Join a Children’s Home and Help Shape High-Quality Care in 2026!
About the Role:
Optima Plus Recruitment is proudly recruiting on behalf of a valued client for an experienced and dedicated Independent Visitor to undertake Regulation 44 visits at a newly opening children’s home in Stoke-on-Trent. This senior consultant role involves providing independent oversight, assessment, and reporting on the welfare, safety, and quality of care provided to children and young people.
You’ll produce detailed written reports after each visit, offering impartial insights and recommendations for improvement. This is a rewarding role for a professional passionate about children’s welfare and committed to maintaining the highest care standards.
Key Responsibilities:
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Undertake weekly Regulation 44 visits to the children’s home.
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Provide independent, objective assessments of safeguarding and children’s welfare arrangements.
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Evaluate the quality of care and ensure compliance with Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Ofsted standards.
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Engage directly with children and young people to capture their views and experiences.
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Produce detailed reports with recommendations for continuous improvement.
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Review policies, key documents, and electronic records relating to care and safeguarding.
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Meet with staff, young people, and their networks, including social workers and other professionals.
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Conduct annual deep-dive inspections into key areas of practice as directed by the Senior Leadership Team.
What We’re Looking For:
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Significant experience in children’s residential care, ideally as a Registered Manager (Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare), Social Worker, Regulator, or previous Independent Visitor.
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In-depth understanding of Children’s Homes Regulations, Ofsted standards, safeguarding, and quality assurance.
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Experience in auditing, compliance monitoring, and report writing.
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Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage young people effectively.
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Awareness of GDPR and confidentiality protocols in practice.
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Flexibility to conduct visits at varying times, including evenings and weekends (desirable).
What You’ll Get:
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Competitive day rate, commensurate with experience.
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Part-time commitment – 1 day per week (approximately 1 visit and report per week).
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Initial 2-year contract with opportunities to influence and improve care standards.
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Opportunity to work independently while making a meaningful impact on children’s lives.
About Optima Plus Recruitment:
Optima Plus Recruitment specialises in staffing Residential Children’s Homes and providing senior-level professionals for children’s care services across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. We partner with leading care providers to ensure high-quality outcomes for children and young people.
Ready to Make a Difference?
If you have the expertise, independence, and passion to help improve outcomes for children in care, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and start making an impact where it matters most!
Equal Opportunities Statement:
Optima Plus Recruitment is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation