Starting New Business as Home/Help Companion & Pet Carer Insurance/Licensing Advice

LavenderRose · 12 April 2014 at 2:00PM

Hi Everyone,

I am setting up a new business offering Home Help/Companion & Pet Care Services. I will not be offering either Personal Care for the humans, or boarding for the pets.

Can you advise as to what sort of insurance cover I will need [can I get one that will offer combined for both sides of the job?], and will I require a licence from the local councils in the areas I will be operating within. [ie: Devon & Cornwall]. Is there anything else I should be thinking about.

I have experience of looking after both the elderly and dogs & cats, and running a family home, so this part of the business does not worry me, it's just the actual logistics.

I need to have enough money to survive while I acquire a Customer base, [I have been told there is plenty of need in the area, but this needs to translate to clients] is there a Direct Selling opportunity that could be quantified in the amount of hours and income, that would be satisfactory to allow me to get WTC. I don't want to stay on JSA, as the amount of time I would have to Job Search fruitlessly, would not leave enough time to put to setting up the business, which I really want to do, not only for the money, but because I really feel that there is a need for it in this area.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.