care home business model uk

How to open a care home

• Henry Williams

Our independent reviews are funded in part by affiliate commissions, at no extra cost to our readers.

Running a care home can be an extremely rewarding business opportunity, but it comes with a hefty dose of responsibility and hard work. It also needs a clear-sighted view of the overheads and present industry challenges – be it rising energy costs or a staff hiring crisis in the sector.

Over the following page, we’ll look at nursing home start-up costs, how you can make a profit, dealing with regulation and hiring the right staff.

It's been a tough time for the UK's more than 18,100 care and nursing homes, which tragically suffered more than 40,000 deaths in the first year of the pandemic alone. While occupancy rates were predicted to have recovered to pre-pandemic levels by November 2021, it's a national tragedy that, if nothing else, highlights the growing need for good quality care homes to look after the UK's ageing population.

But before we delve into how to set up a nursing home, here’s a reminder of some of the ways that Startups.co.uk can provide comparison tools and tailored solutions to help you plan the launch of a new business.

There's a huge amount of planning that needs to go into launching a care home. Thankfully, one area which needn't cause undue stress is creating a website to promote your business. Thanks to modern templates like the one below , you can create one of your own in under an hour.

At Startups.co.uk, we test and rate website builder tools, and we've identified Wix as one of the best you can choose for creating a business site. Wix even has a selection of  custom website templates designed specifically for care homes – you simply drop your own business information, wording and preferred imagery into your chosen template. Better still, it's completely free to try  for yourself.

In this guide, we'll cover:

The UK care home market

Who should run a care home.

• Create a care home business plan
• Consider nursing home start-up costs
• Work out your profit margin

At Startups.co.uk, we're here to help small UK businesses to get started, grow and succeed. We have helpful resources for helping new businesses get off the ground – you can use the tool below to get started today.

What Does Your Business Need Help With?

According to carehome.co.uk data from 2021, there are more than 490,000 residents in UK care homes, 70% of whom have some form of dementia or severe memory problems. They're looked after by a combined total of nearly 600,00 staff, the vast majority of which work in residential homes. 

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), demand is going to increase significantly, with the number of people aged over 85 expected to increase to two million by 2025. This represent a 36% rise from 2015.

A recent report from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) identified a number of specific concerns about the way UK care providers have been treating residents including:

•        A lack of pricing information on websites
•        Providing contracts too late or not at all
•        Charging large upfront fees and deposits
•        Suddenly increasing fees after a resident has moved in
•        Expecting fees to be paid for an extended period after a resident’s death
•        Asking residents to leave at short notice

These areas of weakness are easily rectified. There’s ample opportunity for a new provider to step into the place with better ways of doing things. Doing so could set you apart from a what seems to be a growing culture of unfair practices in the care home sector and win you dissatisfied customers.

Running a care home is not a business venture that should be undertaken lightly. Looking after people at the end of their lives is a huge responsibility and should be treated as such.

Unfortunately, the UK care industry has had its fair share of chancers in recent years, looking to make a buck at the expense of the dignity and comfort of those in their care.

If you are driven purely by a wish to make money then you won’t go far in this game. Compassion is a must and a genuine desire to enhance the lives of your residents rather than just provide a room and treatment. This should extend to the people you employ as well.

With that attitude your return on investment won’t just be a financial one, it will be a personal one.

Expert Insight – Fazalabbas Fazel, Southampton care home owner

After a career in investment banking, Fazalabbas Fazel now runs a care home in Southampton and is on the board of care management software company Log my Care .

He says that it was only once he entered the care home sector that he realised how diverse and wide-ranging it could be:

“There are so many different areas within care that you can provide, and various types of facilities that you can provide them from. For example, there is residential care, dementia residential care, residential care with nursing, residential care with nursing for dementia, learning disabilities, supported living, extra care – the list goes on.

“Facilities can range from converted houses within single and double bedrooms, to purpose-built homes that only have single en-suite bedrooms. You can even have mixture of both where you start off with a large converted house, and then bolt on purpose-built extensions. Or you can have a massive retirement community village that houses a care home, specialist senior living houses or apartments (and maybe a golf course!).”

So, make sure you keep an open mind when you're considering starting a business in the care home sector.

Care home business plan

A carefully considered business plan can mean the difference between success and failure for a new business.

You should detail your objectives, mission, overheads etc. Starting a care home is an expensive business so you might want to include plans for finding finance if you don’t have the capital up front.

Download our business plan template here .

Nursing home start-up costs

Starting a care home is not a lean start-up model. Your primary consideration is going to be finding a suitable building and location.

Ada White from Ivelhurst Nursing Home in Yeovil, Somerset, says:

“You will need a minimum of £2m to start; the equipment is expensive but it's not the main expense.

“The main cost is the premises.

“For a care home to be profitable, you will need to be able to provide care for a minimum of 25 clients.

“A purpose-built home is the best choice, but to get immediate cash flow, you could look to buy a care home with a proven track record or a home that requires refurbishment while being able to continue operating. “It’s very important to choose a location where you can find staff as you will be employing a lot of unskilled people. They won’t want to travel too many miles to work, as it does not make financial sense to travel too far.

“Then you need to consider that a few of the relatives of the people residing in the home might be elderly themselves so they may need to use public transport or they would like to travel only a short distance to visit. So, a town is best, rather than a village with marvellous views as it’s not practical.”

You’ll obviously need a ready supply of residents or soon to be residents nearby.

The ongoing costs of running a care home are also considerable. Your energy costs are going to be high so it’s worth looking into getting a good deal on your business energy.

Nursing home profit margin

In the same way that many brits find the idea of privatisation in the NHS completely unpalatable, profit-seeking is a bit of a thorny issue in the care home sector, with many thinking you can’t boost profits without sacrificing the quality of care.  

This concern isn’t unfounded: the CMA’s study found that many care homes in the UK are living with an unsustainable level of debt, with private equity firms extracting huge returns with impunity.

However, White has a simple formula for a profitable care home: “Full occupancy, same as hotels”.

She says that working out how much to charge clients depends “on the size of the rooms and facilities. You then need to research what fees local authorities charge and work out the prices for private patients from there.”

In 2021, the average weekly fees are £704 per week for a residential care home, and £888 for a nursing home.

Buying or selling your care home

Seek the council of specialists when buying or selling a care home. Carehome.co.uk has a list of advisors in corporate finance, employment, funding issues, sales agencies and legal issues, as well as a regularly updated list of care homes for sale .

According to Christian Mancier, a corporate law partner at Gorvins Solicitors, making a successful exit will be dependent on achieving high inspection scores from the CQC:

“Lower scoring inspection reports give the buyer an opportunity to seek to reduce the price offered. As a consequence, maintaining consistently high scores actually helps drives value on an ultimate exit/sale.”

Reputation is everything in the care sector and a prospective buyer is unlikely to buy a home that is known for sub-quality care and has faced legal action.

Looking after people who can be extremely vulnerable does bring with it a fair amount of red tape and regulation and the need to be properly protected with adequate insurance policies. Find out everything you need to know about care home regulations and insurance here . 

Startups.co.uk is reader-supported. If you make a purchase through the links on our site, we may earn a commission from the retailers of the products we have reviewed. This helps Startups.co.uk to provide free reviews for our readers. It has no additional cost to you, and never affects the editorial independence of our reviews.

Written by:

Related articles.

CARE HOME BUSINESS PLAN: Template & Best Easy Guide in 2023

• by Kenechukwu Muoghalu
• August 14, 2023
• No comments
• 6 minute read

Table of Contents Hide

What is a care home business, why do i need a care home business plan, #1. remind yourself why you need a plan, #2. a detailed section about yourself, #3. executive summary, #4. company summary, #5. market analysis, #6. management team, #7. financial plan, care home business plan uk template, need to finish your care home business plan in 1 day, how much profit do care homes make in the uk, who should run a care home, what should care homes provide.

