How do I start a domiciliary care business in the UK?

To start a domiciliary care business in the UK, follow a 10-step framework that includes choosing a legal structure, registering with your national regulator (CQC, CIW, Care Inspectorate, or RQIA), preparing a compliant business plan, recruiting staff, developing policies and procedures, and preparing for your regulator interview. This guide covers each step in detail, along with budgeting, marketing, and documentation tips to launch successfully.

A 10 Step Guide to Starting a Domiciliary Care Business

Introduction

Starting a domiciliary care business in the UK is one of the most in-demand and rewarding ventures in the health and social care sector today. With an ageing population and increasing demand for high-quality home-based care, new providers have a genuine opportunity to serve their communities while building a sustainable service.

However, the process involves more than just good intentions. Whether you’re setting up in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you must understand and meet the legal requirements set by the relevant regulatory body – including the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England, Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW), Care Inspectorate (Scotland), or the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) in Northern Ireland.

This 10-step guide will walk you through exactly how to start a domiciliary care business in the UK – from choosing the right legal structure and applying for registration, to recruiting your first team and passing your regulator’s site visit. Designed for new providers, this guide offers practical, country-specific advice to help you launch with confidence.

We’ll also cover realistic costs, common compliance challenges, and essential policies – so you can avoid delays and ensure you’re fully prepared to deliver high-quality care from day one.

Step 1: Understand What a Domiciliary Care Business Involves

A domiciliary care business provides personal care and support to people in their own homes. This includes helping with tasks such as washing, dressing, eating, taking medication, and moving around safely. Unlike residential care homes, domiciliary care services enable clients to remain independent in familiar surroundings, often improving wellbeing and quality of life.

In the UK, this type of care is regulated to ensure high standards and protect vulnerable individuals. You’ll need to register with the appropriate national regulator before delivering regulated activities:

England – Care Quality Commission (CQC)
Wales – Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW)
Scotland – Care Inspectorate (Scotland)
Northern Ireland – Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA)

Each regulator defines what counts as ‘regulated activity’, and these vary slightly across the UK. In most cases, personal care – such as assistance with toileting, dressing or eating – is considered regulated and requires prior approval.

As a provider, you’ll be responsible for:

Maintaining compliance with health and safety legislation
Recruiting and supervising staff
Ensuring care is person-centred, safe, and high quality
Keeping up-to-date records and audits
Responding to incidents, complaints, and inspections

Launching a domiciliary care service is more than a business – it’s a commitment to improving people’s lives under a strict framework of accountability and care.

Step 2: Choose the Right Legal Structure for Your Business

Before you can register your domiciliary care business with a regulator, you need to decide on its legal structure. This affects everything from how you register with Companies House to how you’re assessed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) or other UK regulators. It also has long-term implications for tax, liability, and staffing.

In the UK, most new domiciliary care providers choose from three main structures:

Sole trader – Simple and quick to set up. You operate the business in your personal name and are personally liable for debts and legal claims.
Partnership – Two or more individuals share responsibility for the business. Still relatively informal, but each partner is personally liable.
Limited company – A separate legal entity registered with Companies House. Offers limited liability protection and is the preferred model for most care providers seeking to register with the CQC or CIW.

If you’re planning to register with the CQC in England, you’ll need to specify whether the registered provider is an individual, partnership, or organisation (limited company or charity). This is a legal designation and cannot be changed easily once submitted.

Key things to consider:

Most CQC-registered providers operate as limited companies for compliance and liability reasons.
Charitable or non-profit structures may suit community-led services but involve stricter governance.
You must register with Companies House and obtain a business bank account if setting up a company.

If unsure, speak with a legal advisor or accountant before proceeding with your application. Errors at this stage can delay your regulator registration or lead to complications later on.

Step 3: Register Your Domiciliary Care Service with Regulator

Before delivering personal care services in England, you must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). It’s a legal requirement under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and applies to all providers offering regulated activities such as personal care, medication support, and end-of-life care in people’s homes.

The equivalent regulators in other UK nations are:

Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) – for services in Wales
Care Inspectorate (Scotland) – for services in Scotland
Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) – for services in Northern Ireland

In this guide, we’ll focus on CQC registration, as it’s the process for domiciliary care providers in England.

Your CQC registration must include:

The registered provider (individual, partnership, or organisation)
A nominated individual (someone with oversight over all regulated activities)
A registered manager (someone responsible for day-to-day care delivery)
A detailed statement of purpose
Policies and procedures demonstrating safety, quality and governance
A fully completed application form via the CQC Provider Portal
A DBS check and proof of qualifications for the manager

After submission, the CQC may ask for clarifications or amendments. Once satisfied, they’ll invite you to a registration interview, where you must show an understanding of the regulations and your service model.

