How to setup a homecare business

Welcome to the world of homecare.  It’s a great business to be in, with opportunities to make a real difference to people’s lives.

As a homecare provider, you give vital support to people in their own homes.

With the older population growing, there is scope to provide services ranging from basic companionship through to full nursing care at home.  Younger people with support needs also need care.

The sector is not always hugely profitable but offers significant rewards in human terms.

It is an important part of the economy, shifting the emphasis from hospital care to support at home, within the community.

Interested in setting up? You may be coming from a related profession, or perhaps you have experienced homecare first hand.

These pages set out what you need to consider if you are planning to start a homecare business. 

Starting a new business

England

Care regulation started in England on 1 April 2003. From that date, new domiciliary care agencies were prohibited from operating unless and until they registered with the Care Quality Commission. This requirement applies to services providing personal care to people in their own homes in England.

For further details of registration in England, contact CQC or see www.cqc.org.uk for regional offices

CQC National Customer Service Centre
Citygate
Gallowgate
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4PA

Telephone: 03000 616 161

More information: www.cqc.org.uk/content/contact-us

Wales

Care regulation started in Wales on 1 March 2004.

From that date, new domiciliary care agencies are prohibited from operating unless and until they are registered with the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales. This requirement applies to services providing personal care to people in their own homes in Wales.

Leaflets on registration are available from cssiw.org.uk.

Registration packs are available from CSSIW regional offices:

More information: cssiw.gov.wales/contactus

Scotland

Care at home regulation started in Scotland on 22 December 2003.

Care at home providers and housing support services are required to apply for registration with the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care (the Care Commission).

Care at home registration packs are available from regional or local offices of the Care Commission. Information on the offices and registration is available on www.careinspectorate.com.

Care Commission
Compass House
11 Riverside Drive
Dundee
DD1 4NY

Tel: 0345 600 9527 or, if your enquiry is about our eforms please call 0345 603 0890

More Information: www.careinspectorate.com/index.php/contact-us

Northern Ireland

The Regulation Quality and Improvement Authority (RQIA) is the body responsible for care regulation in Northern Ireland. The website can be found at www.rqia.org.uk.

The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority
9th Floor Riverside Tower
5 Lanyon Place
BELFAST
BT1 3BT

Tel Belfast: 028 9051 7500
Tel Omagh: 028 8224 5828
 

More information: www.rqia.org.uk/contact_us/index.cfm

Disclosure and Barring

Homecare Association operate a Disclosure Service to enable customers to complete criminal records checks. For more information see our Disclosure Service page.

For information on Disclosure and Barring checks:

England and Wales
Disclosure and Barring Service – 03000 200 190 Disclosure and Barring Service website

Scotland
Disclosure Scotland – 0870 609 6006 www.disclosurescotland.co.uk

Northern Ireland
Access NI – 0300 200 7888 www.accessni.gov.uk

Health and safety

For information on health and safety, Health & Safety, Risk Assessment or Writing a Health and Safety Policy Statement you should contact the Health & Safety Information Line on 0870 1545 500 www.hse.gov.uk

Income tax

National Insurance general enquiries 0300 200 3500
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/national-insurance-enquiries-for-employees-and-individuals

VAT (general help line for all enquiries 0300 200 3700)
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/vat-enquiries

This information is available from your nearest Revenue and Customs office (number obtainable in your local telephone directory under “Revenue and Customs”).

Further sources of information

The Homecare Workers' Handbook : The essential guide to care at home for careworkers

Available to order online or by post UKHCA - Homecare Workers Handbook PDF Order Form

Joining the Homecare Association

The Association is only able to admit to Full membership those organisations that are already trading. If your newly formed domiciliary care organisation is providing personal care in England, it will need to be registered with the Care Quality Commission before you can be admitted to Homecare Association membership. The same applies in Wales and Scotland; applicants for membership will need to be registered with the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales and the Care Commission respectively before they can be admitted to Homecare Association membership. Northern Ireland and applicants from England, Wales and Scotland who fall outside care regulation are required to go through a vetting process before joining Homecare Association.

Click here to see more on the benefits of being a Homecare Association member and then, why not take a look at our membership types and fees and Join Now pages. We also have a PDF Membership Application Form.

If you prefer, we can send you a membership application pack. To receive a pack use the contact details below.

Membership enquiries: 020 8661 8188
[email protected]