Experience is the bedrock of Bluebird Care, now franchising in a £12 billion growth market

Bluebird Care

Experience is the bedrock of Bluebird Care, now franchising in a £12 billion growth market

September 3, 2007

Bluebird Care is a professionally run, top class home care organisation, providing care assistants, companions and other staff to help disabled and older people to live as comfortably and securely as possible in their own homes.

Bluebird Care is a professionally run, top class home care organisation, providing care assistants, companions and other staff to help disabled and older people to live as comfortably and securely as possible in their own homes. Bluebird works with a large range of organizations including Social Services, the NHS and private individuals to ensure that every customer gets the highest standards of care. This is a management franchise offering suitable candidates the opportunity to build a successful and worthwhile business with the full support of a highly experienced franchise team.

Simon Dalziel and Paul Tarsey, Bluebird Care’s franchise director and managing director respectively, first worked together nearly ten years ago when they were the driving force behind the UK’s most successful care franchise.

They not only worked together but became firm friends. “We found out very quickly that our business values were the same but we also realised that we had quite a lot of other things in common,” says Paul, “not least of which was a sense of humour!”

After a few years they each charted new courses but remained in touch. Paul and his wife Lisa started Bluebird Care two years ago and their experience of working in the care sector for many years soon paid off as the business went from strength to strength.

Simon and Paul realised that the Bluebird Care concept would make an ideal franchise so they set about designing a franchise package for a business that would work for both franchisee and franchisor – a real win-win situation.

Paul comments, “Both Simon and I could see the viability of the idea because everyone, sooner or later, is affected by the requirement to provide care to relatives or friends. Care at home is the government’s and usually the individual’s preferred choice and we are now seeing business come from a variety of sectors, not just the traditional market of Social Services.”

Simon adds, “My 15 years’ experience in franchising covers time spent recruiting and supporting franchisees across a range of sectors and also working as a franchise consultant to companies looking to franchise their business.

“Whilst there may be other companies offering similar franchises, no one else can provide the in-depth experience of both franchising and care that Paul and I have acquired over the years.”

The company has been realistic in its franchise network planning, devising a structured recruitment programme to grow at a steady pace. “We don’t sell franchises, we recruit franchisees,” continues Paul. “By developing at a pace we are happy with we ensure franchisees receive the help and support they need to build a successful and profitable business in a huge growth sector.”

Bluebird Care has opportunities throughout the UK and although a number of its exclusive franchise territories have already been reserved the company would like to hear from people in all areas of the country. “The need for care is not area specific,” says Simon. “The market exists everywhere in the country.”

Franchisees do not need to have care experience. The franchise package is designed to appeal to both those with experience and those without. “The sector is now regulated by government, which we welcome as it has ensured a raising of standards across the board,” Simon added.

“Our training programme, which is partly conducted at our head office and partly in the franchisee’s own office, has been developed to provide franchisees with a full understanding of the business and the importance of delivering the highest standards of care. We place great emphasis on care staff training and management.”

Once trading, franchisees enjoy the support that only experience can bring. “We care passionately about our franchisees’ success,” Simon says. “Without them we have no business.”

Franchisees should enjoy working with people and have good communication skills. They should also have an empathy with the need for service at community level and understand the opportunity the care sector provides.

Bluebird Care has been delighted with the response from potential franchisees since its launch as a franchise in May. “Interest has been high, with some exceptional people coming forward to examine an opportunity they believe to be very worthwhile, from a business and community point of view,” says Simon Dalziel.