Be Caring

What Be Caring does

Be Caring Ltd is the UK's largest 100% employee-owned social care provider, headquartered in Newcastle upon Tyne and operating across the North of England in Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Manchester, Liverpool, Tyneside and North Tyneside. The company delivers domiciliary care, reablement, complex care, palliative care, dementia care, learning disabilities support, and supported living services (including the LIFE sub-brand, Allendale Court, and Augusta and Holmes Dementia Bungalows), supporting more than 1,400 people and delivering over 20,000 hours of care each week through a workforce of approximately 870 colleague-owners.

The underlying technology stack is operational rather than proprietary: standard homecare management systems, Breezy HR for recruitment, internal performance dashboards, and online private-pay intake pages on the company website. There is no in-house software product or AI platform; the company's principal technical differentiator is its block/shift pay operating model, which pays care workers for the full duration of their shift including travel, training and team time, supported by a VOICE employee governance network that gives frontline colleagues direct Board representation.

Be Caring generates revenue primarily through commissioned contracts with local authorities across the North of England, supplemented by NHS integrated care system partnerships (including the CHWS Leeds pilot) and a smaller private-pay channel for self-funding individuals. Contracts are awarded via competitive tender and Be Caring will only bid where its block pay economics are viable. The company also supports Individual Service Fund arrangements for its supported living services. Originally CASA, the business rebranded to Be Caring in January 2019 following a culture transformation under CEO Sharon Lowrie, achieved its first operating surplus in 2019/2020, became debt-free in 2022, and has subsequently been recognised with a CQC Outstanding rating at Leeds (2024) and the first Business Culture Certification globally (2026).

Name

Be Caring

Legal name

Be Caring Ltd

Website

https://becaring.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Be Caring is the UK's largest 100% employee-owned social care provider, delivering domiciliary, reablement, complex, dementia, learning-disabilities and supported living services across the North of England via approximately 870 colleague-owners supporting over 1,400 people weekly under a block/shift pay model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homecare and Supported Living Services

NAICS

Home Health Care Services (62161), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (623312)

SIC

Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Palliative Care (Home-Based) Providers (HLAFAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Small Residential Care Homes (RCFE/Board & Care) (HLADABAF)

Keywords

• Homecare services
• Supported living care
• Domiciliary care
• Learning disability support
• Employee-owned social care

Headquarters

HQ city

Newcastle Upon Tyne

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Local Authority Commissioned Homecare: The primary revenue stream is contracts commissioned by local authorities across the North of England. Be Caring delivers domiciliary care, reablement, complex care, supported living and outreach under contract with local government commissioners. The company only bids for contracts where its block pay model is viable.
2. NHS and Health System Contracts: Be Caring works with NHS partners as part of integrated health and social care systems, including Community Health Wellbeing Service (CHWS) pilots that bring together commissioners, social work teams, NHS partners, and research partners around shared outcomes.
3. Private Pay Clients: The company also serves individuals who self-fund their own care privately, outside of local authority arrangements. A dedicated private care information page is maintained on the company website.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Be Caring delivers personalised homecare and supported living services to adults across the North of England, including domiciliary care, reablement, complex care, dementia care, learning disability and autism support, palliative care, and outreach. Services are delivered by employed care workers across eight regional branches (Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Manchester, Liverpool, Tyneside, Newcastle, North Tyneside), primarily under contracts with local authority commissioners and NHS partners, with a smaller private-pay channel.

Product overview

Be Caring is a homecare and social care provider offering a unified portfolio of services across the North of England. The core offering includes domiciliary care, dementia care, learning disabilities support, palliative care, reablement, complex care, supported living, and outreach services. Specialized sub-brands include LIFE (for adults with learning disabilities and autism), Allendale Court, and Augusta and Holmes Dementia Bungalows. The organization delivers over 20,000 hours of care weekly across Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Manchester, Liverpool, Tyneside, Newcastle, and North Tyneside. Services are delivered through an employee-owned model with a block pay system that compensates care workers for full shift time including travel and training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LIFE: Learning Disabilities and Autism services branch operating in Tyneside area.

Products and services

• Domiciliary Care Traditional homecare services providing personalised support for adults in their own homes, covering daily living activities and personal care needs. Delivered by employed care workers across Be Caring's regional branches.
• Dementia Care Specialist care services for individuals living with dementia, providing tailored support to maintain quality of life and independence, including support in specialist dementia bungalows and in clients' own homes.
• Learning Disabilities Support Dedicated support services for individuals with learning disabilities, promoting independence and community inclusion through personalised care plans and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) approaches.
• Palliative Care Compassionate end-of-life care focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for individuals and their families.
• Reablement Services Short-term focused care aimed at helping individuals regain independence and skills following illness, hospital discharge, or life changes.
• Supported Living

