Managers and proprietors in health and care services

How to become a residential, day and domiciliary care manager or proprietor

Official title: Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors

Also called: Manager, Head of care, Care manager, Home manager, Unit manager, House manager, Service manager, Support manager, Care home owner, Location manager, Home care manager, Care home manager

Managers and proprietors in this group plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the resources necessary in the provision and running of residential and day care establishments and domiciliary care services for persons who require support or specialised care and/or supervision.

Main tasks

Determines staffing, financial, material and other short- and long-term requirements
Plans work schedules, assigns tasks and delegates responsibilities to staff
Arranges for payment of bills, keeps accounts and adheres to health, safety and other statutory requirements
Maintains contact between service users and the local community and/or family and friends
Assesses service users’ needs and ensures they have access to health and social care services as required
Creates a friendly, secure atmosphere to gain the trust and confidence of those using the service
Ensures that the physical comfort and all material needs of service users are provided and attempts to resolve problems that may arise

How to become one

Although there are no pre-set academic entry requirements there are a variety of entry routes. However, entrants must be registered with the relevant statutory body and hold the appropriate qualification for the job they do. Off and on-the-job training is provided, and a range of qualifications are available including NVQs/SVQs in Health and Social Care at levels 3 and 4. Background checks including a DBS check are required.

Ways in

Apprenticeship (England): Children, young people and families manager (level 5). England. Typically 24 months. Skills England standard ST0087.
Apprenticeship (England): Leader in adult care (level 5). England. Typically 18 months. Skills England standard ST0008.

Pay · Outlook

Median full-time pay: £42,700 a year The middle half earn £34,341 to £53,262.
About 82,200 people work in this job now, and about 95,000 are projected by 2035. (+15.6%)

Questions people ask

How do I become a residential, day and domiciliary care manager or proprietor?

How much does a residential, day and domiciliary care manager or proprietor earn in the UK?

Median full-time pay is £42,700 a year (Office for National Statistics). The middle half earn £34,341 to £53,262.

Is a residential, day and domiciliary care manager or proprietor a growing career in the UK?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 16% by 2035, from about 82,200 to about 95,000 people (Department for Education).

Do you need a degree to become a residential, day and domiciliary care manager or proprietor?

Not always. 47% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Children, young people and families manager (level 5).

Sources

Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03