Discover the top 10 care and elderly service franchises in the UK

With the ageing populations of Western countries increasing yearly, there has never been a better time to franchise in this booming sector

1. Ableworld

Mobility retailer Ableworld has been offering its trusted brand and proven model as a franchise since 2008.

The market for mobility equipment is growing because of the unprecedented growth in the number of elderly people in the UK. For example, the number of people aged 65 and over is currently 11 million, a figure that’s set to rise by 50 per cent in the next 20 years, while the 9.4 million people with a disability is approximately 18 per cent of the UK population.

As the population ages and people live longer, the need for products to help with mobility or illness increases, including stairlifts, rise and recline chairs, mobility scooters and a host of smaller aids that help people live more comfortable and active lives.

Ableworld franchise director Paul Boniface says: “We see franchising as our main engine of growth. By the time we reach our medium-term goal of 60-70 retail outlets, at least 70 per cent will be franchise owned.”

What you need to know

Investment level

: £75,000.

What you get

: initial and ongoing training and support; comprehensive operations manual; advice on retail property purchase; marketing launch pack.

2. Seniors Helping Seniors

Providing extraordinary elderly care requires people with extraordinary hearts.

A trusted 20-year brand with an award-winning care concept, Seniors Helping Seniors’ elderly care services provide local work opportunities for older people and experienced carers.

This management franchise offers a blueprint for sustainable growth and a long-term solution to some of the biggest problems facing Britain today. It’s backed by a head office in America, a UK owner and management team and a global franchisee network.

The company’s Christian Wilse says: “Our franchisees execute the highest business ethics. We are looking for committed people to become franchisees, we have early entry terms and ideally, you’ll be based in the south east or east of England.

“Providing non-medical services, we focus on enabling not nursing, with no CQC regulatory fees.”

What you need to know

Investment level

: £10,000, plus working capital.

What you get

: two pre-start training sessions to set up home/ operations; step by step working practice training and operations manual; proprietary blueprint of business practices for unparalleled care outcomes for elderly people and how to attract and retain older workers and experienced carers; 24/7 access to expert mentor and trainer; relationship and referral support; marketing and PR support; social media support; bespoke operational software; website; protected territory.

3. Bluebird Care

Bluebird Care began as a small family business in 2004 and today is the largest provider of home care services in the UK.

With over 200 franchised offices in the UK and Republic of Ireland, it provides over 28,000 hours of care and 22,000 visits daily to customers.

While franchisees benefit from experienced and comprehensive business support, Bluebird Care also invests in maintaining its position at the forefront of the care industry by participating in national projects - from legislation and regulation to new government implemented initiatives.

Bluebird Care has been shortlisted for four leading awards this year, including the British Franchise Association HSBC Franchisor of the Year and the Working Mums Top Franchise Award.

The company seeks franchisees with commitment, drive and enthusiasm, rather than specific industry experience.

What you need to know

Investment level

: total investment required, including the cost of the franchise itself, working capital and startup costs, is £110,000-£115,000.

What you get

: comprehensive initial and ongoing training and support; desktop computer and software; assistance with office search and senior staff recruitment; initial supply of uniforms; stationery and marketing literature.

4. Extra Help

The original objective of Extra Help was to respond to the needs of elderly people living independently who required help with everyday tasks, such as shopping and meal preparation.

Although helping the elderly remains its passion, Extra Help’s services have since expanded to include new and working parents, time-poor professionals and just about anyone who needs assistance.

Having set up a successful branch in Plymouth, Extra Help now has franchises operating throughout the UK. It’s a management franchise, so the franchisee’s role is to build their client base and recruit home helpers to meet those clients’ requirements.

This franchise also enables you to choose your working hours to suit your family life and other commitments.

What you need to know

Investment level

:

Investment level

: £12,000.

What you get

: introductory, residential training course; follow-up training; ongoing support from a dedicated franchise manager; regular marketing and social media support; postcoded territory; promotional literature and stationery; telephone number with call answering service; Extra Help email address and web page; start-up business advice; complementary health and social care insurance for the first year of trading.

5. Heritage Healthcare

The Heritage Healthcare franchise enables individuals to own and run a profitable business within the home care sector, while significantly improving the lives of others within their local communities.

With a board of directors that has over 80 years of combined experience in delivering expert care and a support team of highly qualified professionals, the Heritage Healthcare head office team provide expert support and assistance in the launch and running of franchisees’ businesses.

Heritage Healthcare has well researched and targeted franchise territories available across the UK and is looking for committed, ambitious and motivated individuals who have the desire to own, operate and develop their own businesses.

Each franchise territory is protected and includes a minimum of 40,000 individuals aged 65 and over to ensure the potential for substantial growth throughout the term of the franchise agreement.

What you need to know

Investment level

: £29,995 (plus VAT), plus £60,000 working capital.

What you get

: full induction training; assistance with producing a business plan and raising capital; operations manual; accounts system for invoicing and training; Advanced Health & Care software, plus training; website; marketing and PR launch; initial supply of stationery.

6. Home Instead

A pioneer of relationship-led, nonmedical care for older people, Home Instead’s franchise network comprises 1,000 franchises in 17 countries.

The company places its clients’ needs at the heart of everything it does and forms a bespoke service tailored around what the client wants.

