- 26 March 2021
- 3 min read
Quick Guide To Becoming A CQC Registered Manager And The Level 5 Diploma
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"The CQC register a manager after they have followed a registration process... The Level 5 Diploma is equivalent to 1 year of a degree course"Quick guide for anyone wanting brief info on becoming a Registered Manager. What's the law behind Care Home registration? How the CQC registration works & what is The Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management in Adult Care?
What Is The UK Law Behind Registered Managers?
Registered Managers were a requirement of The Registered Homes Act 1984, and its subsequent amendments in 1991 and 1992.
The Care Standards Act 2000 and The Care Homes Regulations 2002 continued the requirement for Registered Managers.
The Health and Social Care Act 2008 introduced the CQC (Care Quality Commission).
Among other roles, the CQC register care providers.
This handed the CQC the authority to request Registered Managers for most providers:
“Regulation 5, of the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009 requires us to impose a Registered Manager (RM) condition on the registration of providers.
“The exceptions are NHS providers, and individual providers who have been assessed as fit to carry on the regulated activity. In these cases we have the discretion to impose a Registered Manager condition.”
If a care service is found to not have a Registered Manager they can be fined up to £4,000 via a Fixed Penalty Notice by the CQC if they fail to get one in 6 months.
(This is one of the reasons why the Home Manager job market is such an active one - a provider must swiftly find a CQC Registered Home Manager if they are without one.)
How Does CQC Registration For Managers Work?
The CQC register a manager after they have followed a registration process. (You submit your application online via the CQC website.)
You will explain your experience and you will be interviewed by the CQC to ensure you understand your responsibilities as a Registered Manager, and the laws surrounding care provision.
If the CQC are satisfied they will proceed to register you for the service and the location you will be working - as the ‘Registered Manager’ for it.
Sometimes they may add conditions.
My first registration was very lengthy. It was a 2 hour in-person meeting.
Now that I’ve been registered several times, it’s a phone call to check over some key points. You can also read this related article about How Much You Can Expect To Be Paid Working In Care Homes.
About this contributor
Registered Home Manager
Liam Palmer is the author of 3 books on raising quality standards in care homes through developing leadership skills. In Oct 2020, he published a guide to the Home Manager role called "So You Want To Be A Care Home Manager?". Liam has been fortunate to work as a Senior Manager across many healthcare brands including a private hospital, a retirement village and medium to large Care Homes in the private sector and 3rd sector. He hosts a podcast "Care Quality - meet the leaders and innovators”.
More by this contributorWant to get involved in the discussion?
Log In Subscribe to commentIeva Klavina
Ieva Klavina
2 years agoThank you for the answer.
Thank you for the answer.
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Ieva Klavina
Ieva Klavina
2 years agoHello. I would love to start my own live in care company or introductory agency in future. I don't have ... read more
Hello. I would love to start my own live in care company or introductory agency in future. I don't have the qualifications and experience necessary to register as a care manager with the CQC and at the moment I am a self employed live in carer. Could you please suggst, how can I set up such service? I would love to be involved in how care is delivered as well rather than only introducing carers with clients. What could be the shortest possible way to acquire the qualifications needed for registration with the CQC? Is it correct that as a self employed person, I can't do NVQ 5? In that case, what could be a degree or a course that could equip me with the education necessary for registration with the CQC in the shortest possible time? Many thanks!
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Hello Leva, I admire your ambition and with a strategy, planning to execute the strategy, sacrifice, long nights, and a track record of small wins and successes, over time, bearing some hardship as yo... read more
Hello Leva, I admire your ambition and with a strategy, planning to execute the strategy, sacrifice, long nights, and a track record of small wins and successes, over time, bearing some hardship as you lean into your goal, there is nothing stopping from achieving this, if you want it enough. I'd suggest you go on google and find then speak to some training providers - there is a mixture of funded and unfunded routes - some with in person support and some virtual. I am sure you can find a way. To become a cqc registered manager you have to demonstrate you understand all relevant laws and their application in regards to your duties. In some instances, that may be possible to toward with study - these articles form a body of work which explain those duties but to make it your own, you will need to develop your knowledge and experience further. Remember as registered managers we can be put in prison for failing to provide adequate care and directors can be prosecuted and fined for serious negligence or major H&S or compliance breaches - it is not a duty take lightly! There are no short cuts but you can proceed through these levels swiftly with study and determination if you have the will and ability to bear this level of responsibility. Regarding your question about starting it as a business, that's beyond the scope of my articles as it would take too long to explain - that moves into 1 to 1 consultancy which I don't offer now. If you do enough online searches and have a good look on the material on -there are so many perspectives shared here - you are sure to find something to signpost you. In the meantime, I wish you the very best of luck with these plans!