Whether you run an agency or a personal care home business, you will need a plan for it to flourish. Starting a care home business can be rewarding, but don’t forget that it comes with hefty responsibilities. These tasks can be lifted off your shoulders when you have a standby plan. To make the journey easier, this article has an example template that can help you formulate a UK care home business plan. This sample template for your business plan covers either medical or non-medical home care. 

If these processes sound overwhelming already, you can also choose to stick with our ready-made care home business plan . 

A clear example of a care home business involves medical and non-medical professional caregivers offering care and assistance to people. Home health care covers a wide range of services that can differ from one patient to the next. Most of the time, care home services may include physical therapy, speech therapy, or skilled nursing. 

A care home business can also cover assisting older adults with normal activities like bathing, dressing up, and eating. In summary, a care home refers to medical treatment or assistive care for patients who do not need hospitalization or facility care but do need help to live safely at home. 

Operating a care home business can be daunting, especially with the current hit of that industry in the UK. This is why you need a plan. A plan will be responsible for nurturing the vision of your business while convincing lenders and investors that you have a viable business concept. This article will be all you need to create one, and in any case, if you need any extra help, our ready-made care home business plan would go a long way. 

How to Write a Care Home Business Plan

Writing a business plan requires some procedures because, for a business plan to convert and serve its purpose, it must be well composed. These procedures include: 

Before you start writing your business plan, you will need to be mentally ready. Remind yourself why you need a business plan for your home care agency. Thorough preparation is important because when you fail to plan, you will plan to fail. You will need to put enough time, effort, and attention into the plan. 

A detailed business plan for your home care agency will not just help you attain success in the long term, it will also secure some funding for your business. 

This section of your business plan requires that you showcase the most relevant points about you and your career history. Introduce yourself and tell your readers why you are qualified to run this form of business. To make things more explicit, you can include your career background and experience in the care home industry. If in any case, you do not have the required experience, inform your reader of how you intend on gaining it.

List your UK qualifications, which can range from Care Quality Commission (CQC) to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). 

The purpose of the executive summary for your home care agency business plan is to give a brief description of your business. Most readers and investors go to this section because they expect you to give concise details on what your business is all about. It is best to keep this section simple and engaging. You can write your business name and location and also include your business’s legal structure. Include who your actual target market is and your mission statement. This section is usually the first to appear and the last to be written.

In the company summary for your homecare agency business plan, you will need to go into depth about your business services. Answer some questions that would give your readers more information about your business. Your pricing strategy, sales strategy, legal requirements, and growth potential, among others, should be included in this section of your business plan. Under this section, you should also include the type of services you offer. There is some care home business example you will need to choose from to make your plan stand out. 

One sample for your care home business plan is non-medical home care, while the other is a medical care home. The need for this motive is to define your services to enable you to concentrate on a specific market. If the sample business plan you want to go for is non-medical home care, then you should be aware of the services you will be expected to offer. You will also need to conduct thorough research on them before choosing one example of the care home business for your plan. 

The market analysis section should be about the information you got from your thorough research of the industry. The importance of this section is to help you understand the intentions of the market. In this section of your care home business plan, you can include your market area, where you will have to identify your primary and secondary markets. You can also include a target demographic, an overview of your competitors, and a demand analysis in your market analysis section. 

For the management team section of your home care agency business plan, you will need to include your business’s organizational team. Before a business venture can succeed, the operational team needs to be efficient. While writing this section, you can include an organizational chart, where you will have to describe your key employees. You can also include their work experience and specific roles in the industry. 

This is mostly the final part of your business plan, so you will need to make it perfect. It should contain some financial statements like your historical financial data, income statements, and organizational budgets. If, in any case, you didn’t complete your market analysis, then it will be hard to manoeuvre through this section. This is because you will need to include some information that only market research can provide. 

Aside from having a detailed procedure for composing the UK care home business plan, you will also need an example template. The essence of this template checklist is to enable you to follow due processes that can guide your steps while setting up a care home. Setting up a care home business can be daunting, but a template will always guide your tracks and help you stay in line. Let’s look at some of these necessary steps that shouldn’t be left out. 

• Choose a starting point
• Create a care home business plan
• Pick a business name
• Get the necessary qualifications and certifications
• Staffing and management
• Get insurance
• Buy supplies
• Promote your business

How would you feel when I tell you that you can finish up your business plan today? Yes, it is highly possible. 

The stress of writing a business plan is understandable, especially when you find it hard to fill out each section. That is why we made it easier by offering you a ready-made care home business plan . 

Businessyield Consult has helped over a thousand entrepreneurs compose a winning business plan. Grab a copy of your business plan here and share your success story with us. 

The increasing number of elderly members of society has led to an increase in the demand for care homes. Meanwhile, getting hold of a new business requires careful consideration and commitment. A care home business even requires more effort, which is why it is wise to start with a business plan. Having a working business plan will spare you from having to handle your business alone. It will serve as a companion while allowing you to map out your business goals and help you achieve those goals as well. 

When you own a care home business, you can make up to 35 to 40 per cent of profits from fees your clients get to pay. You can make up to £250 from a bed per week and will make more profits from other services you render to your clients. 

A care home business comes with responsibilities and not everyone can handle them. To make it in the care home business, you must have compassion and a genuine desire to help the lives of your clients and not just make profits. To successfully run a care home, you will need to have the right attitude. 

A care home should be able to provide accommodation, attention, respect, care and support for any customer that needs help with managing their daily life. As a home care provider, the services you render will be based on an individual’s needs. 

Related Articles

• EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF A BUSINESS PLAN: How To Write an Effective Executive Summary
• STARTING A WEDDING CAR BUSINESS| Detailed Guide
• Starting a Letting Agency: Complete Guide
• CHILD PROTECTION PLAN: Initiation & Purpose of Section 47

Kenechukwu Muoghalu

Hey! happy to have you on here. Kene is a professional Creative and Content Writer, coated with a Copywriting spirit. keep in touch!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

GENERAL DAMAGES: Definition And Detailed Overview

Business development plan: 7 basic components.

We noticed you're visiting from United States (US). We've updated our prices to United States (US) dollar for your shopping convenience. Use Pound sterling instead. Dismiss

Setting up a Home Care Business

All you need to know about starting and running your business.

In this article

What is a Home Care Business?

With people living longer and an ever-increasing life expectancy, it’s no surprise that the care industry in the UK is growing at a rapid pace.

A home care business is a great alternative to traditional residential care homes. Also known as domiciliary, home-based care businesses can offer a range of medical, care and daily living services to people with a variety of needs.

The main difference between a care business and a home care business is that home carers go into an individual’s home and provide care there. Many people think of residential care homes when thinking of what a carer does. However, this type of setting does not suit everybody. Many individuals who require care can be safely and effectively cared for at home.

Home care can be beneficial to people with a range of physical, mental and emotional needs and a variety of health conditions, including:

• Degenerative conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s.
• Cancer and tumours.
• Neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease or Huntington’s disease.
• Long-term or lifelong conditions, such as cerebral palsy or Down’s syndrome.
• Strokes or other brain damage.
• Physical disabilities.
• Mental health difficulties.
• Cognitive difficulties.
• Learning disabilities and learning disorders.
• An elderly person.
• A person who is bedridden.

Home care can be beneficial to any person who is struggling to undertake everyday tasks independently.

Care can be provided on a short-term or long-term basis and the level and complexity of the care can vary, depending on the individual’s needs. Care can be provided as frequently as the individual requires, with some individuals requiring care only once or twice a week and others requiring 24 hours a day care.

