With a conversation, not a company registration. Before you spend money on anything, you need to know whether your idea is viable, what you'll need in place, and in what order. That's exactly what the free consultation is for. You don't need a business plan, a name or a company to book it.

There's no rule that the owner must have a care background, but the CQC will want to see that the people running the service are fit, competent and understand what they're taking on. In practice that usually means a suitably qualified and experienced registered manager. If that isn't you, we'll help you plan how to bring one in.

Only if you plan to deliver nursing or clinical care. Most new domiciliary care, supported living and residential care providers don't need a clinical qualification to own the business, but the service does need the right leadership and staff for what it delivers.

It depends on your experience, your funding and the demand where you are. Domiciliary (home) care and supported living have lower start-up costs because you're not buying or fitting out a building, while care homes need significant capital and property. We'll talk through the options on your call and help you pick the model that fits.

Yes, and many people do the planning and set-up phase while working. Bear in mind that once you're registered and delivering care, a registered manager needs to be available to run the service properly, so plan your transition realistically.

Demand for care continues to grow, but it varies a great deal by area and service type, and the market can be competitive. That's why our business set-up work includes market research and a clear view of who your clients will be, rather than assuming demand exists.

It depends on how much you already have in place and on CQC processing times, which have varied considerably. Company set-up can be done in days, the application and documentation take longer, and the CQC decision is outside anyone's control. Plan in months rather than weeks.

Not necessarily. You can register with the CQC as an individual, a partnership or an organisation such as a limited company. Most new providers choose a limited company, and if you do, the company needs to exist before the CQC application goes in. We'll help you decide and handle the Companies House registration with you.

A director owns and runs the company. The nominated individual is the person the CQC holds responsible for supervising the regulated activity on behalf of the organisation. The registered manager runs the service day to day and is personally registered with the CQC. In a small start-up the same person can hold all three roles, if they have the time and experience to do them properly.

For most services, yes. Even a home care agency needs a suitable office where confidential records can be stored securely and staff can be supervised. Whether a home office is acceptable depends on your service type and set-up, so talk to us before you sign a lease.

You'll need public liability insurance and, once you employ anyone, employer's liability insurance, which is a legal requirement in its own right. The CQC asks for a quote or certificate as part of registration. Depending on your service you may also need professional indemnity and other cover. We'll point you in the right direction.

You can recruit, check and train staff before registration, and you'll need to show the CQC how you plan to do it safely. What you can't do is deliver any regulated care until your registration is granted. Timing recruitment so you're not paying wages with no income is something we plan with you.

New care workers are expected to be trained to the Care Certificate standards, alongside role-specific training such as medication, moving and handling, and safeguarding. The CQC will want to see your training plan as part of your application. Your start-up adviser will help you map it out.

Yes. Many of our clients fund their start-up through the government-backed Start Up Loans scheme, and we prepare the application with you, including the business plan, cash flow forecast and supporting information the assessors expect to see. We'll also talk through other routes if a Start Up Loan isn't right for you.

If you'll be providing personal care (help with washing, dressing, eating, toileting or medication) or any other regulated activity, yes, and you must be registered before you start. Companionship-only or domestic help services usually don't need registration. We'll confirm where your idea sits on the call.

Once the business exists, you have suitable premises, a registered manager identified, your policies and Statement of Purpose written and your finances evidenced. Applying too early with gaps is one of the main causes of

In most cases, yes. Unless you're an individual who will personally manage the service day to day, the CQC requires a registered manager, and their application goes in alongside yours. If you plan to be the registered manager yourself, we'll assess whether your experience and qualifications are where the CQC expects them to be.