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Care home manager

Alternative titles for this job include

Care home managers lead and run residential homes for adults or children.

Average salary (a year)

£25,000 Starter

to

£55,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

39 to 41 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become 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 health and social care management.

With your degree you can apply for graduate schemes.

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 do a higher apprenticeship in adult care or children, young people and families manager.

You could then find work and train more on the job.

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

If you work in social care, you can apply to join a manager course.

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

You'll choose a pathway relating to either adults or children and young people.

More Information

Further information

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

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • customer service skills
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to understand people’s reactions
  • to enjoy working with other people
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • knowledge of psychology
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As an adult care home manager you may:

  • provide information, advice and support to residents, families and staff
  • help residents access local services
  • monitor business performance and quality of care
  • agree contracts, budgeting and fundraising
  • develop policies and keep private information confidential

As a children's home manager you may:

  • look after the children in your care
  • make sure that wellbeing standards are met
  • help children access local education and health services
  • take part in care planning, statutory case reviews and conferences
  • 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

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could:

  • manage several care homes for a large company or charity
  • freelance as a consultant or a care home inspector
  • teach in further education, such as a college

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Residential Children's Home Manager Apprentice The Gateshead Group

  • Wage: £42,000 a year Annually
  • Location: Gloucester

Residential Children's Home Manager Apprentice The Gateshead Group

  • Wage: £32,000 a year Annually
  • Location: Gloucester

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming a Care home manager?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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Skills assessment

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