It’s crucial that your application is complete, accurate, and aligned with the CQC’s five key questions: Is your service safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led?

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Step 4: Write a Business Plan That Meets CQC Expectations.

A clear, well-structured business plan isn’t just a tool for your own clarity – it’s also a regulatory requirement when registering your domiciliary care business with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) or your regional care regulator.

Your business plan should show that you’ve thought through how your service will operate safely, sustainably, and in line with care sector expectations. Regulators want to see that you understand your responsibilities and have realistic strategies in place to deliver high-quality care.

Your business plan should include:

Executive summary – A short overview of your business, your mission, and who you plan to support
Service model – Details of the care services you’ll offer, who your typical client is, and how care will be delivered
Leadership & staffing plan – Who will run the service, including your nominated individual and registered manager, plus plans for recruiting care workers
Market research – Local demand for care, key competitors, and how your service will differentiate
Marketing & referral plan – How you will attract clients and build relationships with social workers, GPs, or local authorities
Financial plan – Projected startup costs, monthly running costs, income forecasts, and funding sources
Compliance roadmap – How you will meet CQC (or your alternative regional regulator) standards from day one, including policies, procedures, and training

Your plan should be realistic and tailored to your local area. You can use it to secure funding or as part of your application evidence for registration.

Step 5: Budget for Startup Costs and Secure Your Funding

Understanding the real costs of starting a domiciliary care business is essential to avoid financial surprises and delays. Whether you’re self-funding, applying for a start-up loan, or seeking social investment, you’ll need a clear and detailed budget.

Startup costs can vary depending on the size of your service, region, and whether you’re starting from home or a dedicated office space. As a guide, many new providers budget between £15,000 and £40,000 to launch.

Common startup costs include:

Regulator registration fees – No fee to apply with CQC, but Care Inspectorate, CIW, or RQIA may charge application or registration fees
DBS checks and registration for staff
Policy templates and legal document preparation
Office equipment – laptop, printer, phone, and basic furniture
Care management software – often subscription-based
Professional fees – accountants, solicitors, compliance advisors
Marketing costs – logo, website, leaflets, online profiles
Training – induction, mandatory courses (e.g. safeguarding, first aid)
Insurance – public liability, employer’s liability, professional indemnity
Initial salaries – for you and your manager before revenue starts

Funding options to explore:

Start-Up Loans – government-backed personal loans with mentoring support
Local authority business grants – especially in high-need areas
Community investment – through CICs or local social funders
Personal savings or family loans – often used to cover initial setup
Small business overdrafts or credit lines – if structured safely

Your funding proposal should be backed by a 12-month cash flow forecast and business plan. Lenders and investors will want to see that you understand both your upfront needs and how long it will take to become profitable.

Step 6: Set Up Your Office, Equipment and Digital Systems

Once your registration is underway, you’ll need to set up a compliant and functional work environment. This doesn’t mean renting a large office – many new domiciliary care providers start from a home office or a small serviced space – but you do need the right infrastructure in place to manage operations securely and professionally.

Essentials for office setup:

Laptop or desktop with secure storage and backups
Business phone number and dedicated mobile for out-of-hours contact
Printer and scanner for ID checks, DBS submissions and documentation
Lockable storage for staff files and client records (if not digital)
Broadband and cloud access to run care systems remotely

The Care Quality Commission (or your UK regulator) will expect evidence that your record-keeping, data security and communication systems meet professional standards.

Digital tools to support your business:

Care management software – for rota planning, MAR charts, visit logs and alerts
Payroll and invoicing systems – integrated with HMRC or accounting software
Training platforms – for e-learning modules and CPD tracking
HR systems – for scheduling, absence tracking and compliance logs
Cloud storage – for policies, procedures, audits and evidence gathering

While it’s possible to launch without full automation, digital tools save time and demonstrate compliance from the start. Most systems are pay-monthly and scale as your business grows.

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Step 7: Recruit Your Team and Understand Staffing Regulations

Staffing is one of the most critical elements of your domiciliary care business. Your ability to deliver safe, responsive and high-quality care depends on recruiting the right people – and meeting strict regulatory requirements from the start.

Every UK regulator – including the CQC, CIW, Care Inspectorate and RQIA – expects you to have clear recruitment procedures, training plans and oversight in place before delivering care. Even if you’re starting small, these rules still apply.

