domiciliary care business continuity plan

Domiciliary Care Business Plan: How to Navigate the Industry and Secure Long-Term Success

• January 25, 2024

Are you considering starting a domiciliary care business? With an aging global population and the increasing demand for home care services, it’s a lucrative industry to venture into. But, as with any business, success lies in careful planning and execution. In this comprehensive article, we will guide you through the process of creating an effective domiciliary care business plan that will help you navigate the industry and secure long-term success.

From understanding the market and assessing the competition to identifying your target audience and defining your unique selling point, this article covers it all. We will delve into the essential components of a strong business plan, such as financial projections, marketing strategies, staffing considerations, and quality and compliance.

By the end of this article, you will have a clear roadmap to guide you through the complexities of starting and running a domiciliary care business. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur looking to diversify your portfolio or someone passionate about making a difference in people’s lives, this article is a must-read. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to carve a rewarding career in the booming domiciliary care industry.

Understanding the Domiciliary Care Industry

The domiciliary care industry, also known as home care, provides essential support and assistance to individuals who prefer to receive care in their own homes. This industry has witnessed substantial growth in recent years due to various factors, including the aging population and the desire for personalised care.

To navigate the domiciliary care industry successfully, it’s crucial to understand its dynamics and trends. The first step is to conduct thorough market research. Analyse the current landscape, including the demand for services, the demographics of the target market, and the regulatory environment. This information will help you identify opportunities and potential challenges, enabling you to develop a business plan tailored to the specific needs of your target audience.

The Importance of a Business Plan in Domiciliary Care

A well-crafted business plan is essential for any entrepreneur looking to enter the domiciliary care industry. It serves as a roadmap, guiding you through each stage of your business’s development and ensuring that you make informed decisions. A comprehensive business plan not only helps you secure funding but also demonstrates your understanding of the industry and your ability to navigate its complexities.

Your business plan should outline your mission, vision, and values, as well as your short and long-term goals. It should also include a detailed analysis of your target market, competitors, marketing strategies, financial projections, and staffing considerations. A solid business plan will serve as a reference point for your own decision-making and growth strategies.

Key Elements of a Domiciliary Care Business Plan

1. Market Analysis and Competitor Research

Before launching your domiciliary care business, a thorough analysis of the market is essential. Identify the demand for home care services in your target area, including the size of the aging population and their specific needs. Assess the competition and understand their strengths and weaknesses. This analysis will help you identify gaps in the market and position your business uniquely. At Walfinch, all franchisees get exclusive rights to a territory including a minimum of 250,000 people and a minimum of 40,000 people aged 65 years and over.

2. Identifying Your Target Audience and Niche

To succeed in the domiciliary care industry, it’s crucial to identify your target audience and define your niche. Determine the specific demographics, preferences, and needs of your target market. Consider factors such as age, medical conditions, and cultural backgrounds. This information will help you tailor your services and marketing strategies to attract and retain clients. One Walfinch franchisee serves a large community of people with Gujurati heritage, for example, so organising a traditional dance called a garba every now and again has been a great way to pick up clients.

3. Developing a Marketing and Sales Strategy

Creating a robust marketing and sales strategy is essential for attracting clients and growing your domiciliary care business. Utilise both traditional and digital marketing channels to reach your target audience. Develop a strong online presence, including a user-friendly website and active social media profiles. Establish partnerships with healthcare professionals and community organizations to expand your reach. All Walfinch franchisees get their own microsite and socials to help you quickly attract new clients.

4. Operations and Staffing Considerations

Efficient operations and adequate staffing are crucial for providing quality domiciliary care services. Develop a detailed plan for service delivery, including scheduling, equipment, and transportation. Hire qualified and compassionate carers who align with your values and mission. Provide ongoing training and support to ensure the highest standard of care.

5. Financial Projections and Funding Options

Creating realistic financial projections is vital for the long-term success of your domiciliary care business. Estimate your startup costs, including licensing, insurance, equipment, and marketing expenses. Determine your pricing strategy based on the services provided and the local market. Explore funding options, such as loans, grants, or partnerships, to secure the necessary capital. Walfinch franchisees receive support on all these things at the beginning and on an ongoing basis.

6. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Compliance is essential in the domiciliary care industry. Familiarise yourself with the regulations governing home care services. Obtain the necessary licenses and certifications. Develop policies and procedures to ensure compliance with privacy laws, safety standards, and employee regulations. Walfinch franchisees get a dedicated Quality and Compliance Manager who will help you navigate this landscape to make sure you receive positive ratings from your regulator.

Long-Term Success and Growth Strategies

To secure long-term success in the domiciliary care industry, it’s essential to develop strategies for growth and continuous improvement. Regularly evaluate your business performance and identify areas for optimisation. Seek feedback from clients, carers, and other stakeholders to gain insights into areas that can be enhanced.

Invest in technology solutions that can improve operational efficiency and enhance the client experience. Explore opportunities for diversification, such as expanding into specialised care services like live in care. Continuously monitor industry trends and adapt your business strategies to stay ahead of the competition.

Focus on building strong relationships with clients and their families. Provide personalised and compassionate care that exceeds their expectations. Implement a robust client feedback system to measure satisfaction and address any concerns promptly.

Finally, invest in your own professional development as a business owner. Stay informed about industry advancements, attend conferences and workshops, and network with other professionals in the domiciliary care industry. Continuously strive to improve your skills and knowledge to lead your business to long-term success.

Fill in the form below to request more information about running your own home care business.

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Business continuity planning and support

Published 17:16pm, 6 April 2020

Last Updated 16:09pm, 17 January 2022

Beat the heat: Be prepared for summer heat waves

With global warming happening even faster than feared, the Met Office has warned:

• There is a 66% chance that global temperatures will exceed the 1.5C pre-industrial average for at least one of the next five years;
• There is a 98% chance that one of the next five years will be the warmest on record;
• This follows heat waves of increasing duration and intensity in recent years with temperatures recorded in England at over 40C last July with widespread ‘tropical nights’.

We know that older people and people with certain health conditions are less able to adapt to hot weather, especially when it is overnight and for extended periods.

That makes it more important than ever that as organisations which support people vulnerable to hot weather, we are informed and prepared.

We will continue to issue heat wave warnings when we receive them as PEN newsflashes.

It is important all of us check our business continuity and other arrangements with the potential of longer and more intense heat waves in mind.

Here is some advice that may be useful:

• UKHSA guidance ‘Hot weather and health: supporting vulnerable people’

This information aims to assist professionals in protecting vulnerable people from the health impacts of severe heat in England.

This includes specific advice for social care staff managers and carers and for healthcare professionals.

• UKHSA guidance ‘Adverse Weather and Health Plan’

The Adverse Weather and Health Plan aims to protect individuals and communities from the health effects of adverse weather and to build community resilience.

• UKHSA guidance ‘Beat the heat’

This guidance provides advice for everyone on how to stay safe during hot weather. Includes a poster and leaflet.

• UKHSA guidance ‘Heat Health Alert Action Cards’

Heat-Health Alert (HHA) action cards summarise suggested actions to be taken by different professional bodies and organisations in the event of extreme heat.

This includes specific advice for commissioners, providers, and the voluntary and community sector.

• Care Provider Alliance guidance on business continuity planning , including for hot weather

You will also be aware that Devon reservoirs have been well below capacity for some time, with water use restrictions in place. Devon County Council and our Local Resilience Forum are in regular dialogue with South West Water on this and don’t currently anticipate any disruption to supply for domestic or health and care settings.

Avian influenza (bird flu)

How to spot avian influenza (bird flu), what to do if you suspect it and measures to prevent it. For advice and information please refer to the government website .

Winter Plan 2021-22

• Home – Safety and Emergencies
• Local Resilience Forum
• Business Continuity Planning – Care Provider Alliance

COVID-19 national Winter Plan updated with comprehensive provider guidance links

The government has now updated its national COVID-19 Winter Plan for adult social care into a document which brings together information and guidance on all relevant topics including Infection Prevention and Control, PPE, COVID-19 and flu vaccination, hospital discharge and more, with discrete sections on action for providers.

