A franchisee is responsible for developing and managing the local business.
This may include:

• Building relationships with clients and families
• Promoting the service within the local community
• Recruiting and supporting care professionals
• Managing day-to-day operations
• Monitoring quality and safeguarding
• Managing finances and business performance
• Following Hartley Group policies and procedures
• Developing referral and community partnerships
• Ensuring the service operates in line with applicable requirements

The role combines business leadership, people management, customer service, and a commitment to high-quality care.

Previous care or business experience may be beneficial, but it is not necessarily essential.
The most important qualities are a genuine commitment to helping people, strong organisational skills, reliability, leadership ability, and a willingness to follow established systems.
You will receive training and ongoing guidance to help you understand the operational, commercial, and service-delivery aspects of running the franchise.
Any legally required qualifications, registrations, or experience should be confirmed before you proceed.

Business experience can be helpful, but you do not need to have built a care company before. The franchise model is designed to provide structured support in areas such as business planning, marketing, recruitment, finance, operations, and quality management.
You will still need to take responsibility for learning the business, making decisions, leading your team, and managing performance.

Training is designed to help you prepare for launch and operate your franchise confidently.
Depending on the final franchise package, training may cover:

• Understanding the franchise model
• Business planning
• Home care operations
• Recruitment and staff management
• Marketing and business development
• Client assessments and care planning
• Quality assurance
• Safeguarding
• Complaints and incident management
• Financial management
• Systems and software
• Leadership and team development

Additional training may be available as your business grows or your service offering develops.

Support continues after your business opens.
Franchisees may receive help with:

• Day-to-day operational questions
• Business planning and performance reviews
• Recruitment and staff development
• Marketing and local promotion
• Quality monitoring
• Safeguarding procedures
• Client and family communications
• Systems and documentation
• Problem-solving and business development
• Identifying opportunities for growth

The purpose of this ongoing support is to help you build confidence, maintain standards, and develop a sustainable local business.

Franchise availability will depend on existing territories, local demand, population size, staffing availability, and the Hartley Group network structure.
Your proposed territory should be discussed before entering into an agreement.
You should understand:

• The geographical area covered
• Whether the territory is exclusive
• Whether other franchisees may operate nearby
• Your business-development responsibilities
• Any restrictions on marketing or service delivery

Services will depend on the approved Hartley Group model, your local requirements, your staffing capabilities, and any relevant registrations or approvals.
Services may include:

• Personal care
• Companionship
• Meal preparation
• Medication support
• Mobility assistance
• Respite care
• Support with daily living
• Live-in or overnight care
• Specialist support, where appropriately trained

You should only provide services that your business is properly prepared, staffed, trained, and authorised to deliver.

The premises requirements will depend on the franchise model and applicable requirements in your area. You may need suitable office space for management, administration, staff meetings, recruitment, and secure record handling.
The franchise team can explain the expected premises standards and help you plan your setup.

Recruitment is a central part of operating a home care business.
Franchisees may receive guidance on:

• Writing job descriptions
• Advertising vacancies
• Interviewing candidates
• Checking references
• Completing required background checks
• Assessing values and suitability
• Providing induction
• Organising training
• Managing supervision and development

The quality of your care team will have a direct impact on client satisfaction, reputation, compliance, and business growth.

Quality and safeguarding must be built into everyday operations.
Franchisees are supported to establish procedures for:

• Client assessments
• Care planning
• Risk management
• Staff training
• Supervision
• Incident reporting
• Safeguarding concerns
• Complaints
• Record keeping
• Feedback
• Service reviews
• Continuous improvement

All procedures should reflect current legal and regulatory requirements in the area where the franchise operates.

Client enquiries may come from a combination of:

• Local marketing
• Website enquiries
• Referrals
• Community networking
• Health and social care professionals
• Families and representatives
• Local organisations
• Recommendations
• Digital advertising

You will be expected to develop your local presence and build trusted relationships. Hartley Group may provide marketing materials, brand guidance, and business-development support.

A franchise can provide the opportunity to build a profitable business, but income and profitability are not guaranteed.
Results depend on factors such as:

• Local demand
• Pricing
• Staffing costs
• Client numbers
• Visit scheduling
• Business management
• Recruitment and retention
• Operating expenses
• Marketing effectiveness
• Quality of service
• The time and commitment invested

A detailed financial forecast should be prepared using realistic assumptions. Avoid relying on guaranteed returns or unsupported income claims.

A home care franchise requires active involvement, particularly during the launch and early growth stages.
Your time may be needed for:

• Business planning
• Recruitment
• Client meetings
• Team management
• Marketing
• Quality monitoring
• Administration
• Networking
• Financial oversight
• Problem-solving

The expected time commitment should be discussed before investing. It will also depend on the size of your team and the management structure you build.

Multi-territory or multi-unit ownership may be possible, subject to performance, territory availability, funding, and the terms of the franchise agreement.
Many franchisees begin with one territory, establish strong systems and performance, and then consider expansion when they have the capacity to manage additional locations.

You should have access to the agreed support channels for operational, staffing, quality, and business questions. The appropriate response will depend on the nature of the issue.
Safeguarding concerns, emergencies, complaints, and regulatory matters must always be handled promptly and according to the relevant procedures.

The franchise term, renewal arrangements, notice periods, restrictions, and exit provisions will be set out in the franchise agreement.
You should obtain independent legal advice before signing and ensure you understand:

• The length of the agreement
• Renewal conditions
• Fees on renewal
• Performance requirements
• Transfer conditions
• Termination provisions
• Post-termination restrictions
• Your responsibilities at the end of the agreement

A sale or transfer may be possible, but it will usually be subject to the terms of the franchise agreement and approval requirements.
The agreement should explain:

• Whether transfer is permitted
• How a buyer is assessed
• Whether Hartley Group approval is required
• Any transfer fee
• Training requirements for the new owner
• Your responsibilities during the transfer

Hartley Group combines a structured franchise opportunity with the chance to deliver meaningful support within the community.
The franchise offers:

• A purpose-led business model
• Training and practical guidance
• Ongoing support
• Established systems and resources
• A focus on personalised home care
• Opportunities for local business growth
• The support of a wider franchise network

The first step is to contact the Hartley Group franchise team. You can discuss your goals, experience, preferred location, investment plans, and the support available.
The usual process may include:

1. Initial enquiry
2. Introductory discussion
3. Franchise information
4. Financial and territory review
5. Application
6. Business planning
7. Independent legal and financial advice
8. Agreement and training
9. Launch preparation
10. Opening and ongoing support

Ready to explore the opportunity?
Contact Hartley Group today to learn more about the franchise model, costs, training, support, and next steps.