Everyone working in social care needs English, number, digital and employability skills including team work and problem solving skills. 

There are also some specific skills needed to work in this role. These include

• strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate others
• the ability to think strategically to develop your organisation
• good project management and organisational skills.
  
  

You’ll usually need experience working in a social care or health role for these jobs. You could progress from a senior care worker or other social care roles such as a rehabilitation worker.

The core qualification for social care managers is the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care. You can only do this qualification when you’re working in a management role.

Skills for Care recommends to ideally complete it before becoming the care manager, in roles such as deputy manager or team leader. It's important that by the time you are responsible for the overall management of the services you have the experience and qualifications to do so.

If you’re currently working in social care and interested in becoming a social care manager, speak to your employer about opportunities to progress.

You could also work through the Manager Induction Standards that outline what social care managers need to know in their role.

Read our 'Developing new managers and deputies guide' to find out more.

If you’re interested in working as a social care manager, there’s lots of advice about finding a role on the Starting your career page. You could look online or in your local newspaper to find vacancies. 

Experience is important but you could progress by applying for a higher apprenticeship which means you’ll gain management experience, gain a qualification and earn a wage. This is a great route into a care manager role; you could speak to your employer about opportunities or find vacancies on the Thinking about doing an apprenticeship page.

If you’re currently working in social care, speak to your employer about opportunities to progress into management roles.

If you’re a graduate, you could apply for the health and social care Graduate Management programme.

Care managers would usually have experience of working in health or social care already but it is sometimes possible to transfer from a different sector.

If you have not done so already, we would recommend new care managers undertake the 'Lead to succeed' learning programme, Manager Induction Standards and Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care. Allow up to 18-months for the completion of all three processes.