CQC: 1,000 care homes lack managers

Nearly 1,000 care homes are operating without a registered manager according to figures published by the Care Quality Commission.

The extent of the lack of managers came to light as part of the CQC’s re-registration process for adult social care providers which has been running since May and closed on 1 October.

All care providers must have a named and accredited manager under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Cynthia Bower, chief executive of the CQC said: “We know from experience that care services without leadership can struggle to address any problems that may arise.”

Stephen Burke, chief executive of Counsel and Care, said the tough approach showed the regulator was puttign social care at the heart of its business. He added: “By taking this step, significant improvements in services should result.”

Sheila Scott, chief executive of the National Care Association, said some care homes were having difficulty registering new managers when one manager had left while the provider was completing its registration. But the CQC said the registration of managers could be done alongside the registration of providers.

Scott and Bower agreed there was a problem with obtaining staff with the right experience and qualifications to meet the CQC’s care home management criteria. Bower added: “The sector as a whole needs to take a robust approach to seeking solutions to the shortage of registered managers. It cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely.”

The CQC has registered more than 15,000 care homes as part of 20,000 adult social care services registered since May.

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