Please read The adult social care: COVID-19 winter plan 2021 to 2022 .

Domiciliary Care Business Continuity Planning meeting 13 January 2022

A presentation from the meeting with useful links to support tools.

• The Letter for people using services from (11 January 2022) for you to send to clients using your services when the need arises, for example as part of staff absence related to covid. Please consider the most appropriate point to send the letter to avoid any unnecessary anxiety to your clients. The template letter can be revised with your own logo and key messaging, but we ask you retain the bullet points which are key and will ensure consistency of message across the DCC footprint.
• The Keeping Yourself and Others Safe Leaflet can be sent to you in hard copy to help support messaging.  If you would like these posted to you, please email the mailbox: [email protected] and provide: a) recipients name in your organisation b) address for delivery c) how many leaflets required. (Please be aware we will be unable to send the leaflets out to you if any of this detail is missing, but you can print the leaflet from the link above).
• Whilst you will have your own Client Prioritisation (RAG rating) tool as part of your Business Continuity Plan; we are sharing a tool developed by DCC to assist you in prioritising support packages for your clients.  This is for your use and DCC do not require this information to be submitted.
• We would like to receive detail of where you are stepping down care (stepped down individual visits), and have created the following template to support you to complete this Weekly Record .

Please send your updated template through to the relevant CDP team on a weekly   basis and mark the email as “ COVID – STEP DOWN ”. Where possible please submit this by 10am – we will use this as a summary of your position for our records.

Please note – if you are concerned about a client’s safety, please alert us in the normal way and not via this form.

This is a temporary measure during the Omicron peak to support both DCC and private clients, the temporary step down will be effective from Monday 17 January 2022. This position will be reviewed w/c 31 January and DCC will communicate if the process should stop or continue.

The responsibility for client care will remain with the provider, and where care is stepped down, regular welfare calls will need to be made to ensure the contingency in place remains robust. The provider will be expected to step back up care where the contingency arrangement cannot be maintained.

Please approach your local Care Direct Plus Centre if you would like to request a review for a client, we will prioritise this where possible (subject to our staffing capacity).

Please ensure that you communicate any concerns with the relevant CDP as soon as feasible; as whilst DCC and the system remain under severe pressure, the earlier we are informed the better able we will be to support you.

Locality emails:  

CDP East email: [email protected]  

CDP North email: [email protected]    

CDP South & West email: [email protected]  

Business continuity planning templates and guidance

As part of organisational resilience, it is vital for providers to have a robust and up to date business continuity plan (BCP) that support them to manage risk effectively at a point of crisis.

The Care Provider Alliance has developed business continuity planning guidance along with a standard template for social care which can be found here: Business continuity planning guidance and template – Care Provider Alliance .

The guidance also includes additional information on planning for power outages, data breaches and cyber-attacks.

All providers should have updated their own business continuity plans to include all foreseeable risks including those presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. This document provides useful tips to develop your business continuity plan and is grouped by different service types.

If you would like the County Council to review your business continuity plans or to offer any support please email [email protected] and they can support you. Please be aware that this will be where capacity is available. When sending your BCP please state the reason that you are requesting the review.

Care homes and residential care Winter Readiness Toolkit

The Winter Readiness letter with links to the Pack have been sent directly to care homes but the Pack can be found online .

Care homes business continuity planning for COVID-19 outbreaks

DCC’s Service Recovery Team has issued care homes business continuity planning for COVID-19 outbreaks .

Business support

You can contact the government’s Business Support Helpline for free advice. See GOV.UK – Get help and support for your business to find out more about the helpline as well as other schemes to support you.

Free business support helpline (South West)

Businesses across the south west, who are facing changes to their working environments due to the coronavirus pandemic, will be able to access free advice and support on remote and home working with the launch of a new helpline (call 0330 088 4421).

Cosmic, a Devon-based social enterprise specialising in all things digital – including digital skills training –  has launched its Business Continuity Helpline to share their knowledge and expertise with organisations in the region and to ‘keep the south west working’.

