Day in the Life: What It Takes to Run Your Own Home Care Franchise
The Editorial Team , writer
In this article we’ll look at what you can expect when you’re running a home care franchise on a daily basis, the advantages and challenges of the industry and how you can overcome them, plus some of the franchise opportunities you can invest in today.
With many elderly people choosing to stay in their own homes, home care is now the preferred method of service over other care options, making now the ideal time to start a home care franchises. If you’re thinking about investing in offering a higher quality of care for members of your community and opening a home care business, there are lots of franchise opportunities available.
But first, a quick snapshot of the industry:
According to recent studies, the home care industry contributes over £12 billion per year to the economy. And, thanks to the ageing population that the UK is set to face over the next 20 years, 66% of UK citizens will be in need of care by 2038. It’s also predicted that one in seven people in the country will be over 75 by 2040.
As more and more of us get older, there’s going to be a growing number of people that need more assistance with things that used to be easy. What’s more, the benefits of keeping people in their own homes rather than moving them to residential care are well documented.
This is where you could potentially come in, even if you’re not from a medical, care or entrepreneurial background. Let’s take a look at what you can expect from running a home care business on a daily basis:
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A day in the life of a home care franchisee – What’s involved?
As the owner of your own business, you’re in control of exactly how you plan your day, so you can work however you feel is best for achieving your goals. You may work around the same number of hours as your standard 9-5, but there’s the added bonus of increased flexibility in how you structure your work.
Although running a care agency franchise can be done from the comfort of your own home, you might find it easier to operate from an office. This way, your network of staff has a base to return to in between delivering care at your clients’ homes.
As a home care franchisee, you will operate from premises within a territory of your choice, which could be an area that covers up to 300,000 potential clients. Being the owner of the business, you may be the one who arranges the visits and payment with the client, but you could also be in charge of recruitment.
Home care businesses typically offer a range of general care services for the elderly, but they can also offer tailored care for specific disabilities and learning difficulties too.
You will be responsible for managing your business’ growth, development, finances and management team. While operating under the name of a brand, you will need to ensure that the franchise’s standards of quality are delivered. This can be done through care giver training and regular staff meetings.
The main thing is that you’ll be your own boss. Once you’ve invested in a franchise business, you can decide your schedule and grow at your pace.
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Five advantages of becoming a home care franchisee
1. Training
Most home care business franchises will provide world-class training to make sure you're well-equipped to run your business successfully. You’ll open your business under skilled direction and have access to ongoing support.
2. Tried and tested model
Unlike setting up your own home care business, a franchise allows you to work from an already successful business model. With a pool of experts on hand to assist, you don't need to know the ins and outs of how to launch your very own business.
3. Recognised brand name
Within the home care businesses, trust and reliability is an essential aspect of success. By investing in a franchise with a well-known brand name, clients are more likely to choose your business over smaller ones that haven’t yet established a good reputation. You’ll be able to keep your business small and friendly within your local area should you choose, while still being recognisable to potential nationwide clients.
4. Recession proof industry
With the UK’s aging population, demand in the care industry is only going to increase. People are opting for home care rather than moving to residential homes, due to the benefits of stability and familiarity on older people.
5. Making a difference
Running a home care business will see you strike a good balance between social rewards and financial returns. A home care franchise offers healthy operating profits and a rewarding opportunity to change the way older people are cared for in the UK and your community.
Challenges within a home care franchise – and how to overcome them
Due to the nature of the industry, there are a number of challenges facing the home care industry, that can result in a low quality of care if not properly managed. When dealing with vulnerable people, the slightest problem in service could have an impact on the health and well-being of the client.
Some problems that can arise include:
- Poorly trained staff who don’t know how to care for specific needs Rushed visits that can leave someone suffering with an illness more confused or feeling as though they’ve not had help with everything they needed
- High staff turnover, meaning continuity of care is not possible
With so much at stake it is crucial that a quality care plan is followed, in as will be assisted by the franchisor. It’s also important to look after your staff in this sector, as they can face difficult challenges on a daily basis. With the right support, training and guidance available through an existing franchise, you can ensure no corners are cut in the quality of care giving.
Become a Home Care Franchisee
There are many reputable and experienced home care franchises looking for franchisees in the UK, here’s a list of some of our top picks on Point Franchise:
1. Christies
Clients come to Christies Care needing help with a wide range of different conditions – from dementia to a severe physical disability. Its franchisees help people lead their lives the way they want, as independently as possible, in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes.
- Becoming a Christies franchisee: Recently awarded Domiciliary Care Provider of the Year at the HealthInvestor awards, Christies is now franchising out its hourly care model to support our already established national operation. To learn more and sign up, go to the Christies franchise page.
- How much you need to invest: To invest in a Christies franchise, you’ll need a minimum investment of £35,000.
- What you get for your investment: Christies provides all the expert training and support you will need in your new business venture, so this franchise is suitable for those investors with or without experience in the care industry.
2. Hallows Care
Hallows Care franchisees provide an efficient, effective and high quality domiciliary care and support service to clients in their own homes within the local community, by employing, training and supporting the best staff.
- Becoming a Hallows Care franchisee: This franchise offers a complete business format management franchise, developed to help the franchisees start their own business as soon as possible. To learn more and sign up, go to the Hallows Care franchise page.
- How much you need to invest: To invest in a Hallows Care franchise, you’ll need a minimum investment of £34,950.
- What you get in return: As a Hallows Care franchisee, you’ll be constantly supported by its specially developed Franchise Support Centre that can help with any problems that arise along your franchising journey. Full training for you and your social care team will be provided to get you off to the best possible start.
Find more opportunities from our extensive list of home care franchises on Point Franchise.
Invest in care
Home care for the elderly is becoming increasingly popular and the market will never stop growing, so now is a great time to invest in a home care business that works for you and makes many people’s lives better. If you would like to run your own home care business, going down the franchise route is a great way to open an established, reputable and consistent care agency. What’s more, you’ll feel confident you’re operating with a solid business model that will ensure you cash in on caring.
Get in touch today to start your home care venture!
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The Editorial Team , writer