Blog updated on May 24, 2024
What qualifications do I need to open a care agency?
There are certain requirements to start a care agency which must be fulfilled before you start trading. To start a care agency in the UK you need to be registered with, and approved by, the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This is the UK’s regulatory body which oversees the care sector and it is a legal requirement as set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
You can find out how to register your business with the CQC here. Remember that this is the first step in becoming a home care provider.
While some people may confuse the terms nursing agency and care or domiciliary agency, the two are mutually exclusive and they mean different things. With a care agency for example, you as the owner of the agency are required to either be appropriately qualified yourself in order to take on the role of a Registered Manager or you’ll need to appoint a person to this role. So what are the requirements for such health care qualifications in the UK for this particular position?
For senior management such as a Registered Manager, you need a Level 5 diploma in Health and Social Care, or be studying towards it. This is a CQC requirement and either you as the owner or another person running your operation need to be appropriately qualified. It is also possible for a Registered Nurse or a Social Worker with an NVQ Level 5 qualification to take on this role.
It’s sensible, if you’re setting up the business, to appoint a Registered Manager and to not take on this role yourself. Being a Registered Manager is all about the day to day of the care, while as a business owner you should be focusing on growing the business.
Other aspects that can help you succeed in this venture include having suitable management qualifications. The reason behind this is that you’ll be solely responsible for the care that’s provided by the care workers under your guidance and supervision. Further nice-to-haves include knowledge of how to run a business, some marketing experience and skills, the ability to recruit effectively to build an effective team, technological skills, payroll skills as well as knowledge of Human Resources and UK employment legislation.
It is not necessary to have experience in care to start a home care agency, as long as you employ an experienced Registered Manager.