The helpline and an associated toolkit will provide advice and support on home working and managing a business during periods of disruption.

Advice from ACAS (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service)

ACAS: advice for employers and employees worried about coronavirus

How do I get additional supplies of food to feed residents if we run out and can’t get more?

It was not anticipated that there would be food shortages, but your Business Continuity Plan should include consideration of action to address such an eventuality. If you believe that you are at serious risk of being unable to source supplies, please contact us [email protected].

Adult Care and Health have escalated the shortage of food supplies in local supermarkets to the Devon County Council Pandemic Incident Management Team and we are working to help resolve local issues. We will update on the position as soon as possible.

Has any provider undertaken a risk assessment or set up specific policies they might share?

How have providers set up contingency for staff shortages?

Business Continuity good practice tips for providers and some useful links to refer to .

We would encourage you to share good examples of BCPs with one another on the Care Managers Facebook Page, LinkedIn and  Outstanding Managers Facebook Page . If you register on these facebook pages you will be able to access all sorts of examples posted by providers.

If the invoicing team are quarantined do DCC have back up plans to be able to pay providers in the usual timescales?

DCC departments have business continuity plans prepared. Staff who handle payments are organised in a range of teams which are based at a number of different locations around the county. If required, staff skills are transferrable to support Accounts Payable operations.

Please make DCC aware if the service is at risk of experiencing critical staffing levels despite exploring and exhausting all avenues of their BCP.

DCC and CCG business continuity information for providers

All providers should have developed their own coronavirus business continuity plans.  Many providers are already doing so, together with other examples of policies that people can use to guide their development.

This document provides useful tips to develop your business continuity plan and is grouped by different service types.

If you would like the County Council to review your business continuity plans or to offer any support please email [email protected] and they can support you.

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DOMICILIARY CARE BUSINESS PLAN: Template & All You Need

• by Kenechukwu Muoghalu
• August 14, 2023
• No comments
• 8 minute read

Table of Contents Hide

What is a domiciliary care business , what services do domiciliary care offer, what is a domiciliary care business plan, #1. executive summary, #2. company overview, #3. market analysis, #4. management team , #5. services description , #6. marketing plan, #7. operational plan, #8. financial projections, #9. appendix, how do i get clients for domiciliary care uk, what are the advantages and disadvantages of domiciliary care, what are the mandatory training for domiciliary care workers, how long does it take to train to be a carer, is the care certificate mandatory, how long is care training, need help writing your domiciliary care business plan, final thoughts, what is an example of domiciliary care, what qualifications do i need to open a care agency, how does a care agency make money.

The domiciliary care industry is valued at £7.7bn in the UK, which signifies that it is a stable and secure business to invest in, but not in the absence of a plan. A business plan sets the groundwork for the growth of your business, so for your UK domiciliary care business to run successfully, you will need a plan. To this effect, we have created a guide that would carefully explain the basics of your home care business while directing you on how you can create a plan for yourself. We also made provisions for a ready-made UK Domiciliary Care business plan that comes in the form of a PDF and a Doc format. In any case, you don’t want to go through the stress of creating a new one. 

Without further ado, let’s look at what we have in stock for you. 

The term “domiciliary” originated from the Latin word “Domus,” which means “home”. Domiciliary care, sometimes known as home care, involves an individual or agencies that provide daily assistance for those who need help in their home. These paid professionals specialise in assisting the elderly and disabled to help keep them living independently in their houses. 

They are mainly hired by relatives of the house owner or the local authorities. Domiciliary care business does not just provide help to some vulnerable people, this business also potentially generates lucrative returns.

As a home caregiver, you should be able to handle some day-to-day living services and certain health care issues. Your services might also differ depending on what your client needs and the kind of agreement of services you have signed during your contract. Some of the common services you can offer include:

• Household chores
• Dietary needs
• Personal and continence care
• Companionship 
• Errands that include doctor visits
• Support with advice and information 
• Medication management 

A domiciliary care business plan has multiple functions which range from helping you run your business in the right way to helping you secure some form of finance to make your dreams a reality. A domiciliary care business plan is a plan, a blueprint or roadmap on paper that serves as a guide to attain growth in your business. 

Creating a business plan all depends on how best your resources can handle your business. If you want to run your business based on your personal savings, then you need a simple UK domiciliary care business plan that will just help you stay on track. However, if you are seeking investors or lenders, you need to create a more comprehensive plan. 

How do I Write a Business Plan for Domiciliary Care?

Having read all of this, it’s now time to create your UK domiciliary care business plan but before we proceed, you should know that

creating a business plan requires some form of pattern to follow, either constructing it in a PDF or doc format. With this template below, you will get a hang of it. Let’s look at what should be included in your plan. 

The executive summary is basically the overview of your whole business plan. It should contain other sub-sections of your domiciliary care business plan including financial projections, marketing plans, organisational structure and market research among others. This section is usually the first to appear but the last to construct. 

Most readers will glance through this section to get the information they need to know about the business, instead of reading the whole business plan. So while creating your executive summary, it should be brief, clear and concise. 

Your company overview should contain an in-depth analysis of the vision you have for your domiciliary care business. You can also talk about your mission statement and where you wish your business to be in the nearest future. How about your company’s history? You can add that too if you are already an existing business. Include your strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities and tell your reader how you plan to tackle each of them. 

Before you construct this section of your market analysis , you need to have a thorough study of your domiciliary care industry. During your market research, you should focus on important points like your ideal target audience, their demographic data, what services they might like more, your market value, and a host of other viable information. When you have a solid understanding of the market and industry you are working in, then you can effectively write this section. 

Just as the name implies, your management or organizational team and the structure of your organisation shouldn’t be left out in your business plan. Starting domiciliary care will involve you employing staff that will help the growth of the company. This is where you identify who your carers are and their different skills. You should also introduce yourself as the head of the organisation. 

What kind of services do you offer in your domiciliary care business? You will need to answer that question under your service description. You can either offer a broad range of services or settle in a particular niche. If possible, you can list all of them and be specific about the ones you offer. 

Your sales and marketing plan should cover the strategies you plan on employing on your business. It should include the plans you have to create awareness for your brand and attract new clients while keeping the existing clients satisfied. Tell your readers the marketing campaigns you will use to carry out the function. Will you create an online presence or use a manual form of marketing which includes creating fliers, magazines and the likes? You can also include the personnel that will be handling the section.

All the plans and activities you have been making from the very first beginning of this article, how will you implement them? This is what you are going to explain in this section of your operational plan. What are the channels, policies, procedures and systems you will use to implement those plans and also ensure that nothing goes wrong? All this information should not be left out. 

Your financial projection is one of the most essential pieces of information that requires a clear and definite analysis. If you do not know how to go about it, you should see an advisor or reach out to us here for professional work. In this section, you should include an overview of your finances over the short, medium, and long-term basis. You should also include a balance sheet, cash flow statement, and income statement. If you are also requesting financial aid, then this is your time to make the move. 

In this section, make sure to attach all valid documents that would validate your plan and the data you have given above. 

If you are always stuck with creating marketing campaigns and not getting a positive response from your potential clients, then you need to try other effective ways. There are some steps you can take to get clients for your domiciliary care business and they include:

• Opening a website
• Using a referral strategy
• Increase your online presence by using social media
• Create leaflets or fliers

Running a domiciliary care business comes with both positive and negative effects that might not always be avoided. On the positive part, a domiciliary care business can help you maintain independence, flexibility, financial benefits and companionship among others. 

While the disadvantage is that, it is always harder to manage and build up trust with different people that come and go each time. Another disadvantage is that most times, you will be left with offering more of your services outside the agreed time and contract you had with your partner. As a caregiver, your number one priority is to offer help irrespective of the situation. 

The mandatory training for domiciliary care workers is not limited to the following:

• Health and Safety
• Fire safety 
• Safeguarding adults
• Infection, prevention and control
• Manual handling
• Food hygiene
• Human rights

As a caregiver, you can train for either a long or short period depending on the level of knowledge and skill you wish to acquire. Having this training always leaves a good impact on your side. 