A home carer can assist with a variety of tasks, including:

• Personal care, such as using the toilet, washing and dressing.
• Eating and drinking.
• Support with mobility.
• Administering or assisting with medication or medical care.
• Support with household duties.
• Support with running errands or shopping.
• Meal preparation.
• Companionship.
• Mental health and emotional support.
• Palliative or end-of-life care.

Home care usually falls into two categories:

Medical Home Care

This can only be provided by medical professionals, such as nurses or doctors. It is most frequently used by people who have recently been discharged from hospital, those with serious or long-term health problems or medical conditions, senior citizens, and those coming to the end of life. Medical home care could involve administering medication, monitoring blood pressure or heart rate and treating injuries.

Non-Medical Home Care

Carers do not need to be medical professionals to provide this type of care. It instead involves assistance with day-to-day activities, support with personal care, and support to help the individual live independently. Non-medical home carers can even assist individuals with activities outside of the home, such as shopping, attending appointments and even going on holiday.

The type of care your home care business is able to provide will depend on the type of staff you employ and their qualifications. For example, your business could employ carers, nurses and therapists.

A person may opt for home-based care instead of using the services of a care home for a number of reasons:

• Their medical needs are less severe.
• The individual may be on end-of-life care.
• The individual may have specified that they want to remain in their own home.
• The individual may be unable to cope with changes to their routine.
• Some care can also be provided by family members.
• Home care many have been chosen as it is more cost-effective.
• Home care will be more beneficial to their wellbeing.

As part of your home care business, you must ensure all employees are qualified, reliable, compassionate and empathetic. Your employees (and yourself) will need to undergo regular training to ensure their knowledge of safeguarding, first aid and different conditions is up to date.

Some customers may fund 100% of the care themselves, meaning you will be responsible for collecting payment. Others may receive grants or funding from the government, the NHS or charities.

To successfully start your own home care business, you will need to have a thorough understanding of the care industry and previous carer experience. You will also need the skills to successfully manage your employees, assess needs and create schedules.

Types of Customers

The types of clients you will target with your home care business will depend on the qualification, skills and training of your staff.

You may choose to focus on one specific type of client or offer care to a wide range of individuals with different needs and levels of care requirements.

For example, you could target clients who require:

• 24 hours a day care.
• Consistent care throughout the day, but not at night.
• Checks or support every hour.
• Checks or support every few hours.
• One visit per day.
• Care or support once or twice per week.

Many home care businesses choose not to specialise and will instead provide care to any individual who needs it. However, if you decide to focus on offering a specific type of care to your clients, this will mean you are likely to have a specific client base.

Some things you should consider when deciding the type of care you will offer, and your typical client base are:

• How many staff you employ.
• The qualifications, skills, training and experience of your staff.
• Your equipment requirements.
• Any other home care businesses in your area and the type of care they offer.
• How much care (per day) you will offer to each client.
• Whether you accept government, NHS, grant or charity funded clients.

Equipment You Will Need

Your equipment requirements will vary, depending on the type of care you provide and the complexity of your clients’ needs.

Your equipment will be a vital part of your business. It will help to ensure your clients’ wellbeing, safety and comfort. Some equipment may be provided directly to your clients and be kept at their homes at all times. Other equipment may be transported with your staff.

Some equipment may be provided by you and other equipment may be provided by the NHS or the local authority.

Under the Health and Social Care Act (2008) , a home care business has a legal responsibility to ensure that any equipment is suitable for the purpose for which it is being used. To ensure that you are fulfilling your responsibility and providing the best possible care, you can request an assessment and receive recommendations from professionals, such as an Occupational Therapist.

Below is a list of the equipment typically required by home care businesses. Consider your business plan and your clients when determining which equipment you will need.

Personal care equipment

Many of your clients will require assistance with personal care. Some of the equipment and resources you may need for this include:

• Feeding equipment, such as specialist cutlery, bowls and cups.
• Bath lifts.
• Bath or shower grab rails.
• Shower seats.
• A shower or bath tray.
• Toilet frames.
• Continence products.
• Cotton cloths and towels.
• Disposable wipes.

Moving, handling and lifting equipment

This can be used in cases where the client is unable to get out of bed or move independently. This equipment can help to keep both your employees and the client safe.

• Transfer boards.
• Wheelchairs.
• Walking aids.
• Bath hoists.
• Slings of different sizes.
• Standing hoists.

Medical equipment

If you employ trained professionals and provide medical care, you will need a huge variety of equipment to support different medical conditions and needs.

You will need to ensure your staff are specially trained to use this equipment and administer any medication. You may also need to apply for specific licences to allow your business to administer medical treatment.

Some equipment you may require could include:

• Medical administration equipment.
• Medical testing kits.
• First aid equipment.
• Monitoring equipment, for example, equipment for monitoring heart rate and blood pressure, thermometers and blood glucose meters. You may need monitoring equipment that consistently monitors or provides a one-time reading.
• Respiratory equipment, such as ventilators and oxygen masks.
• Treatment and therapy equipment, such as infusion pumps and dialysis equipment.
• Voiding equipment.
• A defibrillator.
• Specialist beds and mattresses.

Other care equipment

Some other equipment you may require for home care could include:

• Antibiotic creams and ointments.
• Antiseptic wipes and solutions.
• Cotton balls, cotton wool and cotton swabs.
• Assorted bandages.
• Scissors and tweezers.
• Safety pins.
• Medicine cups, spoons and syringes.
• Equipment for measuring body weight.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as face masks, aprons or clothes coverings, hair coverings and gloves.
• Hand sanitiser.
• A personal alarm, so your clients can call for help in the event of an emergency.

Non-medical equipment

In many instances, the care your business provides will be non-medical. This could include supporting your clients with independent living and providing them with mental and emotional support and assisting them with activities.

Some of the equipment you may require for this type of care includes:

• Books, magazines and newspapers.
• Board games.
• Music and DVDs.
• Any equipment required to support the clients out of their homes, such as wheelchairs and an appropriate vehicle for transporting them.
• Calendars – providing your clients with calendars can be extremely beneficial. You can input information about your visits, any appointments and activities.
• Grooming beauty and pampering kits – such as hairbrushes, nail varnishes and beard grooming equipment.

Other equipment

• A rostering system – You can utilise software or a website to keep track of your staff rota, holidays, sickness and absences. This can help ensure you have the necessary staffing levels to meet your clients’ needs.
• Software for recording medication – Although some caring businesses still choose to write down medication using a physical Medicines Administration Record (MAR) chart, an online tool can be more reliable and result in fewer human errors. It also removes issues such as illegible handwriting. We will look more at MAR charts later.
• Vehicles – In order to visit multiple clients, each of your employees will require a vehicle. You may choose to provide company vehicles to your employees or allow them to use their own vehicles.
• Company mobile phones – So your employees are contactable.
• A computer and printer – These can be used for making records, checking a customer’s medical history, making appointments and for research purposes.
• A washing machine and dryer – For washing uniforms or staff clothing and other materials.
• Client files – These should include all necessary information about the client including age, health conditions, allergies, emergency contact information, power of attorney and medications.

Typical Costs

There are multiple different costs associated with a home care business. Some of these costs will be associated with setting up your business and others will be ongoing costs you will need to pay in order to run your business.

Some of the typical costs associated with a home care business are:

As you can see from the list above, your equipment requirements can be extensive. Your costs can vary depending on the type of home care business you run, the equipment needs of your clients and how much of the costs are covered by your local council or Community Health Services. Determine the equipment you need and contact your local council directly to find out what equipment costs you will be responsible for.

Your staff will be one of the most expensive but most important costs you will be responsible for. Depending on how many staff you employ and their role, the cost of paying your employees usually takes up between 40% and 60% of your business’s budget. When calculating the costs associated with your staff you should consider the number of staff you will employ and their hourly wage. You will also need to account for holiday pay, sick pay, National Insurance and any company pension.

