The role of a Care Home Manager at Avery Healthcare is one of immense responsibility and pride. Care Home Managers are the heartbeat of residential care facilities, ensuring that residents receive high-quality care while managing staff, regulatory compliance, and day-to-day operations. This is not just a job; it is a calling for individuals with leadership, compassion, and operational expertise.
A Care Home Manager’s job description typically includes leading a multidisciplinary team, ensuring CQC standards are met, managing budgets, overseeing resident care plans, and engaging with families. Salary levels vary depending on experience and location but generally range from £40,000 to £65,000 per year, with opportunities for performance bonuses and career development.
If you have secured an interview with Avery Healthcare, congratulations — it’s a fantastic achievement. But now comes the important part: preparing to present yourself as the very best candidate. With over 25 years of experience as an interview coach, I, Jerry Frempong, will walk you through 25 of the most likely Avery Healthcare Care Home Manager interview questions and answers. These will be presented with sample responses, STAR model structures, and key coaching tips to help you shine.
1. Tell me about yourself.
This is often the opening question, and it sets the tone for the rest of the interview.
Sample Answer:
“I have worked in the healthcare sector for over 12 years, with the last five in management roles. My passion is ensuring residents receive compassionate, person-centred care while maintaining high standards and regulatory compliance. At my last role, I led a team of 40 staff and improved CQC ratings from ‘Good’ to ‘Outstanding’. I believe Avery Healthcare’s values align with mine, and I am excited to bring both leadership and empathy to this role.”
2. Why do you want to work for Avery Healthcare?
Employers want to see motivation aligned with their values.
Sample Answer:
“Avery Healthcare is known for its commitment to luxury, person-centred care and innovation in dementia services. I want to work for an organisation that shares my belief that residents deserve dignity, respect, and enrichment. The opportunity to lead within such a forward-thinking company excites me.”
3. What do you know about the role of Care Home Manager?
Here you demonstrate understanding of responsibilities.
Sample Answer:
“The Care Home Manager oversees clinical and non-clinical operations, ensures staff compliance, manages budgets, maintains CQC standards, and engages with families. It requires leadership, regulatory knowledge, and strong communication skills.”
4. Describe your leadership style.
Leadership is central to the role.
Sample Answer:
“My style is supportive but firm. I believe in empowering staff, encouraging training, and holding people accountable. I use open communication and team meetings to ensure everyone feels valued, but I also make difficult decisions when necessary.”
5. How do you ensure compliance with CQC standards?
Sample Answer (STAR model):
Situation: At my last care home, we were preparing for an unannounced CQC inspection.
Task: I needed to ensure all documentation and practices were compliant.
Action: I introduced weekly audits, trained staff on key compliance areas, and created a checklist system.
Result: We achieved a ‘Good’ rating across all domains, with commendation for governance.
6. How do you handle conflict within your team?
Sample Answer:
“I listen to both sides impartially, identify the root cause, and encourage resolution through mediation. For example, when two senior carers disagreed over shift allocation, I facilitated a meeting, allowed each to express concerns, and we devised a fair rota system.”
7. How would you manage staff performance issues?
Sample Answer:
“I believe in constructive feedback and support. I would set clear expectations, monitor performance, provide mentoring, and, if necessary, follow disciplinary procedures in line with HR policy.”
8. How do you handle challenging family members?
Sample Answer:
“Families want the best for their loved ones, and emotions can run high. I always listen empathetically, validate their concerns, and provide clear communication. For instance, a family once felt their parent’s meals were unsatisfactory. I invited them to meet with our catering manager, reviewed menus together, and agreed on personalised adjustments.”
9. What financial experience do you have in managing a care home?
Sample Answer:
“I have managed budgets of up to £3 million annually, overseeing staffing, supplies, and maintenance. I monitor occupancy levels, manage staff overtime, and ensure resources are allocated effectively to maintain financial health without compromising care.”
10. Describe a time when you improved standards in your care home.
Sample Answer (STAR):
Situation: Our medication management system was outdated.
Task: I needed to reduce errors.
Action: I implemented electronic MAR charts and trained staff.
