Yes if you are an organisation (for example a limited company), a partnership, or an individual who will not run the service day to day. The manager application goes in the same email as the provider application.
CQC: "You must submit the manager forms with your provider application. We cannot process your application without them." (register as a provider, 25 August 2026).
What CQC says it expects in home care
From CQC's homecare "before you apply" page (7 January 2026): managers must show the right qualifications (CQC gives "a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care" as its example), training, and relevant skills and experience. For homecare agencies, CQC expects a manager to have experience with:
- complaints
- mental capacity assessments
- safeguarding concerns
- medication errors
"Recent experience in a regulated care service, or homecare service will strengthen their application."
The form
The new registered manager application form (Word, updated 25 August 2026), plus a supplementary section for each additional location. It is sent with the provider forms to CQC's applications mailbox, in one email.
The employment history rule
CQC's final checks for homecare applications (12 May 2026) say managers must have "provided their full employment history" and "explained any gaps longer than 4 weeks". A missing explanation is a reason for rejection, and a rejected application that is resent counts as new and loses its place in the queue.
What the manager must own after registration
The registered manager is named in the statement of purpose for each location, with the percentage of time spent there. Many of the keep-ready documents (duty of candour, whistleblowing, incidents) name the registered manager as the responsible person, which is one of CQC's six requirements for every document.
Before the DBS
The registered manager needs a CQC countersigned enhanced DBS before you apply. See DBS checks: timing and rules.
Who this is not for. Sole traders who will run the service themselves day to day: you register as an individual provider and do not need a separate manager application.
Questions
Does a limited company need a registered manager for CQC?
Yes. CQC requires registered manager applications from organisations, partnerships, and individuals who will not run the service day to day.
What qualification does a registered manager need for home care?
CQC gives a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care as its example, and asks for training, skills and experience including complaints, mental capacity assessments, safeguarding and medication errors.
- CQC: register as a provider (page updated 25 August 2026)
- CQC: homecare agencies, before you apply (page updated 7 January 2026)
- CQC: homecare agencies, how to apply (page updated 12 May 2026)
- CQC: registered manager application form (page updated 25 August 2026)