Maintaining, repairing and replacing equipment

A lot of the equipment your business will use will be expensive. To reduce costs associated with replacing this equipment, and to ensure the health and safety of your clients and employees, you will need to maintain the equipment frequently. You may need to have any electrical equipment inspected regularly by a qualified professional. Any equipment that is showing signs of damage or may be unsafe should be repaired or replaced immediately. Equipment such as PPE, disposable products and first aid equipment will need to be replenished frequently. You can expect to pay between £1,000 and £20,000 per year, depending on the size of your business.

Business insurance

Business insurance can help to protect your business in the event of an accident or incident. Some insurance you may choose includes:

• Public Liability Cover
• Employers’ Liability Cover
• Professional Indemnity Insurance
• Business Equipment Insurance
• Medical Malpractice Cover
• Treatments’ Liability Insurance

Insurance costs can start at £10 per month, depending on your insurance provider and coverage levels.

Branding can help you to establish your business identity and set you apart from any local competition. Branding could include creating your business’s visual identity, a logo, your business name and your business website. You can hire a professional to help you with branding or do some of the work yourself. Branding can cost between £500 and £10,000, depending on the amount of branding you require.

Marketing and advertising

Marketing and advertising can help you to grow your business and maximise your profits. It is recommended that you spend between 1% and 3% of your annual turnover on marketing. For example, if your annual turnover is £200,000, it is recommended you spend between £2,000 and £6,000 per year on marketing and advertising.

Registration fees

You will need to pay the fees to register your business with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) or other relevant body. You will also need to pay an annual registration fee, which varies depending on the number of clients you have. Your registration fee will comprise a £239 overall fee + a £45.77 fee per client.

Once you have calculated your start-up and running costs, you can then determine your pricing policy.

Your pricing will depend on several factors:

• The level of care required.
• Whether the care is medical or non-medical.
• Any equipment requirements.
• Your location.
• How many carers are required per client at one time.
• Your operating costs.
• How much of the care is covered by your local authority.
• Your competitors’ pricing.
• Your acceptable profit margin.

On average, home care in the UK costs between £15 and £30 per hour.

Safely Running a Home Care Business

Safe practices are essential when running a home care business. It can help to ensure the safety of your clients and employees.

Safe practices can also help to protect your business.

Some safety protocols you can implement in your home care business are:

Conduct risk assessments

Risk assessments are only a legal requirement if your business has five or more employees. Even if you have fewer employees, risk assessments are recommended to ensure safe practices in your business. When conducting risk assessments, you should:

• Identify hazards.
• Determine who could be at risk.
• Evaluate the potential risks.
• Implement safety measures.
• Record the results of the risk assessment.
• Review the risk assessment on a regular basis.

Your risk assessments should also cover any additional risks related to individual clients.

Ensure all staff have high standards of personal hygiene

As part of your code of practice, ensuring the personal hygiene of you and your employees can help to protect vulnerable clients. Many viruses and illnesses spread through physical contact so ensuring frequent and correct handwashing can help to protect your clients.

Implement cleaning procedures

Although you will be in clients’ homes, it is still important that you implement cleaning procedures that are followed by all staff. This could include cleaning all equipment after use. You should also clean personal equipment, such as pens, files and mobile phones.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE is imperative to protect your clients and staff. The type of PPE required will vary depending on the tasks your staff are undertaking. It could include gloves, masks, aprons and hair coverings. PPE should be changed between each client and disposed of or washed properly.

Ensure staff are aware of manual handling procedures

Caring involves a lot of manual handling tasks, such as moving clients and carrying equipment. Manual handling tasks, when performed incorrectly, can result in injury. To protect the health and safety of your staff, ensure they are trained in manual handling regulations . You should also ensure they have the correct equipment to perform manual handling tasks safely.

Ensure the safety of equipment

Ensure all equipment is set up and used in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions and that safety standards are being met. Equipment should also be inspected regularly.

Ensure all staff are first aid trained

Even if your business doesn’t provide medical care, your staff will still need to be first aid trained and carry a first aid kit with them at all times. This will allow them to administer emergency treatment if necessary.

Protect your staff from threatening or abusive behaviour

Threatening or abusive behaviour could come from clients, especially if they are in pain, on medication or confused, or from upset or worried family members. As the business owner, it is your responsibility to protect your staff from threats or abuse. Implement procedures for dealing with threatening behaviour, record any incidents and ensure you support your staff as much as possible.

Keep dangerous objects away from clients

This includes medication, medical equipment, cleaning products and scissors. Any potentially dangerous objects should be kept out of the reach of clients at all times.

Ensure your staff are contactable at all times

In many instances, your staff will be visiting clients alone, which can be risky. To ensure the safety of your staff, implement procedures for staying in contact at all times. For example, you should always have the location of each staff member’s appointment and your staff should contact you (or the shift manager) before and after visiting each client. This will allow you to identify any safety concerns quickly.

Legal Requirements

The care industry is highly regulated in the UK and adhering to all legal requirements is essential.

Some legal requirements you should be aware of are:

Register with the relevant governing body

Under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 , you must register your home care business. You will need to complete your registration before you begin operating your home care business. The governing body you need to register with varies, depending on the country in the UK you live in:

• England: The Care Quality Commission (CQC).
• Wales: The Care Inspectorate.
• Scotland: The Care Inspectorate Wales.
• Northern Ireland: Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA).

Obtain criminal record checks

As you will be caring for vulnerable individuals, you and your employees must undergo a criminal record check and obtain a certificate. The type of check required depends on the country you live in:

• England: Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
• Wales: Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
• Scotland: Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme.
• Northern Ireland: AccessNI.

Medicines Administration Records (MARs)

You must keep up-to-date, accurate records about any medicines that were administered or when supporting clients in taking their medicines. These records can be on paper or electronic. To comply with regulations, the MARs must:

• Be legible.
• Be accurate.
• Be timed and dated.
• Be completed as soon as possible.
• Include information such as who administered the medication and whether the medication was taken or refused.
• Report any problems or changes in medication.

Retain records

Any records, including MARs, must be kept for a minimum of eight years after the individual’s care has ended. When destroying records, ensure this is done in line with the policies of your local authority.

Appoint a registered manager

By law, you must appoint a registered manager. This could be yourself or another qualified individual. The registered manager will be responsible for ensuring your business’s compliance, overseeing the care and the day-to-day running of your business. The registered manager will need to have the correct qualifications.

Acceptable qualifications include:

• A QCF Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care.
• A Registered Manager’s Award (RMA).
• An NVQ Level 4 in Leadership and Management for Care Services.

Ensure staff have the correct training

According to the Care Quality Commission (CQC), home care workers must have the relevant training, knowledge and skills to provide support with medication. Their knowledge should be updated annually, and they should undergo regular competency assessments.

Comply with regulations when ordering or transporting medication

If you order and transport medication, you will need to:

• Record the name, strength and quantity of the medication.
• Record the date of the order and the date the medication was received.
• Complete a risk assessment for transporting the medication.
• Store the medication safely and securely.

Create a Statement of Purpose (SOP)

This is a legal requirement that you must fulfil when applying to register your home care business.

It includes:

• Your business details.
• Your business’s aims and objectives.
• Where you provide your care services.
• Details of your appointed manager.

Obtain food hygiene certificates

If your staff members are involved in preparing or cooking food, or feeding your clients, they will require a food hygiene certificate. Staff members who are involved in food handling, preparation, serving or another aspect of the food process, will require a Level 2 certificate. If you are cooking food, you will need a Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate.

Positives of Owning a Home Care Business

A home care business can be a rewarding business in many ways. Many care business owners consider caring to be a vocation, making it emotionally rewarding, as well as financially rewarding.

