Responsible Individual

Company: Rees Parent and Child Fostering

Location: Remote, with periodic travel to Worcestershire

Contract hours: Approximately 14 hours per week

Salary: £50,000 to £60,000 pro rata

Be part of something purposeful and growing Rees Parent and Child Fostering is a growing Independent Fostering Agency, registered in October 2025, and progressing steadily with the recruitment and approval of foster carers. We are a specialist service focused solely on Parent and Child placements, supporting families to stay safely together. Our first carers are due to be approved in June, with placements planned shortly thereafter. We are seeking a Responsible Individual to support the next stage of our development. This is a key strategic role, working closely with an experienced Registered Manager and leadership team to ensure the service is safe, compliant and continues to grow with strong, sustainable foundations. This is an opportunity to play a meaningful role in shaping a high quality Parent and Child fostering service, with the flexibility of a part time position.

About the role

As Responsible Individual, you will represent the organisation to Ofsted, ensuring that the service operates in full compliance with all relevant legislation, regulations and standards. You will work closely with the Registered Manager, providing oversight, support and constructive challenge, while maintaining a clear focus on safeguarding, quality of care and continuous improvement. The role is expected to be delivered across approximately 14 hours per week, with flexibility in how these hours are worked to meet the needs of the service. The scope of the role is aligned to the current size and stage of development of the service. The role also requires a degree of responsiveness, including providing senior oversight outside of core hours where necessary. The role can be undertaken remotely, with periodic travel to Worcestershire for key meetings, including Board meetings, supervision with the Registered Manager and Ofsted related activity.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the Ofsted Responsible Individual for the agency
• Ensure full compliance with the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 and National Minimum Standards for Fostering.
• Ensure the fostering service operates in line with the Statement of Purpose and that this is reflected consistently in practice, policies and service delivery
• Work in partnership with the Registered Manager to ensure the service is safe, well run and delivering high quality care
• Provide regular, structured reflective supervision to the Registered Manager (at least monthly)
• Maintain clear oversight of safeguarding practice, ensuring robust and timely responses to any concerns
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators to support service development and improvement
• Lead and oversee quality assurance and audit activity, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and driving continuous improvement across the service
• Support the service in preparing for Ofsted inspections and ongoing regulatory requirements
• Ensure policies, procedures and practice remain up to date and aligned with legislation and best practice
• Promote a culture of reflective practice, learning and continuous improvement
• Maintain oversight of the services viability and sustainability, ensuring sufficient resources are in place to deliver safe and effective care
• Contribute to the strategic development and sustainable growth of the service
• Support recruitment processes for key roles where appropriate
• Act as Agency Decision Maker, considering fostering panel recommendations and making final decisions regarding the approval, review and deregistration of foster carers
• Contribute to out of hours arrangements on a shared and proportionate basis, providing senior oversight and support in relation to safeguarding concerns and notifiable incidents where required.

About you

We are looking for an experienced and strategically minded leader who brings:

Essential Experience

• Previous experience as a Responsible Individual, or significant senior leadership experience within fostering services
• Proven experience of providing strategic leadership, governance, and oversight within regulated services
• Experience of leading service development, organisational change, or establishing new ways of working
• Experience of working collaboratively with Directors, Registered Managers, and external stakeholders, including regulators and partner agencies

Regulatory, Safeguarding Compliance Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of fostering regulations, National Minimum Standards, and Ofsted expectations
• Good understanding of safeguarding frameworks, child development, and effective risk management
• Experience of maintaining regulatory compliance, inspection readiness, and contributing to Ofsted inspections
• Understanding of incident management, notification processes, and quality assurance systems within regulated services

Leadership, Governance Service Oversight

• Ability to provide effective strategic oversight, governance, and accountability within a fostering service, ensuring compliance with regulatory and quality standards
• Strong understanding of the Responsible Individual role and statutory responsibilities within an independent fostering agency, including financial oversight, governance, and business sustainability
• Ability to ensure services are safe, well-led, and effectively resourced, with oversight of quality, safeguarding, and operational performance
• Experience of developing, implementing, and reviewing policies, procedures, and quality assurance frameworks

Skills Personal Attributes

• Strong communication, relationship-building, and influencing skills
• Confidence in making strategic decisions that support service growth, quality, and sustainability
• Ability to coach, support, and positively influence senior leaders and managers
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to manage complexity and risk effectively

Qualifications Management qualification (or equivalent senior leadership experience ideally within fostering services or children's services).

What we can offer you

• Salary: £50,000 to £60,000 FTE, depending on experience (pro rata)
• Flexible, part time role (approximately 14 hours per week with scope to increase as the agency grows)
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata), rising with length of service
• Company pension
• Remote working with planned and purposeful travel
• Opportunity to shape and influence a growing service
• Collaborative and supportive leadership team
• A role with real purpose and impact

Most importantly You will be joining a service at an exciting stage of development, where your experience, insight and leadership will directly shape how the agency grows and develops. Your contribution will be valued, and your influence will be visible.

Our commitment

Rees Parent and Child Fostering is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments will be subject to appropriate checks, including an enhanced DBS. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Interested?

If you would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact Melody Douglas on 07818 616160. To apply, please submit your CV along with a short covering statement outlining your suitability for the role.