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Samantha Brough
Samantha Brough
2 years agoHi there, I have 15-18 years previous experience in Health and Social Care, Inc L3 Specialist SEN quals, and I've ... read more
Hi there, I have 15-18 years previous experience in Health and Social Care, Inc L3 Specialist SEN quals, and I've just finished my BSc in Psychology and Counselling at the ripe old age of 50! I'd like to know if I can be a registered manager on my current qualifications? Thanks
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Dear Samantha, Thank you for your comment. Let me briefly answer as follows; It wouldn't be for me to say but rather I would instead frame it as; If you took up the post as being manager of a regulate... read more
Dear Samantha, Thank you for your comment. Let me briefly answer as follows; It wouldn't be for me to say but rather I would instead frame it as; If you took up the post as being manager of a regulated care service(job)would you be able to be able to perform this in a way that meets the requirements of the cqc? Is so, you'd have the capability to assume those responsibilities. If you took that job, you would apply to the cqc to be a registered manager. They would ask you about whether you understand how to discharge those responsibilities in the performance of your job. Once they are satisfied, they will agree to your registration. If they are partially satisfied, they would grant a condition - this is rare. So you see, it is one part actual capability and one part being able to reassure the cqc in the interview that you have that capability by explaining it. Based on your depth of experience, I am sure you have a wealth of examples to illustrate your understanding. Good luck!
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Diana Okeme
Diana Okeme
3 years agoHello, I'm Diana and have worked as a Care Manager in an aged care home in Auckland, New Zealand for ... read more
Hello, I'm Diana and have worked as a Care Manager in an aged care home in Auckland, New Zealand for the last 8years. Prior to that I worked as. Head of Care and Deputy manager in the UK for nearly 3years. I'm looking to relocate to the UK and working as a Care home manager. To be registered as a home mnai with CQC, can I sign up to complete the online course and get my assessment completed using my practice at my current role here in my Auckland? Or does evidence needing to be collected be observed in a UK care home only. Thanks
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Dear Diana, That sounds exciting. Please see other replies to comments which cover some of the angles. In regards to the qualification, it is not mandatory to have a Level 5 to be a Home Manager in th... read more
Dear Diana, That sounds exciting. Please see other replies to comments which cover some of the angles. In regards to the qualification, it is not mandatory to have a Level 5 to be a Home Manager in the UK, an equivalent qualification is sometimes sufficient but equally committing to do it is sufficient for the cqc as part of the process to be approved as a CQC registered home manager With your experience in the UK, you can likely come back as a Deputy / Head of care – there are plenty of roles like that you can apply for and then build up to a home manager role. Alternatively, you may be able to get straight to a home manager role. Whether the online training provider will allow you to submit evidence from Auckland for this UK qualification – you will need to speak to the training provider directly on this. Good luck!
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Amy Huitson
Amy Huitson
3 years agoHi, I have 17 years experience working in the care industry and have a level 3 in health and social ... read more
Hi, I have 17 years experience working in the care industry and have a level 3 in health and social care, I have also done deputy manager roles in the past. I currently do not work in the care industry but am thinking of setting up my own care business, I’m just wondering how I go about completing the level 5 when I’m currently not working in care? Is this possible? If so how would I go about doing this?
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Hello Amy, Thank you for your comment. That's really exciting about your care business idea - we wish you well with that. Regarding getting your Level 5, I suggest you google research providers of the... read more
Hello Amy, Thank you for your comment. That's really exciting about your care business idea - we wish you well with that. Regarding getting your Level 5, I suggest you google research providers of the level 5 course on a self-funded basis - they often have installment plans and are completed via an online platform. You can compare prices, speak to suppliers and make your decision then. You may need to be imaginative to work with a care provider in some form to get some of the observations etc - either as a volunteer or agency worker or if you know a former manager who may help. There is always a way around it if you are determined enough. Good luck Amy
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Elaine Hawkins
Elaine Hawkins
4 years agohi how do i get to udertake the level5 course please.
hi how do i get to udertake the level5 course please.
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Thanks Elaine. The key thing to determine here is about funding; Whether your employer will support you with funding for the course which includes tutor support, assessment of your modules and giving ... read more
Thanks Elaine. The key thing to determine here is about funding; Whether your employer will support you with funding for the course which includes tutor support, assessment of your modules and giving you the award at the end. This will depend on your position, and the policy of your employer regarding training and their budget. Some people opt to self fund it - options are available on line if you google it, you'll find many providers. If you self-fund, you will still need some support from your employer as the course relies on evidence which will need to come from the workplace and workplace experiences. Hope that helps.
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