The interpretation of the National Minimum Standards in each care setting will be for the inspectors of the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). The inspectors will be seeking to take a whole view of the care service and focus on the experience of people using the service so it is not always possible to define the interpretation of an aspect of the National Minimum Standards in isolation.

It is the responsibility of CSCI to judge the fitness of each Registered Manager as part of the overall registration process, as set out in regulation 9.2 (i) of the Care Homes Regulations. Inspectors will take account of the relevant National Minimum Standards (NMS) when judging this aspect of fitness. The focus of CSCI's work on qualifications for registered managers will be on those managers who have neither a qualification in care nor management.

Registered Managers are required to have two qualifications by 2005. One of these has to be relevant to the care they are responsible for (Diploma in Social Work [and predecessors], Level 1 Nursing [with live registration], Diploma in Occupational Therapy, Diploma in Physiotherapy or NVQ Care level 4); all registered managers must hold one of these by 2005.

The second qualification should be in managing care services. There is a specific NVQ 4 for this purpose - Registered Managers Award (Adults) NVQ 4 or managers may hold the 'general' management NVQ at level 4 (or 5) all of which are acceptable.

All new (coming into post after 1/4/02) registered managers should, by 2005, hold both a qualification that is relevant to the care they are responsible for and a NVQ at level 4 in management.

Existing managers (who were in post before 1/4/02) must have, by 2005, a qualification relevant to the care they are responsible for (Diploma in Social Work [and predecessors], Level 1 Nursing [with live registration], Diploma in Occupational Therapy, Diploma in Physiotherapy or NVQ Care level 4). In addition they also have to have either:
" a level 4 NVQ in management either Registered Managers Award (Adults) NVQ 4 or 'general' management NVQ at level 4 or 5 or
" where the manager has one of a number of certificates or qualifications* which the CSCI regard as acceptable as providing evidence of transferable knowledge and skills, it is suggested that they have as part of their continuing professional development a plan to achieve Registered Managers Award (Adults) NVQ4. Within the plan managers are encouraged to have achieved RM1and RM2 units before 2005 which will be done using evidence from their previous learning and current work. The plan may extend beyond 2005 by agreement with their inspector.

*List of transitional management certificates/diplomas
Certificate in Management Studies
Diploma in Management Studies
Masters in Business Administration
City and Guilds 325/3-Advanced Management of Care
Diploma in Management of Care Services

This list is not exclusive/exhaustive and Inspectors can consult with their Regional Training and Development Manager or Learning Manager about other relevant management qualifications

As with all matters of workforce competence the responsibility for identifying the relevant training and qualifications for staff is with the employer. The nature of existing qualifications and ongoing training should match the design and statement of purpose of a care service through the workforce plan. Staff may have excellent qualifications but the employer needs to be able to show that they are relevant to the service and contribute to their confidence in a person's competence.