Responsible Individual - Children's Home
Responsible Individual - Children's Home
Location: Winchester, HampshireSalary: £300-£400 (DOE & Qualifications)
Working hours: 1-2 days per month pre-registration. 1-2 days per week post-registration, hybrid working option
Annual Leave: Calculated on a pro-rata basis in accordance with working hours
Sagewood House is a new four-bed children’s residential care home in Winchester, dedicated to providing the highest standards of care for children with emotional and behavioural needs. We are seeking a highly experienced Responsible Individual to lead its setup, Ofsted registration, and ongoing management.
In this role, you will ensure regulatory compliance and exceptional care standards, both during the initial setup and throughout the home’s long-term operation. Your knowledge and experience will enable you to mentor and advise on best practice in order to develop and maintain a culture of excellence.
This role requires a highly organised, proactive individual with excellent communication and analytical skills. Experience in managing a children’s home and working as a Responsible Individual is essential.
What We Offer:- Performance bonuses & annual pay review
- Company pension scheme
- Ongoing CPD, including leadership development and specialist training
- Enhanced DBS covered
- Free parking / On-site parking
- Referral programme
- Beautifully refurbished, comfortable workplace
- Hybrid working option – post-registration: one onsite visit per week
- A unique opportunity to play a vital role in ensuring the provision of excellent care
- Supportive working environment with a small-scale provider dedicated to high-quality care and staff well-being
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Strategy – Provide strategic oversight for the establishment, registration, and management of children’s homes, ensuring high standards of care.Compliance & Standards – Ensure homes operate in line with all legal, regulatory, and organisational requirements, maintaining readiness for inspections.
Safeguarding & Welfare – Prioritise child protection and well-being, ensuring children receive high-quality care tailored to their individual needs.
Performance & Quality Assurance – Oversee home performance, using internal and external reports to drive continuous improvement.
Team Development & Supervision – Support, mentor, and hold Registered Managers accountable, ensuring staff are well-trained and continuously developing.
Stakeholder & Regulatory Liaison – Build and maintain strong relationships with external agencies, inspection bodies, and local authorities to support best outcomes for children.
Operational Management – Oversee placement stability, resource allocation, and administrative systems, ensuring effective and efficient service delivery.
Reporting & Accountability to the Service Provider - Report regularly to the Service Provider on resource adequacy, ensuring they are informed about service quality, safety, and effectiveness.
Experience required:- At least 2 years’ experience as a Registered Manager of a children’s home, with a strong track record of delivering high-quality, child-centred care.
- At least 2 years’ experience as a Responsible Individual of a children’s home
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent).
- Enhanced DBS Disclosure
- Proven Expertise – Extensive experience as both a Responsible Individual and a Registered Manager in children’s residential care, ensuring high standards of leadership, compliance, and operational excellence.
- Regulatory Knowledge – In-depth understanding of Ofsted regulations, child protection standards, and compliance requirements, ensuring homes meet and exceed expectations.
- Leadership & Strategic Oversight – Strong leadership skills with experience in mentoring, developing, and holding Registered Managers accountable for performance and quality.
- Safeguarding & Child Welfare – A strong commitment to safeguarding, child protection, and promoting the well-being of looked-after children, ensuring a culture of safety and stability.
- Multi-Agency Collaboration – Skilled in working with local authorities, Ofsted, and external partners, driving improvements and ensuring best practice.
- Communication & Relationship Management – Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, effectively engaging with teams, external stakeholders, and regulatory bodies.
- Commitment to Excellence – Dedicated to fostering a high-quality, child-centred environment, promoting children’s rights, voice, and participation in their care.
Sagewood House is a values-driven organisation committed to well-being, collaboration, and excellence in care. As part of our leadership team, you will play a vital role in shaping a new service, creating a nurturing environment, building positive relationships, and empowering children to thrive.
If you’re looking for a rewarding role where your leadership will have a significant and lasting impact, we would love to hear from you.