Founding Head of Care / Responsible Individual

Founding Head of Care / Responsible Individual
Children's Residential Care
Location: Flexible
Salary: Competitive + 10% Equity Stake


We are partnered with an exciting new children's residential care provider seeking an exceptional Head of Care / Responsible Individual to establish and lead the organisation alongside its founders.

This is a genuinely rare opportunity to shape a service from day one, with the autonomy to influence its strategy, culture and operational model while building a lasting legacy in children's residential care.

The organisation is backed by an established property development and investment business with extensive experience working alongside local authorities, housing associations and care providers to deliver accommodation for some of the country's most vulnerable people. To continue making a meaningful difference, they are committed to creating a service where children receive the highest standard of care, supported by strong governance, exceptional leadership and long-term investment.

With significant private funding behind the business, the focus is on building services the right way - with the resources, staffing and infrastructure needed to deliver outstanding outcomes rather than compromising on quality.
 

This appointment will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the organisation, with genuine strategic influence and a 10% equity stake reflecting the significance of the position.

Key Highlights:

• 10% equity opportunity.
• Founding leadership role with genuine autonomy and strategic influence.
• Significant private investment and long-term financial backing.
• Opportunity to design the culture, systems and operating model from the outset.
• Lead the registration and opening of the organisation's first children's homes.
• Work directly alongside the founders to shape future growth and service development.​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​This is a senior leadership role combining strategic oversight with hands-on operational delivery. Initially, you will act as both Head of Care and Responsible Individual, leading the registration and launch of the first homes before developing the wider operational leadership structure as the organisation expands.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the successful establishment of a new children's residential care provider, overseeing the registration and opening of the first homes.
• Act as Responsible Individual, ensuring full compliance with Ofsted regulations, safeguarding requirements and statutory guidance.
• Develop the organisation's operational infrastructure, including policies, governance frameworks and quality assurance systems.
• Recruit, develop and lead Registered Managers and wider operational teams, embedding a positive, values-led culture.
• Build strong relationships with Ofsted, local authorities, commissioners and sector partners.
• Drive quality, governance and continuous improvement across all services.
• Partner closely with the founders to shape operational strategy and future service development.
• Provide visible leadership throughout the start-up phase, balancing strategic direction with operational delivery.

About You:

• Significant senior leadership experience within children's residential care.
• Previous experience as a Responsible Individual with a strong understanding of Ofsted registration and compliance.
• A proven track record of opening and developing children's homes.
• Comfortable operating strategically while remaining hands-on when required.
• Experience building teams, systems and operational infrastructure.
• Entrepreneurial, ambitious and excited by the opportunity to build something from the ground up.
• A values-driven leader with an uncompromising commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes for children.
• Collaborative, influential and motivated by the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on the organisation.​​​​​​​

If you're looking for the opportunity to build something exceptional, this role offers the autonomy, backing and influence to create an organisation that sets a new benchmark for children's residential care.

Contact Details
To apply, or for more information and an informal confidential discussion please contact Madeleine Crosley at 0161 507 5060 or [email protected]
Referrals
Compass Associates Ltd is acting as a Recruitment Consultancy for this permanent vacancy. We offer a £500 voucher for successful referrals following completion of probation