10 tried and tested opportunities in the dynamic market that you’ll want to know about

An ageing population and prioritisation of in-home care mean that the care market is ripe for franchising success. Which concepts should be on your radar?

1. Ableworld

Ableworld, the UK’s largest mobility retailer, has offered its trusted brand and proven model as a franchise opportunity since 2008.

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.”

The company and its franchisees are capitalising on the unprecedented growth in the number of elderly people in the UK. The market for mobility equipment is buoyant and growing.

The number of people aged 65 and over is currently close to 12 million and set to rise by 50 per cent in the next 20 years, while 9.4 million people have a disability in the UK - approximately 18 per cent of the population. In addition, 750,000 people will retire in the next 12 months.

To Ableworld and its network of franchisees, these statistics represent the huge potential that exists in this fast-growing sector.

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

What you need to know

Minimum investment:

£25,000.

What you get:

extensive training; initial and ongoing support; launch marketing campaign; operations manual; advice on retail property purchase; help in arranging finance.

2. Bluebird Care

Starting as a small family business in 2004, today Bluebird Care is one of the largest providers of home care services in the UK, with more than 200 franchised offices in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

The company provides over 28,000 hours of care and 22,000 visits daily to its customers. Experts at delivering care and support to the elderly, their families and their carers, Bluebird Care enables people to stay at home.

While franchisees benefit from experienced and comprehensive support, the business also invests in maintaining Bluebird Care’s position at the forefront of the care industry.

Duncan Berry, chief operating officer of Bluebird Care, says: “There has never been a better time to start a home care franchise and Bluebird Care still have opportunities available throughout the UK.

“We seek franchisees with commitment, drive and enthusiasm for the business, rather than specific industry experience. We will teach you the care industry and provide the support to succeed.”

What you need to know

Investment level:

total investment, including the cost of the franchise, working capital and start-up costs, is £110,000-£115,000.

What you get:

training; IT; recruitment support; uniforms; promotional literature; marketing assistance.

3. Caremark

With an ageing population and the NHS squeezed to its limit, the demand for quality home care for older people is constantly rising.

Since launching in 2005, Caremark has built a reputation for excellence and is now recognised as a leading provider of care in the home.

Joint CEO David Glover says: “Caremark is an internationally recognised brand with over 100 offices in the UK and Ireland and we’ve increased market share year on year.

“Most important for potential franchisees is that they care passionately about delivering a quality service and have the drive and ambition to become the provider of choice in their local area.”

Caremark provides franchisees with expert training, so they can gain confidence in running their own business, as well as specialised ongoing support. As a franchisee, you’ll become part of an exclusive community of like-minded people each running their own business.

The Caremark culture ensures you’re always supported, assisted and encouraged at every stage of your franchise development.

David adds: “The beauty of our business is that franchisees have the potential to earn a good income, as well as enjoy a high level of personal satisfaction from day one as part of a reputable, well established and proven brand.”

What you need to know

Minimum investment:

£35,000

What you get:

two weeks’ initial training; package of start-up assets; exclusive territory; ongoing support from a dedicated regional development manager and the Caremark head office team.

4. Extra Help

This business offers flexible, home help services to anyone who needs them, such as the elderly, parents and time poor professionals.

The offering gives clients the convenience of only having to deal with one company for all their home help requirements, from gardening and DIY to meal preparation, cleaning, ironing and dog walking.

Extra Help’s business model is easy to follow. Home helpers are self-employed, thereby paying their own tax and national insurance. As Extra Help is a management franchise, your job as a franchisee is find clients and recruit home helpers to meet their requirements.

Franchisees receive everything needed to get started immediately, including an email address, web page, telephone number with answer phone service, leaflets and branded merchandise. In addition, health and social care insurance is paid for the first year.

What you need to know

Investment level:

£4,200 (plus VAT).

What you get:

exclusive territory; operations manual; extensive training; ongoing support.

5. Home Instead

Home Instead has been disrupting the home care market in the UK since 2005.

Operating in 12 countries and with over 224 franchises in the UK, the brand is recognised and trusted. Home Instead holds The Queen’s Award for Innovation and a Princess Royal Training Award. That’s alongside a host of awards from the British Franchise Association and 65 ‘outstanding’ ratings from the Care Quality Commission.

Home Instead is a pioneer of relationship-led care, a service delivered to clients that’s based on empathy and companionship.

As a management franchise, no care experience is needed. The franchise owner’s role is to lead, manage and grow the business, with a team of care professionals managing and delivering the quality care.

What you need to know

Minimum investment:

£41,000

What you get:

full training; initial and ongoing support; development programmes; ongoing annual PR campaign; tailored franchise management software; IT support; online franchise forum; half-year meetings and annual conference.

6. Right at Home

Right at Home has one of the highest and most consistent franchisee satisfaction ratings on record, so you know you’ll be partnering with a company that puts quality and excellence before all else.