Some of the main pros associated with owning a home care business are:

Unlimited income potential

A home care business can be extremely lucrative. Care businesses typically charge high prices to their clients. You will also have the opportunity to hire a lot of employees and grow your business across your area. You could also expand your business to other areas, growing your business further. With a strong business plan and implemented strategies to maximise your profits, the income potential for your business is unlimited.

You can build relationships with your clients and employees

If you choose a hands-on approach to your business, you can build deep and meaningful relationships. Your clients will usually spend a lot of time with you (or your carers) and will develop high levels of trust.

Really make a difference

Running a home care business can be extremely rewarding. Your business will provide care and support to vulnerable people or people coming to the end of their lives and you can make a hugely positive difference to their health, wellbeing and quality of life.

You can help people stay in their own homes

Leaving your home to live in a care home can be extremely distressing. A home care business can allow people to choose to stay in the comfort of their own home, while still getting the care and support they need.

Consistently growing industry

With an increasingly ageing population, the care industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. This gives you the opportunity for further growth, either by extending your business to accommodate more clients or by expanding your business to other areas. Your business is always going to be in demand, which is a huge advantage for business owners.

Choose your clients

You can choose your clients based on who you think your business will be able to offer the best care and support to. If you think a potential client’s needs are too complex for your staff, you will have the ability to turn down their care or recommend another business to them.

You can screen and match your clients to their perfect carer

You can carefully choose the perfect carer for each client, based on their medical, emotional and personal needs. You can ensure your clients are receiving the best possible care, while still ensuring your business makes a profit.

Control your own workload

You can be involved as little or as much with the day-to-day running of your business. You can choose to work hands-on with your clients and employees or employ a care manager to allow you to take a step back from many of the responsibilities. Controlling your own workload is one of the biggest positives of running your own business.

Predictable income stream

A home care business will have the same clients they see daily and weekly. The consistency of work means that both your income and your outgoings are predictable. Even if you stop working with a client, people always need care, meaning you should never have to worry about a drop in your profits.

Face-to-face interaction

A home care business will involve a lot of face-to-face interaction – with your employees, your clients, their families and other healthcare professionals. If you are a people person who enjoys spending time with others, this can be very rewarding.

Become integrated into the local community

Many people in your community will have friends, relatives or neighbours requiring care. Carers and care businesses are usually well-respected in the local community. You will also have the opportunity to get to know families and other professionals in the local area.

Negatives of Owning a Home Care Business

Although owning a home care business can be rewarding in many ways, there are also some important cons you should be aware of:

It can be stressful

Not only will you have a lot of responsibility, but you will also witness some potentially distressing things, such as people coming to the end of their life, people in pain and distraught family members. This can be extremely stressful and emotionally exhausting. Ensuring your business is providing the best possible care, managing your employees and taking care of your administrative duties can all add to your stress.

Time commitment

Some of your clients will require 24 hours a day care and frequent visits throughout the day and night. Even if you are not involved directly in their care yourself, you may need to be available to assist your employees or answer questions from the client, their families and medical staff. As well as being demanding on your time, the care industry can also be emotionally demanding and can be difficult to switch off from, even when you are at home or taking time off for a holiday.

High liability

People who require home care are often considered extremely vulnerable, and many everyday activities can be a risk to their health and safety. Care home residents are at high risk of injury, illness, dehydration and other health issues. If a client becomes ill or injured under your care, your business may be considered liable.

High start-up costs and running costs

Although your costs will be lower than a residential care home, they are still relatively high and can cause financial strain. Your staffing, equipment, vehicles, marketing costs and administrative costs can all be substantial and can make it more difficult for your business to turn a profit.

Strict laws and regulations

The care industry is highly regulated and there are many laws and regulations you will need to abide by. You will need to research your legal requirements and ensure your business is operating in line with the law. Failure to do so could result in a fine, the forced closure of your business or even prosecution.

The job can be physically demanding

You (or your staff) will be on your feet for a lot of the day and be involved in manual handling activities, such as moving clients, carrying equipment and bending down. The physical strain can result in aches, pains and even injuries.

The motivation of your employees

Although you will have the power to hire your employees, it can be more difficult to control their motivation once they are working for you. Many carers are paid minimum wage even though their job can be physically and emotionally demanding, and this can have a negative impact on their motivation. If your staff are unmotivated, have a negative attitude, or don’t follow your business values, this can be harmful to your business and your clients.

It can be competitive

You will be competing with care homes, other home care businesses and NHS or government-funded carers. Having multiple businesses to compete with can make it more difficult for your business to succeed.

Planning Your Home Care Business

When starting up a home care business, you will need to create a business plan. Your business plan will help your business to succeed and grow.

It will need to include:

• Your company information.
• Your company description.
• The care services you will provide.
• Your branding, marketing and advertising plan.
• The structure of your business, including management and employees.
• The operational plan for your business.
• The financial plan for your business.

Some of the considerations you should make when creating your business plan are:

Will your business provide medical or non-medical care?

This is one of the first decisions you will need to make when setting up your business. The type of home care business you run will have a significant impact on your equipment and staffing requirements, your typical client base, your funding and your pricing strategy.

What are your equipment requirements?

Consult the list above to help you determine your equipment requirements. You will need to decide what equipment you require and research which equipment will be provided or funded by other sources, and which will need to be funded by your business directly. Consider your budget, the type of care you will provide, and your clients’ needs when determining your equipment requirements.

What are your staffing requirements?

The staff you will require depends on the type of care you provide. If you provide medical home care, you may need nurses, physician associates and therapists. You will need to ensure you have enough staff to meet your clients’ needs and that all of your staff are correctly trained. You will also need to decide whether you will be the registered manager, or if you are going to hire a registered manager.

How many clients can you provide care for?

Being aware of how many clients you are able to care for can help you ensure you maximise your business and influence your marketing strategy. The number of clients you can care for will depend on their needs and your staffing.

What is the level of care your business can provide?

Will you offer care to clients who require round-the-clock care or will your offer regular care visits? The level of care you are able to provide will affect your staffing requirements and client base.

What are your start-up costs and running costs?

Consult the list above to help you calculate your start-up costs and running costs. Being aware of your approximate costs allows you to determine how you will finance your business and when you are likely to start making a profit. Starting up a home care business can be expensive. Depending on your predicted costs, you may need to acquire investment, for example via a bank loan or an external investor.

What is your pricing strategy?

Once you have calculated your start-up costs and running costs, you can then calculate your pricing policy. Consider your location, facilities, experience, training, type of care home business you run and the pricing of your competitors. Your pricing policy should be transparent and easy to understand.

What are your business objectives?

Planning the future of your home care business and creating a one-year, three-year and five-year plan can be pivotal to the success and growth of your business. Having clear business objectives and a business plan can help to attract prospective investors and help you to identify which aspects of the care home require particular investment.

Your business objectives should be SMART:

• S = Specific
• M = Measurable
• A = Achievable
• R = Realistic
• T = Time-bound

Have you complied with all legal requirements?

Consult the list of legal requirements above to check you have complied with all requirements and regulations and that all your paperwork is accurate. Failure to comply with legal requirements could have a detrimental effect on your business or could result in a fine, the forced closure of your business or, in serious cases, prosecution.

Download our business plan

Moving and Handling in Care

Food Safety and Hygiene in Care

Care Certificate

Supervision in Care

Celebrating our clients and partners.

• Finance & Property
• Forward Features 2023

New business model needed for homecare in the UK

UK homecare services in need of a new business model as shrinking demand, falling profitability and variable quality undermines confidence  

Shrinking social care budgets, in combination with stricter eligibility criteria, have reduced the number of individuals in England receiving homecare through their local authorities since the beginning of the millennium from 415,000 in 2000 to roughly 279,000 now. At the same time, however, the number of hours of care that each client receives has almost doubled from 6.7 to 13 hours per week– showing that the intensity of needs being managed within people’s own homes has risen dramatically.