Key staffing roles to consider:

Registered Manager – Must be in place for CQC or CIW registration; requires care sector experience and a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Adult Care
Care staff – Must be DBS checked (or PVG in Scotland), trained in safeguarding, and inducted to your service’s values and procedures
Nominated Individual – Required for organisations and partnerships; oversees regulatory compliance and strategic governance
Administrative or rota support – May be needed as your caseload grows

Minimum recruitment expectations include:

Job descriptions and role profiles
Robust interview and selection process
Two references per candidate
Right to work and identification checks
Enhanced DBS (or regional equivalent)
Care induction and shadowing before unsupervised visits

Regulators may ask to see evidence of these processes during your registration or inspection. Using a structured onboarding checklist and keeping digital staff records from day one will make ongoing compliance far easier.

Step 8: Develop Policies, Procedures and Care Documentation

Strong documentation is the backbone of any compliant domiciliary care business. It not only supports safe and consistent care delivery, but also demonstrates to regulators that you understand and are ready to meet your responsibilities under the Health and Social Care Act (or regional equivalent legislation).

Before you can begin providing care, you must have a full suite of policies and procedures in place. These will be reviewed during your registration assessment and form the foundation of your governance framework.

Core documents required include:

Safeguarding policy – tailored to adults or children depending on your service
Infection prevention and control
Medication management
Complaints and incident handling
Recruitment and staffing
Lone working and visit safety
Whistleblowing and duty of candour
Confidentiality, GDPR and record keeping

Your policies must reflect realistic service delivery – not just templates. Regulators will expect you to explain how they are implemented in practice.

You’ll also need robust care planning templates, including:

Initial needs and risk assessments
Personalised care plans
Consent and capacity forms
Visit logs and MAR charts
Daily notes and handover sheets

Having a cloud-based system to manage these documents helps you stay organised, demonstrate audit trails, and ensure your team is always working from the most up-to-date version.

Step 9: Market Your Service and Build Local Referral Networks

Once your care service is ready to operate, you need to get the word out — not just to clients, but also to the professionals and organisations who refer them. Unlike retail businesses, domiciliary care relies heavily on relationships, trust and visibility in the local community.

Many providers underestimate how long it takes to build a steady stream of enquiries. Starting early and being proactive with marketing can make the difference between slow growth and a thriving caseload.

Ways to market your domiciliary care service:

Professional website – with clear services, contact options and CQC link
Google Business Profile – essential for local search visibility
Social media presence – particularly Facebook for families and carers
Printed leaflets and posters – in GP surgeries, libraries, community centres
Word of mouth – through satisfied clients and their families

But marketing to clients alone isn’t enough. You should also actively engage with:

Local authority commissioning teams
Discharge coordinators in hospitals
Social workers and district nurses
Voluntary organisations and charities
Faith-based groups and local carers’ hubs

Being visible, helpful and professional in these circles positions your business as a trusted option. Referral relationships take time to build, so aim for regular check-ins and updates — not just one-off outreach.

Step 10: Prepare for Your Regulator Interview and Site Visit

The final step before approval is your interview and/or site visit with your UK regulator. This is where you’ll be assessed not just on paper, but on your understanding of the service, the regulations, and your readiness to operate safely.

For England, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) will usually invite the Registered Manager (and sometimes the Nominated Individual) to a formal video interview. In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, your regulator may carry out a site visit or office inspection instead.

This stage is crucial. Many registrations are delayed because providers aren’t able to clearly explain how they will meet regulatory expectations.

What to expect in your registration interview:

Questions about your Statement of Purpose, service model and client base
How you’ll deliver safe, person-centred care from day one
Your plans for staff recruitment, training and oversight
Knowledge of the fundamental standards (CQC) or national care standards
How your policies and documentation are implemented in daily practice
Understanding of governance, audits and risk management

Be ready with examples, and make sure your policies and care templates are accessible and understood – not just downloaded.

If your application is approved, you’ll receive a registration certificate and be listed on the regulator’s public directory. From that point, you’re authorised to begin delivering regulated care.

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Conclusion

Launching a domiciliary care business in the UK is a detailed process – but with the right preparation, it’s absolutely achievable. From choosing the right legal structure and registering with your national care regulator, to building a compliant operation and recruiting a skilled team, every step matters.

By following this 10-step guide, you’ll be far better prepared to meet regulatory expectations, launch your service confidently, and deliver high-quality care from day one.

Remember: registration is only the beginning. Continuous improvement, compliance, and a strong local reputation are what turn a new business into a sustainable care service.

If you’d like hands-on help to avoid delays or costly mistakes, we’re here to support you. Whether you need guidance with your CQC application, help writing policies, or support preparing for interview, our team of compliance specialists is just a call away.