Small adult day care centre

Families paying privately, local council adult social care (through personal budgets or contracts) and sometimes charities or NHS-funded packages.

A daily or half-day fee per person, plus extras such as transport or meals. Income depends on how many places you fill each day, so steady referrals matter.

• Patience and warmth with older or vulnerable people
• Organising staff rotas and activities
• Care or support work experience
• Basic book-keeping

• If you give personal care, check registration with CQC (England), Care Inspectorate (Scotland), Care Inspectorate Wales or RQIA (Northern Ireland)
• Enhanced DBS checks, safeguarding policies and staff training
• Public liability and employer's liability insurance, plus cover for any minibus or transport
• Food business registration with your local council, fire risk assessment and accessibility of the building
• Council fees can be slow to arrive and rates may be tight, so check your numbers and cash flow carefully

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on your premises, staffing, equipment and insurance. Check cover for public liability, employer's liability and any minibus or transport you plan to use.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £6,000 to £30,000, depending on the number of places and who pays. Council fees can be slow to arrive and rates may be tight, so check your numbers and cash flow. Estimates suggest at least about 30 hours a week.

If you give personal care, check registration with CQC (England), Care Inspectorate (Scotland), Care Inspectorate Wales or RQIA (Northern Ireland). Also check enhanced DBS checks, safeguarding, food business registration, fire risk assessment and building accessibility.