, support, and hold to account the RM’s of the homes.

Ensure the children placed in the homes are receiving a standard of care that is compliant with the homes Statement of Purpose and Function and Children’s Guide

Visit the homes on a regular basis to establish a meaningful relationship and extensive knowledge of each child placed, their Care Plans and EHC plans

Ensure the homes are compliant with all relevant legislation and regulations and remain up to date with any changes.

Ensure the external monitoring of practice within the homes through your own supervision of the RM’s, scrutiny of the Regulation 44 and 45 reports and any other reports relating to the home, including Ofsted inspections and compliance visits with local authorities.

Ensure each home has a continuous improvement and development plan which is implemented, monitored, and evaluated.

Attend children’s and staff meetings periodically.

Maintain your own CPD and attend and evaluate the delivery of training to staff for effectiveness.

Ensure and evidence that all staff are sufficiently and appropriately trained, can evidence the relevant skills and experiences to undertake the roles. Ensure they all undertake CPD and keep abreast of new legislation and practice.

Develop and establish provision for care, accommodation, and support through working with existing partners and building links with other partners and agencies as appropriate.

Ensure that there is effective management and resources allocation within the context of placement matching and stability.

Ensure homes are fully prepared and ready for regular Ofsted inspections.

Ensure that electronic and paper administration systems are current and appropriate, that recorded information is accurate and that timely data is provided by RM’s.

Assist in the appointment of staff and oversee Induction, Discipline, Capability and Grievance procedures

You should maintain evidence that those employed have sufficient training, experience and skills to undertake the role.

You must ensure that you and staff undertake continual professional development to keep abreast of new legislation and practice. 

The LSCB in which the home operates will be responsible for investigating any Safeguarding concerns, but you must be responsible for ensuring, as far as is possible and within your control, that allegations are handled and investigated fairly, as quickly as is possible without compromise and above all else in a manner that protects children. It is your role to be alert to patterns and concerns and proactively ensure attention to safeguarding children’s welfare remains paramount. 

As an RI, you must ensure that managers and staff understand why children’s records must be maintained and that those records are accurate and constitute a narrative of the time that the child spends within your care. 

Above all, you must lead in a way that ensures Managers and staff provide a home where the children: - 

• are safeguarded and helped to learn and understand why certain restrictions may be put in place to ensure that they are safe and well cared for by those looking after them. 
• know that they are listened to, their opinions are valued and that their feelings are respected. 
• know that and any concerns or complaints they may have will transparently and fairly investigated – not just in your opinion but, when asked by an OFSTED inspector or Regulation 44 visitor, the children’s opinion and

1. are clear on why they are living there and what plans are in place (and to which they have contributed) to ensure that their health, education and welfare needs are met and reviewed; and 
2. they also need to be assured that all staff are clear about these matters too. 
3. To lead on the organisation’s applications to tendering and or framework processes as applied by Local Authorities as part of their commissioning processes. 

Any other duties as may be required. 

Responsible Individual Worker Requirements:

Knowledge, Skills and Experience: 

• Substantial experience of managing care planning practice in children's homes. A wealth of Ofsted experience identifying, assessing, care planning, delivering, monitoring and evaluating outcomes. 

• Extensive knowledge of law and practice relating to looked after children. 
• Knowledge of the law, regulations and standards and how to apply them
• Good understanding of safeguarding processes
• Good leadership and management skills including financial management

• Have the business and management skills to supervise the management of the service efficiently and effectively. 

• A minimum of two years' experience in roles requiring the supervision and management of staff working in a care role. 

• You will ensure that the Registered Home Manager provides a high standard of consistent care/ service in accordance with legislation, central government guidance, regulations and standards and the policies and procedures. 

• You will have autonomy in the decisions and management of placements within the Residential provision and liaise with the Senior Management Team in formulating jointly agreed plans to ensure a coordinated approach to services for children and young people. 

• The successful applicant will hold a minimum of a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare.

Full Job Description Available upon request 

Salary will be DOE