Department of Health and Social Care Care logo

Deputy operations care manager

The role of deputy management in care is varied, but you’ll mostly be working with the care team and supporting the manager of the service to provide high-quality care.

What is a deputy operations manager?

You’ll lead and manage social care staff, helping them to deliver high standards across the organisation. You could work in various social care settings, including:

  • Care homes.
  • Supported living flats.
  • In the community or in local authorities.
Deputy Operations Director_Role_Image

What does the role involve?

As a deputy manager in care, your day-to-day will vary depending on your service and level, but it might include:

  • Supporting your manager, including leading in their absence and ensuring standards of care are maintained.
  • Ensuring that the service safely plans staffing levels and complies with legislation and regulatory requirements.
  • undertake care assessments of people needing care and support, as well as working closely with healthcare professionals and others.
  • Helping the service to recruit and develop new care workers, supporting, supervising and performance managing them.

What skills and qualifications do I need?

If you started in an entry-level role, you’ll likely have developed a lot of the skills and experience needed for the role, including:

  • Strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate others.
  • Good English, numeracy and digital skills.
  • The ability to think strategically.
  • Good project management and organisational skills.
  • Experience working in a social care or health role.
  • An understanding of regulatory requirements.

Ideally, you’ll have care experience before you progress into a deputy manager role. It’s also recommended that you’ve completed Level 2 or 3 Adult Care qualifications or Apprenticeship Standards before progressing into management roles.

Is there training and progression?

To become deputy management in social care , you can work your way up from an entry-level care role, gaining the experience you need on the way. In some cases, you can also transfer from a different sector. You can also benefit from:

  • Informal training & education.
  • Formal qualifications such as a Diploma in Health and Social Care (up to Level 5) or specialist subjects like dementia care, communication skills and team leading.
  • Over 50 vocational qualifications at all levels including topics such as dementia care, communication skills and team leading.
  • Opportunities to progress and develop in adult social care and specialise in a certain area or take on more responsibility.

Hear why Bev chose a career in care

Bev started in an entry-level care role and has developed her career, progressing to work in operations.

Find jobs in care near you