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Care home manager
Care home managers lead and run residential homes for adults or children.
Average salary (a year)
£25000
Starter
£55000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
39.0 to 41.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends / bank holidays
on shifts
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
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
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
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
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
higher and degree apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-and-degree-apprenticeships
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
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
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Related Restrictions
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
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 & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
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
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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