The news echoes the oft repeated message that local authorities are closing their doors to some ‘lower needs’ due to the still prevalent pressures brought about by the government’s austerity measures, according to latest research from healthcare intelligence company LaingBuisson, published in Homecare, Supported Living & Allied Services .

This reduction in users, and increase in intensity has evolved at the same time as the shift from in-house provision to use of independent sector organisations. Latest data collected together in the report shows that an estimated 97% of publicly funded contact hours in England are now outsourced to independent sector providers, mainly for-profit companies. The bulk of homecare and supported living is also outsourced in Wales , Scotland and Northern Ireland.

But despite having taken over almost the entirety of supply, independent sector providers serving the publicly funded market have suffered from a severe squeeze in prices and profitability. In the last year, the then market leader Saga along with another major provider Care UK have exited publicly funded sector while two other providers, Mears and Mitie, have reported operating losses in their homecare divisions and aggregate operating profitability (EBITDA) of the eight for-profit operators plunged to a wafer thin 2.9% of revenue for accounting years ending in 2015.

Meanwhile, the privately funded market remains buoyant, prices are typically higher that the rock bottom rates that many councils pay and companies serving the private market, such as City & County Healthcare and Helping Hands, remain profitable.

LaingBuisson estimates the addressable UK market value of homecare and supported living at £6.5 billion in 2014/15, with the independent sector accounting for £6.2 billion of this total, and just £300 million remaining with council’s own in-house homecare teams.

Taking independent sector supply alone, 31% of overall homecare and supported living services are directly consumer driven – financed either privately out of the pockets of recipients or their families, or quasi-privately from ‘Direct Payments’ which councils offer to eligible individuals to enable them to buy their own care and support. The remaining 69% is purchased by local authorities or (to a smaller extent) the NHS. The sector is therefore highly dependent on public sector commissioning decisions, far more so than the care home sector where over half of demand is financed privately or quasi-privately. Heavy reliance on cash starved public sector commissioners is a major risk for homecare providers as austerity policies.

This dependency is alarming, according to report co-author and healthcare researcher Eleni Giatsi, given that since 2010 the gross social care spending envelope for English councils has fallen by 8% in real terms.

Despite some consolidation, the homecare market remains highly fragmented on the supply side. The top four independent sector providers collectively hold a market share of 12%, making the sector the second least concentrated segment across the independent health and social care market, right after care homes for mentally ill and learning disabled people. The homecare and supported living market leader, Allied Healthcare (recently acquired by the ‘bottom fishing’ private equity house Aurelius), had estimated homecare revenue of £250 million in 2015 (after extracting revenue from its GP out-of-hours division). This gives the company a 4% share of all independent sector homecare and supported living provision across the UK. The publicly quoted Mears Group is the second largest provider with a 3% market share.

Figure one Number of service users of local authority homecare and service intensity (hours per user per week), all clients, England 2000-2015

Source: Homecare, Supported Living & Allied Services – first edition , LaingBuisson, 2016.

Report co-author Ms Giatsi commented:

“ This cocktail of financial pressures, staffing shortages, a shrinking budget from local authorities, and various instances of quality concerns create a fragile ecosystem in homecare provision.

At the same time, however, local government and the NHS have started to view the provision of care and support services within peoples’ own homes as a lever for achieving integrated care goals and providing better care. What’s more, private individuals are increasingly exploring homecare as an alternative to moving into residential care settings.

This is a genuine ‘make or break’ moment for the homecare sector – either it will succumb to the pressures of a bust, price driven,’ time and task’ model and deteriorate further into a low quality product –or forward looking commissioners and providers will seize the opportunity to develop sustainable, outcome-based business models delivering integrated homecare services across the boundaries of social and health care.”

LaingBuisson’s Homecare, Supported Living & Allied Services report is a fully revamped and revised successor to the well-respected Domiciliary Care UK Market Report (last published in 2013). The research which informs the report has been considerably updated to focus on the core homecare and supported living markets, with additional coverage on home healthcare, telecare and related markets to reflect the ways in which this environment has evolved and grown both in terms of commissioning, service delivery and funding and investor behaviours.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Bn care grows after securing joint finance package from hsbc uk and bgf, social care recruitment and retention remains a challenge, local authorities and social care, set up to fail.

Fantastic to hear how people are changing and improving homecare in the UK.

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Contact us: [email protected]

Copyright @Care Industry News 2023

Privacy Overview

Cookies on the NHS England website

We’ve put some small files called cookies on your device to make our site work.

We’d also like to use analytics cookies. These send information about how our site is used to a service called Google Analytics. We use this information to improve our site.

Let us know if this is OK. We’ll use a cookie to save your choice. You can  read more about our cookies before you choose.

Change my preferences I'm OK with analytics cookies

Primary care home model

Primary care home is an innovative approach to strengthening and redesigning primary care.

Developed by the National Association of Primary Care (NAPC), the model brings together a range of health and social care professionals to work together to provide enhanced personalised and preventative care for their local community.

Staff come together as a complete care community – drawn from GP surgeries, community, mental health and acute trusts, social care and the voluntary sector – to focus on local population needs and provide care closer to patients’ homes.

Primary care home shares some of the features of the multispecialty community provider (MCP) – its focus is on a smaller population enabling primary care transformation to happen at a fast pace, either on its own or as a foundation for larger models.

NHS England Chief Executive Simon Stevens launched the primary care home programme in October 2015. Supported by the new care models programme, 15 rapid test sites were chosen in December 2015. The programme has since expanded to more than 200 sites across England, serving nine million patients, 16% of the population. The sites have come together as a community of practice to develop and test the model.

Four key characteristics make up the primary care home:

• an integrated workforce, with a strong focus on partnerships spanning primary, secondary and social care;
• a combined focus on personalisation of care with improvements in population health outcomes;
• provision of care to a defined, registered population of between 30,000 and 50,000.

For further information about the primary care home model email [email protected] , or visit the national association of primary care website . You can also follow them on Twitter .

• International edition
• Australia edition

84% of care home beds in England owned by private firms

For-profit companies own 381,524 of England’s care home beds, thinktank finds

More than eight out of 10 care home beds are provided by profit-driven companies, including more than 50,000 by large operators owned by private equity firms, research reveals.

Private companies now own and run 84% of beds in care homes in England used by older people, as local councils have almost totally withdrawn from a key area of social care they used to dominate.

The disclosure of the private sector’s huge market share has raised concerns because some of the biggest operators have large debts, are alleged to use tax avoidance schemes and drive down staff pay. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) watchdog has said inadequate staffing levels at care homes can lead to elderly residents receiving poor-quality care.

For-profit companies own 381,524 (83.6%) of England’s 456,545 care home beds, research by the IPPR thinktank (in partnership with Future Care Capital) has found, based on analysis of data from the CQC and Companies House, an increase on the 82% in 2015.

“The state has abdicated its responsibility for providing care over recent decades. The private sector may have filled this gap but it consistently puts profits before people,” said Harry Quilter-Pinner, a senior research fellow at the IPPR and co-author of the report.

“The fact that private equity-backed firms have taken over a significant share of the UK’s care provision, fuelled by debt and driven by the prospect of rising property prices and ever-lower care costs, puts our vital social care system at ever-increasing risk,” said Grace Blakeley, co-author of the report and IPPR research fellow.

In contrast, 13% of beds are provided by the voluntary sector and 3% by local councils, which for decades were the main provider of residential care for vulnerable older people.

“It’s shocking that so much of our social care is provided by large private providers who put profits before people and where too often the quality of care provided just isn’t good enough,” said Barbara Keeley, the shadow cabinet minister for mental health and social care.

“Social care is in urgent need of reform and yet the Tory government has abandoned responsibility for the care needs of older people and working-age people and they have no credible plan to fix this crisis.”