An award-winning franchise system that delivers quality home care services, Right at Home empowers people to enjoy their independence and live the way they want to. The management franchise model is built around a commitment to quality, in order to achieve long-term profitability as the first choice provider of home care in the private market.

Right at Home is motivated to partner with the highest quality of franchise owners, not the highest number. Consequently, it offers an opportunity to join a close team and benefit from being part of a highly engaged and supportive network, whose members are adding value to the Right at Home brand and reputation across the UK.

The strength of its systems has resulted in Right at Home UK receiving Five Star Franchise status for five consecutive years, winning the British Franchise Association’s Emerging Franchisor of the Year Award in 2014 and consecutive Best Franchise Awards in 2016 and 2017.

New franchise owners do not need previous sector experience, as they’re supported to recruit experienced and qualified registered care managers as part of the comprehensive business support offering.

What you need to know

Investment level:

initial franchisee fee is £33,500 (plus VAT). Working capital is also required. Total investment is up to £120,000.

What you get:

full training; initial and ongoing support; operations manual; managed local website; stationery and marketing materials.

7. Radfield Home Care

Operating in the private marketplace, Radfield Home Care specialises in providing care to older people within their own homes.

With an ageing population demanding independence and decreasing local authority funding leading to more private home care enquiries, Radfield’s franchise partners benefit from a rapidly expanding marketplace and stable profit margins.

Thanks to this sustainable model, franchise partners can focus on providing the level of care they would expect for their own parents, without worrying about their bottom line.

With over 35 years’ experience in providing care to older people, the Radfield brand is one of the most established in the private health care sector. Family founded, owned and operated, brother and sister Alex Green and GP Dr Hannah MacKechnie have spent a lifetime in the sector, growing up alongside residents at their parents’ residential home and developing multiple company-owned Radfield Home Care branches over 10 years.

What you need to know

Investment level:

franchise fee £30,000 (plus VAT) plus £45,000 working capital.

What you get:

10-day initial franchise training course; ongoing support and training from a specialist support team; care management software; sustainably mapped franchise territory.

8. Visiting Angels

In 1998 Larry Meigs and Jeffrey Johnson founded Visiting Angels. They went on to establish the franchise system as a model that cultivates relationships between caregivers, care recipients and family members.

The business is one of the largest home care providers in the United States, built with strong ethical and community values at its core, and now has more than 600 franchised offices.

The lessons learned from 20 years in the private care sector in the United States is brought to the UK with the Visiting Angels UK franchise.

Managing director Dan Archer says: “One thing we learned in the US is the importance of structuring the business as a carer centric organisation. Visiting Angels prides itself on its focus on providing the highest standards of care and compassion for elderly clients.”

UK development franchisees will be part of defining the future success of the franchise and will work closely with the team at head office.

What you need to know

Minimum Investment:

£30,000 to £50,000

What you get:

comprehensive training; access to extranet; weekly updates; national and local marketing.

9. Seniors Helping Seniors

Entrepreneurs looking for fulfilment, profit and personal reward are attracted to Seniors Helping Seniors because it’s a home-based, management care franchise.

Running costs are low and the service appeals because personal care like washing and lifting services are not included. Seniors Helping Seniors UK has already won many awards, including a Top Ten most recommended care agency in the UK and a winner of a Customer Service Award from Local Business Awards. The franchise is privately owned, and hands-on, but not aggressive. It appeals to managers wanting a worthwhile role in their communities. Franchisees are supported all the way, with easy entry into the local community and 24/7 support that results in a dynamic and rewarding business.

Seniors Helping Seniors is focusing on franchise opportunities across South East and East UK regions (excluding London).

What you need to know

Minimum investment:

£25,000.

What you get:

exclusive area; in-person training sessions; a bespoke manual to a turnkey operation; 24/7 mentoring; proprietary software; website and trademarked marketing tools.

10. SureCare

Currently looking for new franchisees wanting to operate their own businesses in one of the UK’s fastest-growing sectors, SureCare was established in 1994. The company primarily offers home care services to the elderly, but also provides care services to people of all ages and abilities.

Its extensive range of services, including child care, domestic services and dementia care, makes it possible for franchisees to benefit from multiple revenue streams. It isn’t necessary for franchisees to have a background in the care sector - just the drive and determination to provide vital services in their communities.

By franchising with SureCare, you’ll receive comprehensive training and business development support to assist you in growing a successful and profitable franchise. You’ll also benefit from compliance support for regular Care Quality Commission and Ofsted checks, marketing and PR assistance, website and social media support, plus help with tenders and contracts.

Sami Haider, operator of SureCare Southend, says: “I chose a SureCare franchise to tackle time-consuming issues like compliance, quality assurance and legislative framework so that I can concentrate on business development, relationship building, market growth and staff training.

“With their support, I now have over 109 service users and our weekly hours have more than tripled in 18 months.”

What you need to know

Minimum investment:

£36,000

What you get:

full training and support; marketing and PR assistance; support in finding a suitable office and negotiating terms; first year payroll services; registration and membership of regulatory and industry bodies.