Strategic Governance, Safeguarding & Regulatory Oversight Lead
Location:Across all UK regionsSalary:Competitive rates (dependent on experience and qualifications)Job Type:Contract basis (Project-based)Hours of work:TypicallyMonday to FridayStart Date:Subject to satisfactory Enhanced DBS (including Children’s Barred List check)
Appointed by:Registered Provider / Board of Directors
Regulatory Framework:
Care Standards Act 2000
Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015
Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations
Ofsted Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF)
About Delphi Care Solutions
Delphi Care Solutions supports Ofsted-regulated services frominitialconcept through to safe, sustainable operational practice. We work alongside providers at every stage of their journey — from registration and governance set-up to ongoing regulatory oversight and inspection readiness.
Many providers appoint an experienced Responsible Individual (RI) to strengthen their governance arrangements and ensure robust safeguarding oversight. Delphi offers consultancy-led RI support that brings extensive sector knowledge, regulatoryexpertise, and strategic challenge, helping providersoperatewith confidence while keeping children’s safety at the centre of every decision.
Our ethos is simple: we partner with providers who genuinely care and are committed to making a meaningful difference in children’s lives. We do not offer superficial compliance. Instead, we deliver structured, inspection-led support that embeds strong systems, transparent governance, and defensible safeguarding practice.
Through proactive oversight, professional challenge, and continuous quality assurance, we help ensure that services are not only compliant, but consistently inspection-ready and delivering the highest possible standard of care.
Role Positioning
Under the Care Standards Act 2000, the Responsible Individual sits within the provider’s legal accountability framework.
The RI reports directly to the Registered Provider or Board of Directors and acts as the provider’s regulatory and safeguarding representative to Ofsted.
This role extends beyond compliance monitoring. The RI provides:
Independent governance oversight
Strategic safeguarding leadership
Inspection-readiness assurance aligned to SCCIF
Provider-level accountability
Constructive professional challenge
The RI ensures the service is not simply compliant, but defensible, sustainable, andchild-centred.
Core Accountability
The Responsible Individual is accountable for ensuring that the children’s home:
Operates lawfully under all relevant legislation
Meets and sustains the Quality Standards
Maintains safe, proportionate safeguarding systems
Remains inspection-ready under the Social Care Common Inspection Framework
Delivers measurable outcomes for children
The RIrepresentsthe provider in regulatory engagement and must be able toevidenceoversight, scrutiny, and challenge.
Strategic Functions
A. Governance & Regulatory Assurance
Maintain provider-level oversight systems
Monitor trends in incidents, restraints, missing episodes,complaintsand safeguarding
Oversee Regulation 44 independence and scrutiny quality
Review and approve Regulation 45 Quality of Care reports
Ensure Regulation 40 notifications areappropriateandtimely
Maintain a live compliance and risk register
Stress-test systems prior to inspection
The RI ensures governance systems are proactive rather than reactive.
Oversight is based on documentation, disclosures, and information made available by the service at the time of review. The providerretainsultimate legal responsibility for operational delivery and regulatory compliance.
B.Safeguarding Leadership
The RI:
Holds ultimate safeguarding accountability on behalf of the provider
Scrutinises serious incidents and allegations
Ensuresappropriate externalreferrals (LADO, police, placing authority)
Monitors learning and practice improvement
Ensures safeguarding decisions are evidence-based and defensible
Where safeguarding concerns arise and provider action isdeemedinadequate, the RI reserves the right to elevate concerns to Ofsted or relevant safeguarding authorities in line with statutory responsibilities.
Delphi Care Solutionsmaintainsazero toleranceapproach to poor safeguarding practice. Children’s safety must never be compromised by operational, financial, or reputational considerations.
C. Leadership Oversight & Culture
Provide structured supervision to the Registered Manager
Offer professional challenge and performance scrutiny
Identifyearly indicators of drift, fatigue, or compliance risk
Monitor workforce stability, safer recruitment, and training compliance
Ensure the Statement of Purpose reflects operational reality
The RI supports a culture of transparency, reflection, and accountability.
D. Inspection Readiness & Risk Anticipation
The RI ensures the homeremainsprepared for inspection by:
Reviewing evidence trails against SCCIF judgement areas
Overall experiences and progress of children
How well children are helped and protected
Effectiveness of leaders and managers
Evaluating documentation quality and regulatory language
Identifying vulnerabilities before inspection
Ensuring improvement plans are outcome-focused
Inspection readiness is continuous, not seasonal.
Measurable Performance Indicators
The effectiveness of the RI function may beevidencedby:
No avoidable regulatory breaches
Timely andaccurate statutory notifications
Reduction in recurring safeguarding themes
Consistent Regulation 44 quality and independence
Clear, evidence-based Regulation 45 reports
Demonstrable improvement following action plans
Positive inspection feedbackregardinggovernance and oversight
The RI provides structured oversight reporting to the provider quarterly (minimum).
Independence & Conflict of Interest
The RI operates independently of day-to-day management
The RI will not undertake direct operational shift delivery
Any prior consultancy involvement will be transparently declared
Clear boundaries will be maintained between improvement consultancy and statutory oversight
Financial or professional conflicts of interest will be formally declared
The RI retains professional authority to challenge the provider where necessary.
Professional Boundaries
As a consultant:
The RI provides governance oversight, not operational management
The Registered Manager retains responsibility for day-to-day running
The provider retains ultimate legal responsibility
The RI role does not guarantee inspection outcomes
Oversight is based on information disclosed and made available at the time of review
Fees reflect professional expertise and governance oversight. Inspection outcomes remain in responsibility of the provider.
Professional Requirements
Enhanced DBS including Children’s Barred List check
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management (Children’s Residential) or demonstrable equivalent senior leadership experience.
Significant senior leadership experience in children’s residential care
Deep knowledge of:
Care Standards Act 2000
Children’s Homes Regulations 2015
Quality Standards
Ofsted Social Care Common Inspection Framework
Strong safeguarding expert ie
Ability to evidence governance scrutiny
Ongoing CPD
Time Commitment – Example Structure
Minimum: X days per month (dependent on client’s needs)
Monthly Registered Manager supervision
Quarterly governance review
Attendance during inspection
Immediate availability for serious safeguarding incidents
Travel to services across UK regions will be required. Mileage and reasonable travel expenses may be chargeable in line with the agreed consultancy contract.
Ethical Statement
The Responsible Individual’s primary duty is children’s safety and welfare.
Commercial interests must never override safeguarding responsibilities.
Delphi Care Solutions will not support or remain engaged with services where safeguarding standards fall below acceptable statutory thresholds without clear, measurable improvement action.
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