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Care home manager

Alternative titles for this job include

Care home managers are responsible for the leadership and day-to-day running of residential care homes.

Average salary (a year)

£20,000 Starter

to

£54,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

39 to 41 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become a care home manager

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like health and social care management before applying for a place on a graduate trainee scheme.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

Apprenticeship

You may be able to start on a higher apprenticeship for children, young people and families managers, or care leadership and management, then do further on-the-job training.

You could do a leader in adult care higher apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You can apply for training if you're working in social care, for example as a deputy manager.

It's recommended that you start the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services within 3 months of taking up your job. You'll need to complete it within 2 to 3 years.

There are 6 pathways to choose from, which are:

  • Management of Adult Services
  • Management of Adult Residential Services
  • Practice in Adult Services
  • Management of Children and Young People's Services
  • Management of Children and Young People's Residential Services
  • Practice in Children and Young People's Services

The previous qualifications required to work as a care home manager are still valid if you have them but are no longer available to study. Your employer will now support you to do the Level 5 Diploma.

You'll be expected to already have qualifications relevant to the care services your home provides, for example:

  • NVQ Level 4 in Health and Social Care
  • nursing, physiotherapy or occupational therapy qualification and registration
  • social work qualification and registration

Check the Skills for Care advice on meeting workforce regulations for more details.

More Information

Further information

You can get more advice about working as a care home manager from Think Care Careers.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • knowledge of psychology
  • customer service skills
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • knowledge of English language
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • the ability to understand people’s reactions
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As care home manager, you will work to strict legal requirements including health and safety to:

  • provide information, advice and support to residents, families and staff
  • promote residents' rights and duties and encourage them to join activities
  • help residents to access local services and take part in the local community
  • monitor business performance and quality of care
  • agree contracts, budgeting and fundraising
  • develop policies and practices and keep confidentiality
  • recruit, train and supervise staff

As a children's home manager you may:

  • look after the welfare of children in your care
  • make sure that quality standards are met
  • enable access to local education, health and other services
  • promote children's rights and duties
  • take part in care planning, statutory case reviews and conferences
  • develop positive behaviour and discipline
  • respond to child protection concerns and complaints

Working environment

You could work at an adult care home or at a children's care home.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a regional manager within a large healthcare company or charity. You could also work as a freelance consultant or a care home inspector.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Registered Manager for Looked after children's home

  • Wage: Competitive salary Unspecified
  • Location: Macclesfield

Apprentice Care Manager (Night Shift)

  • Wage: £316.80 - £378.00 Weekly
  • Location: Southampton
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Leadership for Health and Social Care and Young People's Service Level 5 Diploma CACHE

  • Provider: BARNSLEY COLLEGE
  • Start date: 04 September 2021
  • Location: Barnsley

Youth Work Apprenticeship (Intermediate, Advanced Level 5)

  • Provider: BLACKBURN COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 August 2021
  • Location: BLACKBURN
Find courses near you

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