Franchising with SureCare: What to expect in your first year

Starting a new business can be like taking a step into the unknown. There’s a lot to do in the early stages, but when you launch a franchise business with SureCare, you’ll receive guidance and support to set things up smoothly.

Whether or not you have any previous experience with running a business, SureCare’s onboarding process is put in place to help you get prepared for launching a franchise. Whilst some elements of the start-up procedure will be common across other businesses, we provide you with a strong focus on the specifics of the care sector.

So what can you expect to get to grips with once you’ve fired the starting gun? Here we take a look at some of the key first steps you’ll need to cover in the weeks and months ahead:

Setting up your limited company

This one is pretty much standard with any new business. However, if you’ve never started another business before, it’s an essential first step to take. Becoming a SureCare franchisee allows you to set up and run your very own company, but you’ll be able to provide SureCare’s range of services under a franchise licence.

Typical features of setting up a limited company involve deciding on a unique name, appointing directors and others with significant control, preparing documents, and ultimately registering with Companies House. If you’re unsure of how to proceed, or you simply just want some best practice advice, SureCare’s franchising support team can give you a steer in the right direction.

Acquiring suitable premises

Like any business operating from an office, warehouse, or any other large physical space, you’ll need to secure your own premises. Often this can seem fairly simple on paper, but there are a few things to take into consideration, especially as a provider of care. Fortunately, as a SureCare franchisee, you can depend on advice and guidance from our expert team.

Whilst most of your care team in the future will be out delivering care in the community, your office will always be the base of your operations. You’ll want to find somewhere in your local area that’s convenient to travel to, large enough for your staff to work comfortably, and of course, affordable! It will also be a condition of your care registration to have space to provide staff training facilities, so that’s an additional important factor to bear in mind.

Registering with the national regulator

Each of the four nations of the UK has its own regulatory body for health and care services. So depending on where you’ll be operating, either in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales, you will need to register with the appropriate regulator. Without this registration in place, you will not be able to provide personal care services.

The registration process itself can be lengthy and quite challenging, especially if you’ve never worked in the care sector before. At SureCare, we understand the requirements of the registration process, and our franchise support team can assist you with submitting your application, preparing for interviews, and avoiding common pitfalls, so your application can progress as smoothly as possible.

Recruiting your Registered Manager

To support your care registration, you’ll also need to employ a qualified Registered Manager. They will be the person in charge of the day-to-day running of your care services, overseeing quality of care, managing staff and handling client relationships. Effectively, they will be the most senior person in your care business underneath you and any other directors.

The Registered Manager is a very specific role within the care sector and requires certain qualifications and training. As you go through the onboarding process with SureCare, we’ll support you in finding the right candidates for the job. We can also offer advice on who may the right manager for you to select. Alongside your care registration, this can also be a lengthy process, so the sooner you can get started, the better.

Getting out in the community

As we’ve mentioned, recruiting a Registered Manager and getting your care registration in place can take a while – in some cases, even several months. For any new business, that’s a heck of a long time to not be providing the services you’ve set out to do. Fortunately, the diversity of SureCare’s services allows you to get to work right away.

By providing non-regulated support services – such as home cleaning, companionship, and even shopping trips for those who struggle to leave the house – you can begin to build a client base early on. You’ll develop strong connections with clients and gain a reputation through word-of-mouth, enabling you to grow your business within the local community. So once you achieve your registration, you’ll be ready to advertise and deliver personal care services to an established audience.

From the moment you join SureCare as a franchisee, through our intensive induction process, and on your way to building your business, we’re here to support you at every stage. With our experience, knowledge and expertise behind you, SureCare empowers you to launch and operate your own business in the care sector as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Want to find out more about franchising in the home care sector? Enquire online today and we’ll be in touch with you to discuss how a SureCare franchise could be right for you.