Result: Error rates dropped by 70%, and audits showed consistent improvement.
11. How do you motivate your staff?
Recognition is key.
Sample Answer:
“I use praise, reward systems, and career development opportunities. Small gestures like celebrating birthdays or awarding ‘Employee of the Month’ make staff feel valued.”
12. How do you ensure effective safeguarding practices?
Sample Answer:
“I ensure all staff are trained in safeguarding, encourage open reporting, and maintain whistleblowing procedures. In my last role, I introduced a ‘safeguarding champions’ scheme to embed best practice.”
13. What’s your approach to dementia care?
Sample Answer:
“I adopt a person-centred, dignity-first approach. This includes training staff in dementia awareness, using memory boxes, and engaging residents in sensory activities.”
14. How do you manage stress in a demanding role?
Sample Answer:
“I manage stress through effective delegation, organisation, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. I also encourage a supportive culture where staff can talk openly.”
15. Tell us about a time you had to deal with a crisis.
Sample Answer (STAR):
Situation: A norovirus outbreak occurred.
Task: I needed to contain it and protect residents.
Action: I activated infection control protocols, liaised with Public Health England, and communicated transparently with families.
Result: The outbreak was contained within three days, with minimal disruption and no fatalities.
16. How do you ensure resident wellbeing beyond clinical needs?
Sample Answer:
“I promote holistic wellbeing, including social activities, outings, and emotional support. For example, we organised ‘wish days’ where residents could fulfil personal dreams, from a spa day to attending a football match.”
17. What is your experience with audits and inspections?
Sample Answer:
“I have led numerous internal and external audits, preparing action plans, ensuring compliance, and welcoming inspectors. I see inspections as opportunities to showcase good practice.”
18. How do you approach training and staff development?
Sample Answer:
“I believe in lifelong learning. I create annual training plans, identify skill gaps, and encourage staff to pursue NVQs and CPD opportunities.”
19. How do you prioritise when under pressure?
Sample Answer:
“I assess urgency versus importance. For example, during staff shortages, I ensured resident safety first, then rescheduled non-urgent administrative tasks.”
20. What would you do if a staff member reported misconduct by a colleague?
Sample Answer:
“I would take it seriously, follow safeguarding and HR protocols, investigate fairly, and ensure confidentiality throughout.”
21. How do you communicate with external stakeholders?
Sample Answer:
“I build strong relationships with GPs, social workers, and regulatory bodies, ensuring transparent communication and collaborative problem-solving.”
22. How do you encourage resident involvement in decision-making?
Sample Answer:
“I hold regular residents’ meetings, feedback sessions, and surveys. For example, menus and activity schedules are co-created with resident input.”
23. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Sample Answer:
“I aim to continue growing with Avery Healthcare, contributing to best practice, and potentially mentoring new managers.”
24. What would you do in your first 90 days as Care Home Manager?
Sample Answer:
“I would focus on listening and observing. I’d meet staff, residents, and families, review audits, and identify quick wins alongside long-term goals.”
25. Do you have any questions for us?
Sample Ending Questions:
“How do you measure success for a Care Home Manager in Avery Healthcare?”
“What are the biggest challenges facing this home at present?”
“What opportunities exist for leadership development?”
General Interview Coaching Tips and Encouragement
Use the STAR model: Always structure competency answers with Situation, Task, Action, Result.
Practice with an interview coach: This helps refine delivery and boost confidence.
Do’s: Prepare thoroughly, research Avery Healthcare, dress professionally, and smile warmly.
Don’ts: Avoid negative talk about past employers, don’t overcomplicate answers, and don’t forget to ask insightful questions.
Remember, an interview is not an interrogation. It’s a two-way process to see if Avery Healthcare is the right fit for you as much as you are for them. Walk in with confidence, show your passion for care, and let your leadership qualities shine.
If you’d like personalised support with job interview preparation, why not book a session with me? With over 25 years as an interview coach, I offer tailored interview coaching online to help candidates succeed.
👉 Book your interview training session today at Interview Training and take the next step towards your dream Care Home Manager role.