Ninety-one percent of councils have increased their use of private-sector care home beds since 2015 as alternatives have shrunk, the research shows. The IPPR analysed trends in bed use by 147 of England’s 151 councils. Overall, 133 of the 147 authorities had done that; just 14 had reduced their reliance on privately provided places.

Kensington and Chelsea council in London saw the biggest increase in private use in that time, rising by 50.9%. The next largest increases were seen in Westminster (42.7%), Bracknell Forest in Berkshire (32.6%) and Tower Hamlets in east London (25.5%).

Private firms have increased their domination of care home places over the past few years while the government has repeatedly cut core funding to councils for social care. While Whitehall spending has grown in recent years, the £21.3bn it gave to councils last year was £700m less than the £22bn it put into social care in 2010-11.

Boris Johnson has pledged to end what many critics claim is the “scandal” of social care. Fewer older people receive help with basic tasks such as washing and dressing than in 2010 as a result of government cuts.

The IPPR urged ministers to re-establish the state as a major provider of care homes by spending £7.5bn in order to provide up to 75,000 extra beds by 2030, with care provided by councils or other not-for-profit organisations, to help cope with the sharp rise in the number of over-75s and over-85s expected in the next decade.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “We expect everyone to be able to access high-quality, safe and compassionate care. Already 84% of providers are rated good or outstanding by the Care Quality Commission.

“People who receive care and their families should be able to have confidence that their care provider has a sustainable future.

“We have given local authorities an additional £1.5bn for social care next year, on top of their existing grants, to continue to stabilise the sector. The prime minister has said that the government will set out plans to fix the social care system in due course.”

This article was amended on 19 September 2019 to add that IPPR research was done in partnership with Future Care Capital.

• Social care
• Private healthcare
• Health policy
• Care Quality Commission (CQC)
• Local government

Most viewed

James O'Brien 10am - 1pm

Rachel Johnson

Now Discussing

James O'Brien is Leading Britain's Conversation.

Use the Global Player app to listen to live radio for LBC & LBC News

'Care home business model doesn't allow for quality care', Baroness Bakewell tells LBC

14 May 2021, 16:18 | Updated: 17 May 2021, 14:42

Baroness Bakewell: 'Care home model doesn't allow for quality care'

By Tim Dodd

Baroness Joan Bakewell tells the Difficult Women podcast that care homes experienced "tragic neglect" during the pandemic, as the sector is "run for profit" instead of "quality care."

Listen & subscribe: Global Player | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

Speaking to Rachel Johnson this week on Difficult Women is broadcaster, author, journalist and member of the House of Lords Baroness Joan Bakewell.

Rachel asked Joan: "If the government was to do this again in a subsequent pandemic, how do you think they should arrange life for the elderly better?"

Joan replied: "When it hit we took several wobbly turns because it was completely new, and the neglect of the care homes was really tragic, just so distressing. People - by the time they're in a care home - they're not going to stand up and shout, or complain, or write to their MP.

"The problem is Rachel, you have a system in which care homes are often run for profit, and it's very hard to fund a care home. You need a lot of money to be spent on the care of the old, their circumstances and their welfare. And if you are running it as a business, it's in the nature of a business plan to keep the cost as low as is reasonable, without neglecting care.

"But it doesn't open the opportunities for spending lavishly on the care of the old. The charities that run care homes are often run as more attractive establishments."

Joan also spoke about her experiences working in misogynistic workplaces:

"I was a woman in a world where men reached out and touched women and fondled them, and would take any chance they could to squeeze up against them, to proposition them. If you had an affair with a man it probably promoted your career a little bit.

"You dealt with it. There were ways of avoiding it, or dealing with it - either shouting about it or moving away, making sure you weren't alone in the same room as someone, or in the same lift.

"Women negotiated these matters as they wanted to, and it suited some of them quite well. I just regarded it as part of the landscape, it was the water in which I swam. It wasn't exceptionally bad behaviour, it wasn't even considered bad behaviour."

When asked if she would complain to her line manager if it was happening to her as a young woman today, Joan said: "I think it's died out a lot in society. So when you read a case of an MP being reported for having put his hand on someone's knee, you think - they don't know what went on.

"The world has changed. A hand on the knee has to be removed or slapped, but it doesn't have to be reported to the law I don't think."

Latest News

See more Latest News

Hundreds of schools still in dark over concrete safety fears as pressure grows on ministers to reveal full list

Uk to be hotter than thailand as african plume hits - with warm weather set to stay until october, red alert issued in spain as heavy rain sweeps the country - and residents warned to stay indoors, weight-loss jab wegovy launched in uk today via nhs and some private doctors, calls for manslaughter charges as domestic abusers 'escape justice' following victim suicides, police probe roy keane 'headbutt' incident after heated row with fan at arsenal v man utd game, rishi sunak 'to overturn ban on onshore wind farms' amid concerns over tory rebellion, schools remain in dark over concrete crisis as fears grow that ‘thousands’ more could be at risk of collapse, channel migrant crossings hit new daily record for 2023 as 872 people cross on 15 small vessels, 'i don't think there's any point': tory mp rejects mick lynch's plea to negotiate with rail unions live on tv, best of lbc.

See more Best of LBC

Ben Wallace steps down: Former Defence Secretary's best LBC moments

Best of 2022: tom swarbrick caller describes his 'ridiculous' energy bills rise.

8 months ago

Best of 2022: Iain Dale doesn't believe in proportional representation for Westminster elections

Download lbc podcasts, how to listen, how to listen to lbc: fm, digital radio, tv, online, mobile.

• Work & Careers
• Life & Arts

Private equity and Britain’s care home crisis

Make informed decisions with the ft.

Keep abreast of significant corporate, financial and political developments around the world. Stay informed and spot emerging risks and opportunities with independent global reporting, expert commentary and analysis you can trust.

Try unlimited access

• Then $69 per month
• New customers only
• Cancel anytime during your trial

What is included in my trial?

During your trial you will have complete digital access to FT.com with everything in both of our Standard Digital and Premium Digital packages.

Standard Digital includes access to a wealth of global news, analysis and expert opinion. Premium Digital includes access to our premier business column, Lex, as well as 15 curated newsletters covering key business themes with original, in-depth reporting. For a full comparison of Standard and Premium Digital, click here .

Change the plan you will roll onto at any time during your trial by visiting the “Settings & Account” section.

What happens at the end of my trial?

If you do nothing, you will be auto-enrolled in our premium digital monthly subscription plan and retain complete access for $69 per month.

For cost savings, you can change your plan at any time online in the “Settings & Account” section. If you’d like to retain your premium access and save 20%, you can opt to pay annually at the end of the trial.

You may also opt to downgrade to Standard Digital, a robust journalistic offering that fulfils many user’s needs. Compare Standard and Premium Digital here .

Any changes made can be done at any time and will become effective at the end of the trial period, allowing you to retain full access for 4 weeks, even if you downgrade or cancel.

When can I cancel?

You may change or cancel your subscription or trial at any time online. Simply log into Settings & Account and select "Cancel" on the right-hand side.

You can still enjoy your subscription until the end of your current billing period.

What forms of payment can I use?

We support credit card, debit card and PayPal payments.

Explore our subscriptions

Find the plan that suits you best.

Professional

Premium access for businesses and educational institutions.

Check if your university or organisation offers FT membership to read for free.

Cookies on FT Sites

We use cookies and other data for a number of reasons, such as keeping FT Sites reliable and secure, personalising content and ads, providing social media features and to analyse how our Sites are used.

International Edition

The Care Homes for Older People UK Market Report is indispensable reading for advisors, investors, commissioners, policymakers, and service providers involved in this dynamic and changing market. The Care Homes for Older People completes the series to give anyone with an interest in the care and support of the over 65s a comprehensive market picture not found anywhere else.

