The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015

Fitness of manager

28.—(1) A person may only manage a children’s home if—

(a) the person is of integrity and good character;

(b) having regard to the size of the home, its statement of purpose, and the number and needs (including any needs arising from any disability) of the children—

(i) the person has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills to manage the home effectively and lead the care of children; and

(ii) the person is physically and mentally fit to manage the home; and

(c) full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the person in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b)(i), a person has the appropriate experience and qualification if the person has—

(a) within the last 5 years, worked for at least 2 years in a position relevant to the residential care of children;

(b) worked for at least one year in a role requiring the supervision and management of staff working in a care role; and

(c) by the relevant date, attained—

(i) the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) (“the Level 5 Diploma”); or

(ii) a qualification which the registered provider considers to be equivalent to the Level 5 Diploma.

(3) The relevant date is—

(a) in the case of a person who starts managing a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 3 years after the date on which that person started managing a home; or

(b) in the case of a person who was managing a home on 1st April 2014, 1st April 2017.

(4) The registered provider may defer the relevant date if the person—

(a) does not manage, or has not managed, a home for a prolonged period; or

(b) manages, or has managed, a home on a part-time basis.