Business Start-Ups in Health & Social Care: The Basics You Must Get Right.

Perissos Consultancy
Apr 3
4 min read

Updated: Apr 4

Starting a care business isn’t just about ticking boxes or getting your paperwork in order — it’s about building something with purpose. Something that can genuinely change lives.

If you're thinking of launching a domiciliary care agency, supported living service, or another form of provision, I want to encourage you: you can absolutely do this. But I also want to be real with you — the start-up process in health and social care comes with a lot of responsibility.

At Perissos Consultancy, we walk with you through that journey — not just to help you “get registered,” but to build a strong, sustainable service that reflects your vision and values.

So whether you’re just starting to explore your options, or you’re already knee-deep in applications and wondering where to go from here — these are the non-negotiables you absolutely need to get right from the beginning.

1. CQC Registration – No Room for Guesswork

Let’s start with the obvious — if you’re planning to deliver regulated care activities, you must register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

This isn’t a quick or casual process. It includes:

A clear and honest Statement of Purpose (who you are, what you’ll do, and how)
Evidence that you have a Registered Manager in place with the right experience and leadership ability
A full suite of policies and safeguarding protocols
Proof that you can meet CQC’s five key questions: Are you Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, and Well-led?

Here’s my advice: don’t rush this. If your application gets rejected, it’s not just frustrating — it can delay your whole business plan and hurt your credibility before you’ve even started.

Take the time to get it right. And if you need help, that’s what we’re here for.

2. Policies & Procedures That Reflect Real Practice

Buying a policy pack can be helpful, yes — but please, don’t stop there.

Your policies must reflect what you actually do in your service. CQC inspectors will speak to your staff, look at your documentation, and assess whether your written policies line up with daily practice.

Ask yourself:

Can my staff explain our safeguarding procedure if asked?
Do our whistleblowing and complaints processes feel clear and safe to use?
Is infection control being lived out — or just written down?

If the answer is “I’m not sure,” let’s fix that early. A policy is only powerful if it’s understood and followed.

3. Recruitment: Hire for Heart and Skill

You already know that safer recruitment is a legal must — DBS checks, references, right-to-work documents, etc.

But in care, compliance alone isn’t enough. You’re building a team that will carry your vision. That means looking for people who are kind, values-led, teachable, and committed to treating people with dignity.

When I work with providers on recruitment, I always say: don’t just hire people who can “do the job” — hire people who love the work. That heart will come through in every interaction with the people you support.

And once they’re in post, make sure you’ve got a good induction and training plan in place. That first impression sets the tone.

4. Your Vision Is Your Superpower

This is my favourite part — your why.

Why are you doing this? Who are you passionate about supporting? What kind of service do you want to build?

Your vision and values aren’t just something you write once and forget. They should shape how you lead, how you train, how you respond to challenges, and how you show up every day.

A clear vision:

Attracts the right team
Sets the tone for service delivery
Helps families, commissioners and stakeholders believe in your mission

So please don’t keep your “why” in a drawer — bring it into every part of your business.

5. Build in Quality from the Beginning

Here’s the thing — quality assurance isn’t just for when something goes wrong. It’s something you embed early so that everything you build is aligned with excellence and care.

From day one, start creating systems for: