My World of Work

You are here

Home // My Career Options // Care service manager

Care service manager

care home manager registered care home manager
Bookmark
Social work and caring services
Care Support

Career outlook for care service manager

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£25,000

Experienced

£55,000

Currently employed in Scotland

1,800

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would be responsible for the overall management of a care service. This could be a care home, a daycare for adults or a service that provides care to people in their own homes.  

You’d make sure that your colleagues feel supported and happy as this will help them to provide the best care. 

You would register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and follow the Codes of Practice for Social Service Workers and Employers. 

Depending on the service you work with, you might provide support to: 

  • older people 
  • people experiencing mental health problems 
  • people with learning disabilities 
  • children, young people and families in their own homes 
  • people who are at the end of their life 
  • people with physical disabilities 

As the registered manager, you’d make sure that the service is of good quality and meets National Care Standards. The standards ensure people are cared for with dignity, respect and compassion.  

You would: 

  • have overall responsibility for the health and safety of people using the service and the staff providing the support 
  • be responsible for promoting the rights of people using the service, and safeguarding them against harm 
  • be involved in the selection and recruitment of staff. You’d also be responsible for managing and developing your team, arranging training and providing regular supervision 
  • get to know the people using the service well. You would need a good understanding of their illness, disability or support needs so your team can offer the right care 
  • provide information, advice and support to people using the service, their families and carers 
  • develop good working relationships with carers, families, health professionals and other agencies 
  • create opportunities for people using the service to contribute to the local community and access local services 

You will also need business and organisational skills to ensure the care service is run effectively and with available resources. You would: 

  • be responsible for budgets 
  • monitor business performance 
  • raise funds 
  • negotiate contracts 
  • develop policies and practices to help meet the National Care Standards 

Working conditions

Hours

You would usually work 35 to 40 hours a week, which may include shifts, weekends, and some on-call duties (in the event of an emergency).

Environment

For some jobs you may need to live-in. This work can be emotionally and physically demanding.

UK employment status

Full-time

73%

Part-time

16%

Self employed

11%

Create a qualification route

We've found some examples of the qualifications that could help you get this job.

Discover my route

Search course options

Thinking about your future? There are lots of courses available that could interest you. Use our course search to explore course options.

Find courses

Search job opportunities

If you're looking for your new career our job search can help you. Discover interesting opportunities and decide your next steps.

Find a job

Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.

  • Cooperating
  • Supporting
  • Verbal communication
  • Written communication
  • Empathising
  • Respecting
  • Social conscience
  • Managing resources
  • Delegating
  • Taking responsibility

Skills Explorer

Your skills can help you choose the career that's right for you. You can build your skills through work, study or activities you do in your spare time.

Our Skills Explorer tool will help you understand what skills you have and match them to jobs that might suit you.

Use the Skills Explorer tool

Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Foundation Apprenticeships

Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.

Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.

Qualifications

You would have a degree (SCQF Level 9) in social work, nursing, occupational therapy or another related discipline.

You could also have relevant work-based experience or qualifications.

It’s possible to progress into this role with an SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare (SCQF Level 7). Once you’re in the role, your employer would support you to complete an SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare (SCQF Level 9).

You would also need to work towards an SVQ in Care Services Leadership and Management (SCQF Level 10) regardless of your qualification route.

Useful subjects

  • English (required)
  • Maths (required)
  • Care
  • Childcare & development
  • Sciences such as biology
  • Administrative subjects
  • Business subjects
  • Social studies such as psychology and modern studies
  • Health & food technologies

You will also need

You would register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and have approved membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland.

Experience in the care sector is important for this role. You might have experience as a support worker or supervisor. Or you might come from a background in social work, nursing or another related profession. 

 

Helpful to have

  • Training in counselling
  • A driving licence is useful and may be required for some roles