Care Home Manager

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

Typical Salary

£20,000 To £54,000

Typical Hours

39 to 41 a week
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

College / 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.

  • 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
  • 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.

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

    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.


    Other Routes

    Other Routes are not listed for this job.

    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

    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 & 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.

    Volunteering Opportunities

    Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

    Tips & Information

    Further information

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

    Restrictions & Requirements

    You'll need to:

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