Starting a homecare business is a rewarding opportunity to provide essential care and support to those who need it most. However, before launching your business, it’s crucial to have a well-structured homecare business plan in place. A strong business plan will help you define your services, identify your target market, ensure compliance with UK regulations, and secure funding if needed.

At GoodOaks Homecare Franchise, we support aspiring business owners in setting up successful homecare services across the UK. In this guide, we’ll walk you through why a homecare business plan is essential and provide a structured business plan template to help you get started.

What is a homecare business plan?

A homecare business plan is a detailed document outlining your vision, strategy, and operational approach for your care service. It acts as a roadmap for success, covering everything from business structure and financial planning to compliance with regulatory requirements like Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration.

A well-crafted business plan should:

• Define your business model and services
• Identify your target market and competitors
• Outline how you will meet legal and regulatory requirements
• Provide a financial forecast and pricing structure
• Detail your marketing and recruitment strategy

Whether you’re starting from scratch or joining a homecare franchise, a business plan helps ensure you build a sustainable and profitable care service.

Why do you need a homecare business plan?

Writing a business plan isn’t just a formality—it’s an essential step in launching and growing your homecare business.

Starting a homecare business involves many moving parts, from staff recruitment to regulatory compliance. A business plan keeps everything structured and ensures you have a clear roadmap to follow. If you plan to offer personal care (such as help with washing, dressing, or medication), you must register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). A business plan demonstrates to the CQC that you have the policies, procedures, and governance in place to provide high-quality, regulated care.

A business plan can also help with funding too. Whether you need a business loan, government grant, or private investment, funders will expect a detailed financial plan showing how your business will generate revenue and manage costs.

Even after launching, your business plan remains a valuable tool to guide future decisions, track progress, and plan for growth. Whether you’re expanding your services, hiring more staff, or opening in new locations, your plan will help keep you on track.

If you choose to join a home care franchise, having a business plan is still important. However, one of the key advantages of franchising is that you won’t have to create your plan entirely from scratch. Instead, you’ll receive guidance and support from the franchisor to ensure your business is set up for success.

At GoodOaks Homecare, franchisees receive comprehensive support in developing their business plan. This includes:

• A proven business model – Instead of building a care business from the ground up, you follow an established, successful framework.
• Help with CQC registration – GoodOaks provides assistance with preparing policies and meeting regulatory requirements.
• Market research and territory analysis – You get insights into your local market and the demand for home care services.
• Financial planning and forecasts – Guidance on pricing, profit margins, and setting realistic revenue targets.
• Marketing and recruitment strategies – A structured plan for attracting clients and hiring the right care staff as well as support from our own marketing team.

While you won’t need to create a business plan entirely on your own, it’s still essential to understand your goals, financial projections, and local market. Many banks or funding providers will also require a business plan if you’re applying for financing, even as a franchisee.

Homecare business plan template

Now that you understand why a business plan is crucial, it’s time to create one. Below is a structured business plan template covering everything you need to consider when starting a home care business in the UK.

1. Executive summary

The executive summary provides a concise overview of your homecare business, outlining its mission, objectives, and key services. This section should be compelling, as it sets the stage for the rest of the plan and may be the first part potential investors or stakeholders read.

Contents:

• Overview of your homecare business
• Mission statement and core values
• Summary of services offered
• Business objectives and key goals

2. Business description

This section outlines the structure and foundation of your business, including its legal status, ownership, and what makes it unique. It should provide insight into why you are launching a homecare business and the needs it aims to fulfil.

Contents:

• Business name, location, and legal structure (e.g., sole trader, limited company)
• Company ownership details
• Unique selling points (USPs) and competitive advantages

3. Market research and industry analysis

A successful homecare business must be based on a solid understanding of the industry and target market. This section provides insights into the demand for homecare services in your chosen area, key competitors, and the industry trends shaping the sector.