The major challenge for the sector on the horizon is 'social care charging reform', in particular, the implementation of Clause 18(3) of the Care Act 2014 and the Fair Cost of Care funding changes. The government's intention is to raise council-paid fees sufficiently to counterbalance the loss of private pay premiums, and so maintain the incentives for care home operators and investors.

But there are concerns that the government will miscalculate. While popular politically, these reforms are likely to be highly disruptive to the care home market. Finding the balance between the state and the individual will be delicate.

When combined with higher interest rates, there may be a negative impact on investor sentiment. Consequently, this could prove detrimental to care home modernization, which has been driven by private-sector investors over the last two decades.

The report also suggests a strategy for 'benefit loss tapering' in the care sector, which could make a real contribution to the social care workforce shortages which are having a knock-on impact on the NHS as well. Further details of this can be found in the report.

What the report covers

• Policy and Regulation
• Historic Market Growth
• Future Market Growth
• Demand and Supply
• Operational Metrics - cost, fees and occupancy rates
• Operational Models
• Investment Models
• Performance Measures
• Major Providers
• Market Structure
• Market Potential
• Appendices Glossary Regulators Trade Bodies Financial Appendix

Who is the report for

• Operators of residential care and nursing homes
• Homecare agencies and providers
• Nursing agency operators
• Local authority commissioners
• CCG commissioners
• Directors of adult social services
• Care advisors
• Banks and investors
• Management consultants
• Business advisors
• Long-term care insurance providers
• Central government
• Think tanks
• Policy writers

Key Topics Covered:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND HIGHLIGHTS

1.1 Definition and scope

1.2 Data sources

1.3 Market size

1.4 Segmentation

1.5 Funding by payor type

1.7 Demand drivers

1.8 Demand and supply

1.9 Staffing

1.10 Key operational metrics

1.11 Operating and investment models

1.12 Performance measures

2. POLITICS AND REGULATION

2.1 Historical background: privatisation of social care services from the late-1970s

2.2 The English social care funding reforms 2021

2.3 Political consensus on social care, other than funding issues

2.4 Other legislation and policies

2.5 Regulation of social services

2.6 Profile of regulators

3.1 Customer profiles

3.2 Payor trends

3.3 Public sources of finance - local authorities

3.4 Public sources of finance - the NHS

3.5 Private payers

3.6 Long-term care insurance and other LTC financial products

4. MARKET STRUCTURE

4.1 Market concentration

4.2 Group penetration

4.3 Consolidation and deconsolidation

4.4 Segmentation by provider sector, registration type and size of home

4.5 Exits and entries

4.6 Barriers to entry

4.7 Economies of scale and scope

4.8 Brand value

4.9 Sources of capital

4.10 Scale, age and quality of stock

5. INVESTORS

5.1 Returns sought by investors

5.2 Sources of capital for investment

5.3 Transactions and exit multiples

6. MARKET POTENTIAL

6.1 Alternative care home models

6.2 Digital technologies

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/93yf0k

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

• Business and industry

Food business registration

You must register with the council to run a food business.

Apply now: Register with your local authority .

If you sell, cook, store, handle, prepare or distribute food for the public, you may be considered a food business and will need to register with your local authority .

This includes food businesses trading:

• from physical customer-facing premises
• from a mobile unit or temporary premises
• online (for example via social media or a website) or through distance selling (distance selling means any selling that happens without face-to-face contact with the consumer).

Who needs to register

You will need to register with your local authority if you:

• store or handle food
• prepare food
• distribute food

Registration will apply to all types of food and drink businesses who sell food directly to the public, regardless of where they operate from. It includes businesses trading from home, a mobile unit, or temporary premises such as a stall or van and also applies if you only sell food or drink online.

Companies involved with food distribution, brokerage or food supply that operate from an office should also register as a food business. This applies even if no food is kept at the premises.

If you operate in more than one location, you need to register each site with the local authority in which they are located. If you are unsure if you need to register or require further advice, please contact your local authority in England, Wales or Northern Ireland .

Registering as a childminder

If you provide food with your childminding business in England, the details you provide to Ofsted or your childminder agency will also be used to register you as a food business with your local authority. You will not have to register separately.

You must comply with food safety and hygiene regulations if you provide food and drink for children or babies including:

• drinks (apart from mains tap water)
• reheated food provided by a parent/carer
• food that you cut up and prepare

Childminder registration requirements differ in Wales and Northern Ireland if you provide food with your childminding business. Contact your local authority for more information.

If you are a childminder in Scotland you need to complete a childminders food business registration form and send it to your local authority.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland

You are required to register at least 28 days before trading. We recommend that you do not register too early, but that you wait until 28 days before you are ready to start your operations.

Use the Getting ready to start your food business checklist to make sure that you have considered everything before you register, or contact your local authority if you require further advice.

Information and advice to help you start up your food business is available on the Food Standards Scotland website . Alternatively, contact your local authority in Scotland if you require further advice.

Is this page useful?

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Travis Barker leaves hospital with pregnant wife Kourtney Kardashian after postponing Blink-182 tour due to ‘urgent family matter’

Share this with

Travis Barker has been seen outside a hospital with his pregnant wife Kourtney Kardashian after Blink-182 postponed their tour due to an urgent matter.

The band was  forced to postpone their world tour last week,  announcing that their drummer, 47, had to rush home from Glasgow.

A statement on the band’s Twitter page read: ‘Due to an urgent family matter, Travis has had to return home to the States.

‘The Glasgow, Belfast, and Dublin shows are being postponed.

‘More information in regards to his return to Europe and rescheduled dates will be provided as soon as available.’

No further details were given and Kourtney, 44, who is  pregnant with her and Travis’s first child, was not mentioned.

Pictures have since shown the couple leaving a Los Angeles hospital on Saturday (September 2).

The A-listers – known by fans as Kravis – clambered into an SUV.

Both cut casual figures in baggy outfits, with Kourtney wearing a grey maternity set and covering her eyes with sunglasses.

Travis, meanwhile, wore black cargo trousers with a long-sleeved tee and wore a hat on his head.

The sighting of the couple comes after Travis’s ex-wife offered some clarity on the situation.

Shanna Moakler, 48, was  married to Travis from 2004 until 2008  and they share children Landon, 19, and Alabama, 17.

Travis is also a doting stepfather to Shanna’s daughter Atiana, 24, whose biological father is Oscar De La Hoya.

Speaking to TMZ , Shanna assured that the emergency had nothing to do with their own son or daughter.

The musician’s ex added to photographers in LA that people have been asking her lots of questions.

‘A lot of people are reaching out to me, I don’t know what’s going on,’ she told the outlet.

‘I just know that our kids are safe and sound and obviously that’s important to me.’

Shanna added: ‘Whenever they have to cancel shows, that’s a really big deal so I’m just praying that his immediate family, and baby, and Kourtney, and everyone is safe and ok.

‘I’ll be sending my prayers and well wishes.’

Due to an urgent family matter, Travis has had to return home to the States. The Glasgow, Belfast, and Dublin shows are being postponed. More information in regards to his return to Europe and rescheduled dates will be provided as soon as available. — blink-182 (@blink182) September 1, 2023

Travis himself is yet to speak out, but did share a series of cryptic posts on social media after jetting home, including snaps of prayer rooms and stained glass windows.

Blink-182 are yet to give an update on their tour shows.

Following a short summer break, the All The Small Things hitmakers were due to resume their tour at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro on September 1, later playing in European cities such asBelfast, Dublin, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Stockholm, Prague and Amsterdam, Paris and London. 

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Selena Gomez reunites with besties Nicola and Brooklyn Peltz-Beckham on night out at Beyonce’s Renaissance Tour

MORE : Global search launched for Sir Paul McCartney’s missing guitar worth £10,000,000

Get us in your feed