Home Instead’s mission is to become the UK’s most admired care company by changing the face of ageing. This means delivering the highest quality domiciliary care to enable senior citizens to live independently in their homes, safe and well and with a fulfilling quality of life.

It offers a management franchise and no care experience is needed. Territories are available across the UK.

What you need to know

Investment level

: initial franchise fee £39,500 (plus VAT), plus £55,000-£75,000 working capital.

What you get

: induction training; tailored ongoing support; initial marketing materials; national and local PR programme; support with finding a suitable office; registration and membership of regulatory and industry bodies; human resources advisory service.

7. Kare Plus

One of the UK’s most established multi-service health care franchises, Kare Plus has over 75 branches across England and Wales providing nursing, care and support to public and private health care settings and to people in their own homes.

With an ageing population and increasing pressure on public health services, Kare Plus offers franchisees an opportunity to join the rapidly expanding private health care sector.

The company began in 1989 and has developed a proven model, guiding franchise owners through a five-year agreement with multiple service offerings and income streams - from providing nurses to care homes and private hospitals, to managing care workers looking after people in the local community who require care in their own homes.

From day one, Kare Plus franchise owners have access to clients through the company’s range of national contracts and with the help of their business development manager will also build relations in their local area, procuring local contracts and clients to supply staff to.

With guidance from the award winning support team as well as their BDM, recruitment of staff is achieved through a mix of traditional and digital marketing campaigns, local exhibitions and advertisements. To keep you, your local brand and your local community safe, all staff are subject to a strict compliance procedure and have access to ongoing training.

What you need to know

Investment level

: £40,000 (plus VAT), plus working capital.

What you get

: intensive week-long training course; dedicated business development manager; marketing support; contract support; initial set-up assistance; recruitment and staff compliance support.

8. Right at Home

Right at Home is an award winning home care company whose clients are empowered to enjoy their independence and live the way they want to.

This management franchise model is built around a commitment to quality, following the principle that long-term profitability comes from being the first choice provider in the fast growing market for self-funded care and companionship.

Right at Home has developed a network of 40-plus offices, with only a select number of franchise owners joining each year. Consequently, it offers an opportunity to join a close ‘family’ and benefit from being part of a highly engaged and supportive network.

With the highest franchisee satisfaction ratings in the industry, you’ll be partnering with a company that puts its franchisees first.

The strength of its systems has resulted in Right at Home UK being recognised as a Five Star Franchise for four years running and the British Franchise Association Emerging Franchisor of the Year in 2014. It also won the Smith & Henderson Best Franchise Award in 2016.

New franchise owners do not require care sector experience, as they receive extensive training within a comprehensive opening package and are supported to recruit qualified registered care managers.

What you need to know

Investment level

: total investment up to £130,000, including initial franchise fee (plus VAT) and working capital.

What you get

: full training; ongoing support; operations manual; PC and bespoke operational software; initial supply of stationery and marketing materials; in-house staff training packages.

9. Surecare

SureCare wants to recruit new franchisees who are looking to set up a franchise business in one of the fastest growing sectors of the UK - at home care for older and unwell people.

The company, established in 1994, provides franchisees with all the training, development and support they need to start and grow a successful franchise, so no previous experience in the care sector is needed, just an enthusiasm for creating a successful business.

SureCare is a fast growing company offering franchisees multiple revenue streams across personal care and support, home services, childcare, respite and holiday care and dementia care, among others.

Keith Hume, SureCare franchisee in Merseyside, says: “I was impressed by SureCare’s approach to developing and delivering care and home services.

“The company recognises that people’s requirements are changing all the time and that there is a need to provide a comprehensive range of services to meet those needs.”

What you need to know

Investment level

: £32,000.

What you get

: comprehensive induction; ongoing training and support; assistance with all compliance and regulations, including CQC and Ofsted; marketing and PR support; website and social media support; tender support.

10. Joscocare

A care and nursing agency that supplies temporary staff to the health care sector, Joscocare was launched in 2013.

Just four years later the business has more than 200 employees and contractors and is expanding its services around the UK.

Company founder and managing director Jos Shaju explains: “I couldn’t find any other recession proof business in a market that had as much potential as the health care sector.

“The country’s care need is increasing every year, due to increasing life expectancy and a number of other factors, and the government is overhauling the way care is delivered.

This, coupled with the need for people to fit their work around their family and other commitments, means more people are deciding to work independently or through an agency.

“The company’s ongoing success is in large part due to the dedication and commitment of our employees - and the trust of our clients.”

Joscocare’s commitment to quality and transparency is underpinned by its membership of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation.

As well as developing permanent recruitment solutions and domiciliary care services together with the agency staff provision, Jos is in the process of recruiting franchisees so he can roll out the business across the UK.

“Experience in care or nursing, either as a business owner or senior manager, would be an advantage, but is not essential for this franchise,” he says. “What I’m looking for in potential franchisees is passion, drive, energy, motivation and the will to succeed.”

What you need to know

Investment level

: an initial franchise fee of £19,500.

What you get

: full training; initial and ongoing support; everything needed to establish your office, including software, policies, procedures and marketing and recruitment materials; initial stock of uniforms and branded merchandise.