Contents:

• Overview of the UK homecare industry and growth trends
• Target market (e.g., elderly, people with disabilities, dementia care, respite care)
• Competitor analysis – identify local and national homecare providers
• Market demand and how you plan to meet it

4. Services offered

Clearly defining the services you offer ensures potential clients, investors, and regulators understand your capabilities. This section outlines the different types of care your business provides and how they address the needs of your target audience.

Contents:

• Personal care (washing, dressing, medication assistance)
• Dementia care
• Live-in care
• Respite care
• Companionship care
• Palliative/end-of-life care
• Emergency homecare
• Specialist care (e.g., neurological conditions, stroke recovery)

5. Regulatory and compliance considerations

Operating a homecare business in the UK requires adherence to strict regulations, particularly if providing personal care. This section details your plan for meeting legal and regulatory requirements, including CQC registration and staff vetting.

Contents:

• CQC Registration – If providing personal care, registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is mandatory
• Compliance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008
• DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks for care professionals
• Staff training and qualification requirements (e.g., Care Certificate, NVQs)
• Health and safety policies
• GDPR and data protection compliance

6. Business structure and staffing

The quality of care depends heavily on the people delivering it. This section outlines your staffing plan, including the roles required, recruitment strategy, and ongoing training commitments.

Contents:

• Organisational structure (e.g., owner, registered manager, care coordinators, care professionals)
• Recruitment strategy for care staff
• Training and ongoing professional development plans
• Employee contracts and HR policies

7. Marketing and customer acquisition strategy

Marketing is key to attracting new clients and building a strong reputation. This section covers your strategy for branding, advertising, and community engagement to establish a presence in your local market.

Contents:

• Branding, logo, and website development
• Website strategy to target people searching for your services online
• Social media marketing and online advertising
• Community outreach (e.g., partnerships with GP practices, local councils, charities)
• Word-of-mouth referrals and client testimonials

8. Financial plan and projections

A strong financial plan is essential for securing investment and ensuring long-term sustainability. This section outlines your startup costs, revenue forecasts, pricing models, and funding sources.

Contents:

• Startup Costs (CQC registration fees, insurance, office setup, website, marketing)
• Pricing Model – Hourly rates, package pricing, and live-in care costs
• Revenue Forecast – Projected income for the first 3–5 years
• Operating Costs – Staff wages, insurance, marketing, admin expenses
• Break-even Analysis – How long before the business becomes profitable
• Funding Sources – Personal investment, business loans, grants

9. Operational plan

An effective homecare business must have smooth operations in place. This section details how daily activities will be managed, from client care to staff scheduling and quality assurance.

Contents:

• Office setup and administrative structure
• Care delivery process (from initial assessment to ongoing care)
• Policies for managing client care, complaints, and quality assurance
• Staff scheduling and shift management

10. Risk assessment and contingency plan

Running a homecare business comes with potential risks, from staff shortages to regulatory changes. This section identifies possible challenges and outlines strategies to mitigate them.

Contents:

• Key risks (e.g., staff shortages, economic downturns, regulatory changes)
• Mitigation strategies (e.g., recruitment pipeline, emergency staffing solutions)
• Crisis management plan (e.g., pandemic response, safeguarding incidents)

Starting a home care business is both a rewarding and challenging venture. With an ageing population and increasing demand for quality care, there has never been a better time to enter the sector. However, success in this industry requires careful planning, strong regulatory compliance, and a clear strategy—all of which start with a well-structured business plan.

By following this guide and using our home care business plan template, you’ll have a solid foundation to launch and grow your business. Whether you’re seeking CQC registration, financial backing, or a clear roadmap for success, a business plan ensures you stay organised and focused on delivering high-quality, compassionate care.

If you’re looking for expert support in starting your home care business, GoodOaks Homecare can provide the guidance, resources, and proven business model to help you succeed. Get in touch today to learn how we can support you on your journey to building a thriving homecare service.