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Care home manager

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 for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels 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.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent qualifications, for a higher or a 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 a care home manager, your duties may include:

  • meeting legal requirements including health and safety
  • providing information, advice and support to residents, families and staff
  • promoting residents' rights and duties and encouraging them to join activities
  • helping residents to access local services and take part in the local community
  • monitoring business performance and quality of care
  • agreeing contracts, budgeting and fundraising
  • developing policies and practices and keeping confidentiality
  • recruiting, training and supervising staff

As a children’s home manager your duties may include:

  • looking after the welfare of children in your care
  • making sure that quality standards are met
  • enabling access to local education, health and other services
  • promoting children's rights and duties
  • taking part in care planning, statutory case reviews and conferences
  • developing positive behaviour and discipline
  • responding 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 progress to regional manager within a large healthcare company or charity. You could also become a freelance consultant or a care home inspector.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a care home manager right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Advanced Apprenticeship in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services L5 (England) (QCF)

  • Provider: SPECIALIST TRADE COURSES LIMITED
  • Start date: 01 October 2019
  • Location: Harold Wood

CACHE Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services (QCF)

  • Provider: THE CHILDCARE COMPANY (OLD WINDSOR) LIMITED
  • Start date: 01 October 2019
  • Location: SLOUGH
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