Yes, a care certificate is mandatory for any care worker. A care certificate is a group of standards that caregivers need to adhere to when offering their services. This certificate is mainly to ensure that all UK’s non-regulated workforce of caregivers has the same skills and knowledge to provide high-quality care to their clients. 

Care training can last up to 12 weeks and approximately a year. This time duration can either be reduced or increased depending on the number of hours you work and your previous education and experience. 

Writing a business plan might not be as easy as it seems but because of the importance of having a business plan, you need to make provisions for it, irrespective of its daunting nature.

If you find yourself in this tight situation, it’s better to opt-in for a professional pre-made domiciliary care business plan , which can also be accessed in a PDF or doc format. 

Over the years, businessyield consult has solely invested its time and efforts into creating professional business plans for entrepreneurs. We have so far helped millions of businesses stand on their feet, and we are happy to help you too. Get hold of your business plan here and watch your home care grow.

I know that handling a domiciliary care business might not pose as a big deal, but there is always a difference when you employ a plan in it. Creating a domiciliary care business plan, on the other hand, requires a special form of time and attention for it to work effectively when applied, but in any case, if you find it too hard to manoeuvre, you can use our pre-made plan , either in PDF or doc format. 

As a domiciliary caregiver, you will need to perform some basic duties to your clients including cooking, general housekeeping, personal care, medical support, pet care and other forms of support your client might be in need of. 

Before starting as a caregiver you will need some sort of legal qualifications that would make your business legit and validate its existence. Whether you are the owner or another person handling the business, you will need qualifications. To obtain this, simply reach out to your local authorities. 

If you own a domiciliary care business, then you can make money from receiving contracts from clients that need your services. You can reach out to these clients by employing some marketing strategies and creating awareness for your brand. 

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Kenechukwu Muoghalu

Kenny, an accomplished business writer with a decade of experience, excels in translating intricate industry insights into engaging articles. Her passion revolves around distilling the latest trends, offering actionable advice, and nurturing a comprehensive understanding of the business landscape. With a proven track record of delivering insightful content, Kenny is dedicated to empowering her readers with the knowledge needed to thrive in the dynamic and ever-evolving world of business.

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MICRO BUSINESS: Definition, Challenges & Solutions

4 main parts of a business plan: 4 necessary business plan components.

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Business Continuity Management

INTRODUCTION

Essential Homecare Services has in place an Incident Plan but now recognises the need to have plans in place to ensure the integrity of its business continuity.

BCM is concerned with managing risks to ensure that all times the organisation can continue operating to at least a pre-determined minimum level. It includes key planning requirements for dealing with major internal incidents which occur and have implications for the safety of staff and Service User’s. Such incidents usually disrupt normal services and require special recovery arrangements to be implemented, for example:

• Fire • Flood • Influenza out break

Plans should be sufficiently flexible to deal with a range of situations. The plan relies upon:

• Risk analysis & Management • Service Continuity • Emergency Plans

ORGANISATION ENGAGEMENT

BCM requires leadership and commitment from all levels of the organisation. The existence of a service continuity plan should ensure that the organisation can:

• Activate a procedure to manage an emergency • Promptly assemble an emergency response team if necessary • Work through and deal with an incident in a systematic way • Deal with enquiries from the public and members of staff • Communicate and work with other agencies throughout the emergency situation • Transfer Service user’s or services to other organisations as part of an agree emergency response • Have staff that are trained and understand their roles and responsibilities

CONTINUITY MANAGEMENT IS ADDRSSING ANYTHING THAT COULD IMPOSE A DENIAL OF SERVICES

THE CONTINUITY PLAN INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:

• The risks and hazards caused by the emergency situation • The potential interruption of services service user care

ESSENTIAL HOMECARE SERVICES CONTINUITY PLAN

• Staff • Vehicles • Communication equipment

SERVICE USER’S FALL INTO THREE CATEGORIES

• Critical • Emergency • Non Critical

DEFINITIONS

Service Users have been assessed to establish that they could not tolerate any interruption of service

