Limited company
Needs oneA body corporate always needs a registered manager. It also names a nominated individual.
2009 Regulations, reg. 5(1)England · CQC · 2014 Regulations, reg. 7
CQC registered manager requirements for home care
Most new home care agencies need a CQC registered manager: the person in charge of running the service day to day, who shares legal responsibility with you. Here is who needs one, what CQC expects them to show, how they apply, and what you must tell CQC later.
- Rule-verified 30 September 2026
- Quoted from the 2009 and 2014 Regulations
- CQC guidance updated 6 January 2026
Quick answer
A registered manager is the person CQC registers to be in charge of the day-to-day running of your service. They "share legal responsibility with your provider to meet the requirements of regulations". A limited company or partnership always needs one, and so does a sole trader who will not be in full-time day-to-day charge.
Under regulation 7 of the 2014 Regulations the manager must be fit to manage: of good character, with the necessary qualifications, competence, skills and experience, and healthy enough to do the job. For home care CQC expects proven management experience, experience managing home care, and experience with complaints, mental capacity assessments, safeguarding and medication errors. A Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management strengthens the application.
The manager applies on their own form, with a CQC-countersigned DBS from the past 12 months and a full work history. They cannot manage the service until CQC confirms their registration.
Who needs a registered manager
Regulation 5 of the 2009 Registration Regulations attaches a registered manager condition to your registration in these cases:
Partnership
Needs oneA body unincorporate needs a registered manager.
2009 Regulations, reg. 5(1)Sole trader, not running it full time
Needs oneAn individual who is not, or does not intend to be, in full-time day-to-day charge.
2009 Regulations, reg. 5(1)(b)(ii)Sole trader running it full time
Not neededIf you are fit to manage it and will be in full-time day-to-day charge yourself, you register as the provider without a separate manager.
2009 Regulations, reg. 5(1)(b)(ii)More than one person can be appointed to manage the same activity at the same location, for example in a job share. Your statement of purpose records each manager, the locations they manage and the percentage of time they spend at each.
What the law requires
Regulation 7(1) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014: "A person (M) shall not manage the carrying on of a regulated activity as a registered manager unless M is fit to do so." To be fit, the manager must be of good character, have the necessary qualifications, competence, skills and experience, be able to do the job given their health after reasonable adjustments, and be able to supply the information in Schedule 3.
Schedule 3 lists that information: proof of identity with a recent photograph, criminal record certificates, evidence of conduct in previous health, social care or similar jobs, why any job working with vulnerable adults or children ended, evidence of relevant qualifications, "a full employment history, together with a satisfactory written explanation of any gaps in employment", and relevant health information.
What CQC wants the manager to show
From CQC’s guidance for new managers and its homecare registration guidance:
Management experience
Proven and demonstrable. Recent experience managing a relevant regulated service is highly desirable.
CQCHome care experience
For a home care manager role, experience managing home care, and with the people you will support.
CQCFour homecare skills
Experience with complaints, mental capacity assessments, safeguarding concerns and medication errors.
CQCQualification
A Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management, or equivalent, strengthens a home care application.
CQCWork history
Full work history from age 16, with any gap over four weeks explained.
CQCDBS check
A CQC-countersigned enhanced DBS certificate issued in the past 12 months.
CQCGood character and health
Of good character, and physically and mentally able to do the job, with reasonable adjustments if needed.
CQCKnowledge
That they understand care law, know how to meet CQC’s requirements and can meet people’s specific needs.
CQCCQC will not register a service where key people plan to get the training and experience they need after registration. See CQC’s refused and registered examples →
How the manager applies
For a new provider, the manager uses CQC’s new registered manager application form, sent with your provider application. Before starting, they will need contact details for their GP and last employer, a DBS certificate issued in the past 12 months (countersigned by CQC), and copies of their qualifications and training.
CQC assesses applications in the order it receives them, may ask for more information and arranges an interview. "Our registration assessment is thorough and can take a few months. You cannot manage regulated activities until we confirm your registration."
Accuracy matters: "You could be fined up to £2,500 if you provide false or misleading information."
After registration: absences and changes
The 2009 Regulations set what you must tell CQC about your manager:
| What happens | Tell CQC | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Manager plans to be away for 28 days or more | In writing, at least 28 days before | reg. 14(1)-(2) |
| Emergency absence of 28 days or more | Within 5 working days | reg. 14(3) |
| Manager returns from that absence | Within 7 working days of return | reg. 14(5) |
| Manager leaves, or someone else starts managing | In writing, as soon as reasonably practicable | reg. 15(1) |
An absence notice must give its length, the reason, the arrangements for running the service meanwhile, the name, address and qualifications of the person in charge during the absence, and how you will appoint someone to manage. If a manager leaves, the new manager must register before they can manage, and your statement of purpose changes too, which must reach CQC within 28 days.
Frequently asked questions
Does a home care agency need a registered manager?
Yes if the provider is a company or partnership, or an individual who will not be in full-time day-to-day charge. A sole trader who is fit to manage and runs the service full time does not need a separate registered manager.
Does a CQC registered manager need a Level 5 diploma?
CQC does not make it mandatory in its guidance, but says that for a home care service, a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management or an equivalent qualification would strengthen the application. The law requires the necessary qualifications, competence, skills and experience.
What experience does a registered manager need for home care?
Proven management experience, ideally recent experience managing a relevant regulated service, experience managing home care, and experience with complaints, mental capacity assessments, safeguarding concerns and medication errors.
Can the registered manager start before CQC approves them?
No. CQC says the assessment can take a few months and you cannot manage regulated activities until it confirms your registration.
Can two people share the registered manager role?
Yes. More than one person can be appointed to manage a regulated activity at the same location, for example in a job share. Each is recorded in your statement of purpose with the percentage of time they spend at each location.
What if our registered manager is going to be off for a month?
For an absence of 28 days or more you must notify CQC in writing at least 28 days before it starts, or within 5 working days in an emergency, saying who will manage in the meantime. Tell CQC within 7 working days of their return.
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Keep reading
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Your CQC statement of purpose
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Sources
- Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 · legislation.gov.uk · retrieved 30 September 2026
- Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009 · legislation.gov.uk · retrieved 30 September 2026
- Registering a homecare agency (personal care) · Care Quality Commission · retrieved 30 September 2026
- Register as a new manager (page last updated 6 January 2026) · Care Quality Commission · retrieved 30 September 2026
- DBS checks for CQC registration · Care Quality Commission · retrieved 30 September 2026