Hi Sheila,

I would just like to know, what are the minimum requirements to become a registered manager?

Answered by Sheila Scott

Dear S,

Thank you for your question.

There at two key areas that will need to be met when you apply to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to be a Registered Manager for the first time.

The first is that you must have experience at a senior level working with the client group whose service you hope to manage.

You may be a deputy manager or a senior care worker or you could have experience working in another sector but have managed a service (for instance as a nurse). The balance to be achieved needs to involve some form of management. That could mean managing shifts or standing in during the absence of the Manager for example.

You will also be expected to have knowledge of all the regulations applying to adult social care. There is a great deal about regulation on the Care Quality Commission website www.cqc.org.uk

You will also be expected to have some form of qualification. If you go to the Access Skills website at http://www.accessskills.co.uk/ you will find plenty of information about training. If you do not have any qualifications, you could find the appropriate one for you or speak to Access Skills about the best way forward.

You may have a different qualification in management which will help you to be a better manager.

You would be required to undertake an interview with CQC before you were registered as a manager and CQC could attach a condition to your registration about gaining a qualification in a specific timescale.

You will also be expected to have a DBS check.

I hope this is helpful.

Please write again if you require further information.

Best wishes.

Sheila