Service Users who could tolerate interruption of service for 4 hours or more

NON CRITICAL

Service Users who could tolerate an interruption to service for a period of time

IMPLEMENTION:

• Offer service to S&E Trust to become part of a wider emergency planning

• Critical, Emergency and Non Critical Service Users have been identified

• Good lines of communication have been established with Service User’s, Care Managers, staff and Service User families

• Staff have updated contact details

• Due to bad weather staff not able to get to Service User’s. Essential Homecare Services four-wheel drive vehicle available to get to inaccessible areas

• Staff unable to get to work. Plan in place so that staff that live close by to Service Users can get there safely on foot. Wear shoes with a good grip in cold and icy conditions

• Ensure Service User’s wrap up warm using layers indoors and out doors

• Four-wheel drive vehicle to be used to transport staff to Service User’s homes

• Service User’s families contacted asking them to attempt to get to their family member

• Alternative lines of communication with telephone provider (Call diversions)

• Co-operate with other Care Providers

• Updated care plans in place

• Ensure Service User’s eat well and keep hydrated. Advance meal and fluid preparation. Hot flasks and snacks

• Keep Service User’s living areas warm

• Draw curtains to prevent drafts

• Staff on standby to respond to service interruption

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Power disruption and costs

Updated February 2024

Power outages can have a major impact on care providers’ ability to operate effectively. The rising cost of power is also impacting on care providers with residential services.

Power disruption §

Care homes and supported living – issues to consider §.

Care providers should consider the following questions as part of their business continuity plan. If you answer ‘No’ to several questions and feel that your services are therefore vulnerable, you should revise your business continuity plans and seek further guidance and support. You may, for example, wish to discuss options with your power supplier.

• Do you have provision to maintain the power supply in your facility in the event of an outage?
• Do you have a generator? Is this regularly tested with the normal electricity load
• Does all of your equipment to maintain medical treatment for residents (e.g. dialysis) have battery powered back up in the event on a power failure? Is there any equipment that is solely dependent on mains electricity?
• Do you have alternative plans for the use of equipment that is dependent on electricity in the event of a power outage? For example, how would you evacuate people if the lift did not work?
• Do you have mutual aid plans you could draw from in the event of a long-term power outage?
• Are you already on the  Priority Service Register ? This can provide you with priority support from your electricity distribution network operator in an emergency.  Contact your electricity supplier to discuss.
• Do you have contingency plans for carers to access medical records if these are temporarily unavailable on computers or tablets?

Call 105 

In the event of a power cut, you can call 105 free. You will be connected to your local electricity network operator's emergency line.

Join the Priority Services Register §

The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free UK wide service which provides extra advice and support, including when there’s an interruption to your electricity, gas or water supply.

There are two categories on the PSR for:

• individuals with domestic contracts
• organisations with non-domestic contracts, including care homes and other residential services.

Residential services including care homes, supported living and retirement communities should:

• Find and contact your distribution network operator (DNO). Visit the Energy Networks website to find your DNO
• Advise them that you are a service with vulnerable people in residence
• Ask to be added to their non-domestic Priority Services Register (PSR)

Shared Lives services and domestic individuals should:

• Sign up to the domestic Priority Services Register of both your power supplier and your network operator. 

PSR customers will receive, wherever possible, advanced notice of scheduled power cuts, priority support in an emergency and priority support when calling their network operator. This would not exempt them from rota’d electricity outages.

At home – medical technology §

Loss of power for any length of time is likely to be concerning for people who rely on the use of mains-powered medical equipment at home.

Each medical device users’ care needs and circumstances are unique to them.

The company supplying the medical device, and the clinical team monitoring those devices should have spoken to the person, their family and their carers about what to do if their medical equipment malfunctions or if there is a power outage. 

