what is a care home manager?

As a care home manager, you are responsible for running a care home following the standards and regulations of the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Your role is mainly administrative, but you are also in charge of the facility's daily operation. For instance, you visit the residents to ensure they receive the best care.

Whether you are running a private care home or government residential facility, you need to ensure the facility has enough residents to remain in operation. That means you are the financial controller and the human resource manager. You prepare the budget and ensure the facility can pay its bills. You also manage the recruitment and career development of your staff.

Care home managers work in different health care settings. Some work in nursing homes that take care of the elderly, while others work in supported housing facilities providing shelter and support services for children and adults. If you love helping kids, you should find a care manager job in children's homes. Care home managers with a medical background can work in hospices that care for patients with life-limiting conditions.

Would working as a care home manager suit your passion for providing people-centred care? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a care home manager role.
 

care home manager jobs
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average salary of a care home manager

According to National Careers, a care home manager's median salary ranges from £25,000 to £55,000 per year. Your earnings will range from £25,000 to £28,000 annually at the start of your career.

If you work in a National Health Service (NHS) trust, established pay bands determine your salary. As a care home manager, you will earn a Band 6 salary between approximately £32,000 and £40,000 per year. If you have top-level experience and specialised training, your salary falls under Band 7, which ranges from £40,000 to £45,000 annually.

Most care homes in the UK are private, and the salaries aren't regulated. That means your earnings will depend on your experience and qualifications. If you have minimal experience, your starting salary is £32,000 a year, while care home managers working in challenging work settings earn over £60,000 annually.

In addition to your salary, your role includes benefits like pension and medical insurance. Some employers will give you a company car and share options. If you want to increase your salary, improve your skills, work experience and educational qualifications. The type of facility also affects your pay. For instance, if you work in a hospice, your earnings are higher than working in a children's home.
 

Close up - Smiling female looking away
Close up - Smiling female looking away
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types of care home managers

Types of care home managers depend on the roles and facilities. Common types of care home managers include:

  • residential care home managers: your job is to ensure residents receive the best care and support. In residential care homes, residents don't need specialised care, and you ensure they are assisted with daily activities like personal care and nutrition.
  • nursing home managers: as a nursing home manager, you assist people with different medical conditions or disabilities. You need to ensure patients continue with their treatment plans and improve their quality of life.
  • hospice care home managers: hospices care for patients with terminal illnesses and provide end-of-life medical care. Your job is to ensure the facility is equipped to deal with patients with specific needs. You also offer emotional support to patients and their loved ones.
     
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working as a care home manager

As a care home manager, you provide emotional and physical support to patients or residents under your care. Let's explore a care home manager's specific duties and work settings.
 

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education and skills

Various routes of becoming a care home manager include:

  • a vocational qualification: you can start a care home management career with a higher national diploma, foundation degree or undergraduate degree. You can pursue university courses in social care or health before joining a graduate trainee programme. You need up to 3 A-Levels to access most degree courses.
  • apprenticeship: some companies provide apprenticeship programmes for young people, children and adult care homes. You will also find opportunities in care leadership and management like the adult care higher apprenticeship. When you complete on-the-job training, you can work as a trainee.
  • experience: when you have previous social work or nursing qualifications, you can join the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care training and transition to care home management roles.

skills and competencies

Some of the skills of a care home manager include:

  • leadership skills: as a care home manager, you monitor the performance of a care team. Your leadership skills unite all employees and ensure they strive towards providing the best care. You will lead by example and inspire and motivate employees to improve their performance.
  • strategic thinking: you will devise strategies that improve patients' care and ensure new processes are implemented well. Strategic thinking skills also help you in financial control roles. You set budgets, fill the residential beds and ensure the staffing levels reflect patients' needs.
  • organisational skills: as a care home manager, you will organise your schedule and know when to delegate. Organisational skills also help you monitor projects in the facility.
     
focused female smiling
focused female smiling
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FAQs

FAQs about working as a care home manager

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