Responsible Individual

Job Title: Residential Operations Manager / Responsible Individual (Ofsted)
Location: Solent, Hampshire, United Kingdom
Salary: Salary Range/DOE

Job Description:
As a Residential Operations Manager / Responsible Individual (Ofsted), you will provide senior operational leadership across residential children’s homes, acting as the Responsible Individual to Ofsted and serving as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). This Residential Operations Manager / Responsible Individual (Ofsted) role is central to ensuring consistently high standards of therapeutic parenting, strong supervision, and effective line management of Registered Managers—helping to embed a positive culture and deliver outstanding care outcomes.

You will be responsible for the overall management of homes and premises to ensure childcare is delivered to the highest standard in line with the Children’s Homes Regulations and company expectations. The Residential Operations Manager / Responsible Individual (Ofsted) role also includes supporting strategic growth, maintaining safe and well-run environments, and ensuring accurate records and timely reporting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide overall operational management as Residential Operations Manager / Responsible Individual (Ofsted), ensuring homes meet regulatory and legislative requirements
• Act as the Responsible Individual for Ofsted and maintain a strong management presence as Residential Operations Manager / Responsible Individual (Ofsted)
• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the organisation, managing safeguarding concerns, allegations and referrals appropriately and in a timely manner
• Ensure safeguarding policies, procedures and training remain current, understood and embedded across all homes
• Line manage Registered Managers, ensuring professional conduct in line with company policies, expectations and code of conduct
• Ensure comprehensive individual plans are developed and implemented, and that care is delivered in accordance with those plans
• Embed the PACE / DDP ethos into daily practice across homes
• Monitor key documents (including rota and rota balance) and ensure homes follow their statement of purpose
• Prioritise safeguarding and empower Registered Managers to reach their full potential
• Oversee adult management: deploy adults economically and efficiently, support a safe work environment, and address poor or unsafe practice
• Maintain physical resources: ensure expenditure is authorised and accounted for; ensure premises, grounds and vehicles are safe and fit for purpose
• Ensure records are completed to a high standard and kept up to date, with timely communication and reporting
• Contribute to growth and development: support strategic planning, new homes and services, and represent the organisation positively with external partners, placing authorities and regulators
• Keep up to date with childcare practice, research, and policy/legislation; agree personal development targets with Registered Managers
• Participate in the senior on-call rota and undertake other reasonable duties as required

Requirements:

• Proven senior operational leadership experience within residential childcare (or closely related regulated settings)
• Strong safeguarding leadership capability, including acting as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
• Ability to act as Residential Operations Manager / Responsible Individual (Ofsted) with confidence, integrity and accountability
• Demonstrable experience of line managing Registered Managers and developing teams to deliver high standards
• Strong understanding of regulatory expectations, statements of purpose, and compliance requirements
• Ability to embed therapeutic approaches and ensure individual plans are delivered consistently
• Excellent record-keeping, reporting, and communication skills
• Commitment to continuous professional development and ongoing training

Vetro Recruitment acts as an employment business when supplying temporary staff and as an employment agency when introducing candidates for permanent employment with a client. Vetro is an equal opportunities employer and decisions are made on merit alone.