Homecare providers could:

• Check that information about what to if there is a power outage is up to date and easy to access. This should include any advice that the device suppliers and/or clinical team has provided.
• If there is no plan in place, work with the suppliers and clinical teams to agree a plan with the person using the service and their family.
• Ensure that the person using the device, and their family carers have a contact number they can ring 24/7 if there is a device-related problem.
• Check if the person is on the Priority Services Register. If not, you can advise them and their family members about the PSR, what it does and how to register. You can share this link with them: https://www.thepsr.co.uk/

Additional actions

Things that medical device users and their carers can consider in developing a plan for what to do in a power outage include:

• Ensure they know their ‘Block Letter’ (the code given to their geographic area’s connection to the electricity grid) - this can be found at the top of their energy bill or via the Power Cut 105 website: Find my block letter | UK Power Cut? Call 105 For Free | Find Your Electricity Provider (powercut105.com).
• Have a list of phone numbers for who to call written down. 
• Know where to find a user manual for the device. 
• Speak to the device supplier to understand how a sudden loss of power would affect the device, if it has any back-up built into it, and what they might need to do to get it restarted. 
• If the device uses re-chargeable battery packs, always have a fully-charged spare. 
• When the rota disconnection schedules are made available, use the block letter to make a plan for using the equipment around the scheduled outage.

Related briefings and guidance §

Power cut advice for care homes and assisted living – december 2022 – energy networks association.

The Energy Networks Association has provided power cut information and advice for anyone responsible for running care home services, people who work in a care home setting and those who manage assisted-living residences. This is important to understand in light of the fact that the Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed the care sector is not explicitly eligible to be prioritised for electricity under the Electricity Supply Emergency Code. 

The information and advice can be found  here .

Please see below for a Briefing Note and Winter Ready Pamphlet that has been prepared by the Energy Networks Association.

Health and Social Care Professionals Briefing Note 20 December 2022

Winter Ready Pamphlet

Be Prepared - Pro-active Communications and Preparedness

As part of 2022/23 winter preparation the Energy Network Association ( ENA ) coordinated a ‘Be Prepared’ communications campaign that highlighted the importance of customers having contingency plans for potential power cuts and to encourage sign up to the PSR. 

Specifically on medical equipment usage, this included advice to:

• Follow your network operator on social media to receive local updates
• Save 105, the free national power cut emergency number
• Keep a mobile phone fully charged
• Check back up equipment is in working order if you depend on medical equipment that requires electricity.
• Speak to your medical equipment or health care provider ahead of any emergency power cut if you have any concerns.

Guidance for Essential Service Operators: Making Your Service More Resilient to Power Outages – 29 October 2020 – Energy Emergencies Executive Committee

The Energy Emergencies Executive Committee has produced guidance for essential service operators – including care providers, on steps they can take to plan for potential short-term power outages.

Guidance for Essential Service Operators

Energy costs §

Energy bills discount scheme – beis §.

The Energy Bills Discount Scheme runs for 12 months from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.

This scheme replaces the  Energy Bill Relief Scheme  which supported businesses and organisations between 1 October 2022 and 31 March 2023.

The scheme is made up of 3 different parts:

• The baseline discount provides some support with energy bills for eligible non-domestic customers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland – this support is applied automatically
• The Energy and Trade Intensive Industries (ETII) discount provides a higher level of support to businesses and organisations in eligible sectors – you need to  apply for this support
• The Heat Network discount provides a higher level of support to heat networks with domestic end consumers – you need to  apply for this support .

After 25 July 2023, ETIIs can only apply for the higher level of support if they became eligible after 26 April 2023. New organisations or newly eligible organisations will have 90 days to apply from the date at which they become eligible.

Heat suppliers that were eligible for the higher level of support on 26 April must apply as soon as possible. If you supply a heat network that became eligible after 26 April, you must apply within 90 days of when the network became eligible.

Eligibility

The scheme is available to everyone on a non-domestic energy supply contract with a licensed energy supplier including:

• voluntary sector organisations, such as charities
• public sector organisations such as schools, hospitals and care homes
• on existing fixed price contracts that were agreed on or after 1 December 2021
• signing new fixed price contracts
• on deemed/out of contract or variable tariffs, or
• on flexible purchase (or similar) contracts
• on variable ‘Day Ahead Index’ (DAI) tariffs (Northern Ireland scheme only)

Energy Bills Discount Scheme

Energy Bills Discount Scheme Factsheet

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