Bluebird Care: Ahead...and Staying Ahead!

Bluebird Care is a management franchise where franchise owners employ and manage care staff who provide care to people in their own homes. This includes the provision of live-in care services.

The conference, which was held at the prestigious Marriott Hotel and Country Club in the Forest of Arden, Warwickshire, also celebrated achievement and rewarded outstanding effort from Bluebird Care's franchise owners. Bluebird Care Managing Director Paul Tarsey presented awards to acknowledge franchise owners' achievements in building thriving businesses in difficult economic times. Award winners were:

Franchise of the Year
The award for Franchise of the Year was presented to the Bluebird Care Newbury office in recognition of its status as the fastest growing homecare provider in its area. The business operates with a team of 65 fully trained and police checked care workers. Directors and co-owners John Prendergast and Phil Miles accepted the award on behalf of the company. "We are very proud of the quality of service we provide to all our customers," they said. "We would like to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of all our staff. It is their efforts over the last 12 months which are being recognised with this prestigious award."

Spirit of Bluebird
Rugby and South Leicestershire franchise owner Joy Grant earned the Sprit of Bluebird Award, which recognises triumph over adversity, by growing her business despite a number of setbacks during the year. The award is presented in memory of Donald Campbell, who broke eight speed world records in the 1950s and 1960s with both his famous car and speedboat bearing the Bluebird name. Despite her difficulties, Joy managed to increase the number of carers she employs at her Lutterworth office from 10 to 34.

Best Newcomer
Former Garden Centre business manager Ian Barnes, who launched his Shrewsbury franchise in June 2009 picked up the Best Newcomer award in recognition of his achievements in following the Bluebird Care model, delivering on his promises and successfully growing the business from a standing start.

Ian and his Care Manager Jayne Dippie, who has considerable experience within the care sector, are described as an effective team, passionate about delivering excellent care. Together they manage a 19-strong team located south of Shrewsbury.

Paul paid tribute to all franchise owners across England, Scotland and Ireland and said Bluebird Care owed its rapid growth to a variety of factors, including delivering first-class service and customer care, while being a modern, proactive company which was constantly moving ahead.

"We have retained our commitment to good old-fashioned service while at the same time becoming a modern, forward-thinking organisation of the 21st Century - always trying to stay one-step ahead," he said. "We have also continued to invest in staff development and training, which means our customers get the very best service at all times."

Outstanding growth
Bluebird Care expects to achieve its target to have recruited 25 franchise owners in the UK and a further eight in the Republic of Ireland during 2009. The company has achieved 54 per cent growth in its network size in the last 12 months, with its number of offices increased from 41 in November 2008 to 63 in November 2009.

The company now provides around 45,000 care visits a month - a growth of 105 per cent over the same period compared to around 22,000 care visits across the UK 12 months ago.

Franchise Package

A four month start-up programme including both franchise owner initial training and staff training courses
Assistance with office search and senior staff recruitment
Detailed Operations Manual
HP PC loaded with industry leading software, accounts and payroll packages
Training on business software
Hosted email addresses, website and intranet
Complete stationery, business forms pack and promotion materials
Full staff training materials including DVDs and manuals
Initial supply of staff workwear
Membership of professional care association
Full assistance and fees for registration with care authorities
Franchise territory research
Licensing rights to your own defined, exclusive territory

Franchise package:
£29,500 + VAT