Quantifiable outcome

• 93% client satisfaction rate
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Tingley RunFIT (TRF)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2026Be Caring Leeds sponsors Tingley RunFIT, a community running group founded in 2016 by Natalie Sampson. The group has four qualified Run Leaders and a Run Coach accredited through England Athletics. Be Caring's sponsorship funds additional Run Leader training to expand community capacity. The partnership aligns with Be Caring's vision of supporting local communities to achieve their fullest potential.
• Greater Manchester Good Employment ChartercoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2024Be Caring Manchester became an official supporter of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, a collective commitment from employers across Greater Manchester to improve working conditions and ensure fair pay, good opportunities, and supportive workplace culture.
• Work & Thrive (Newcastle City Council)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Work & Thrive, led by Newcastle City Council, enhances access to quality employment support for Newcastle residents. Be Caring has participated in recruitment events at Newcastle City Library and worked with Work & Thrive to support neurodiverse job seekers and strengthen inclusive employment practices. Care Worker Johnson joined through this partnership.
• 100% Digital Leeds / Leeds Digital Inclusion TeamminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2023Be Caring was the only domiciliary care provider to collaborate with Leeds City Council's Arts in Care Digital Programme (Arts in Care Week). The company supported clients to attend events including a tea dance with live piano music. Partnership aimed at combating loneliness and social isolation among people receiving homecare.
• Homecare Association (HCA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Homecare Association is a national trade body for homecare providers. Be Caring is a member and appears in the HCA's partnership/affiliation listings. The relationship provides sector representation, best practice standards, and industry voice for the homecare sector.
• GMB Trade UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBe Caring works with the GMB union as part of its mission to campaign for better rights and better pay in the social care sector. The company supports the GMB Ethical Home Care Commissioning Charter, advocating for improved employment standards across the sector.
• Skills for CareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSkills for Care is a national body for adult social care workforce development. Be Caring's affiliation signals commitment to workforce training standards and professional development in social care.
• Health AssuredminorOthersHealth Assured provides Be Caring's Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), offering confidential wellbeing support to colleagues. The partnership was strengthened in 2025 when survey feedback led to reinstating and strengthening the mental health support programme.
• Employee Ownership Association (EOA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBe Caring is a Trustee Member of the EOA and participates in UK Employee Ownership Day (#EOday). The EOA is the body representing and promoting employee-owned businesses in the UK. Be Caring leverages this membership for sector leadership and employee ownership best practice.
• Barnardo's JOBS ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Barnardo's JOBS project in Manchester creates job opportunities for young people who have experienced long-term unemployment. The 8-week mentorship programme includes guaranteed job interviews, professional training, Level 1 Care Certificate qualifications, and mentoring support. Seven candidates completed training and joined Be Caring. Values-based recruitment approach aligns perfectly with the programme's objectives.
• Winnovation TrainingcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWinnovation Training provides high-quality training for the Health, Social, and Early Years sectors. Be Caring participates in Winnovation's Moving into Care courses and Learning Disabilities bootcamps, facilitating 'Meet the Employer' sessions and guaranteeing interviews for candidates. Care Worker Peace joined through this pathway.
• Leeds Adults & Health / Leeds City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBe Caring delivers the CHWS Leeds pilot in partnership with Leeds Adults & Health Commissioning team and Leeds City Council. The pilot prioritises time, continuity and outcomes. Leeds City Council also funds community activities (e.g., Bramley Life Drawing class for clients) and supported Be Caring's Arts in Care events.
• York ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerYork Consulting serves as research partner for the CHWS Leeds pilot, providing independent evaluation of outcomes and impact of the block pay model on care quality and continuity.
• NHS PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBe Caring collaborates with NHS partners across the North of England as part of integrated care systems. NHS partners are involved in the CHWS Leeds pilot alongside social work teams, commissioners, and research partners. NHS involvement reflects the growing integration of homecare with health system outcomes.
• SpringfieldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpringfield is referenced as a partner in the CHWS Leeds pilot celebration, collaborating with Be Caring and other system partners around the Community Health Wellbeing Service model.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Home Instead Senior Care: One of the largest UK homecare franchise networks providing domiciliary care, dementia care, and personal care to elderly clients in their homes. Most directly comparable on core service mix (domiciliary + dementia + reablement) and commissioner relationships, though operating via a franchise model versus Be Caring's employee-ownership.
• Bluebird Care: UK homecare franchise providing personal care, dementia care, and reablement to customers in their own homes, with strong local authority commissioning presence. Directly comparable on service portfolio and customer base, including elderly and disabled adults receiving care at home.
• Caremark: National homecare franchise providing domiciliary care, personal care, and supported living services across the UK, with strong local authority commissioning relationships. Comparable on core homecare services, supported living, and commissioner-led GTM.
• Helping Hands Home Care: Established UK homecare provider offering domiciliary, dementia, and complex care services, including both local authority and private-pay clients. Comparable on full service portfolio across homecare segments and mix of commissioned/private revenue.
• Visiting Angels: UK homecare franchise delivering personal care, dementia care, and respite services to elderly clients in their homes. Directly comparable on caregiver-led homecare model and elderly focus, though primarily private-pay versus Be Caring's commissioned mix.

Broad incumbents

• Mears Group: Large UK provider of homecare, supported living, and complex care services, plus broader housing and maintenance services. Comparable on homecare and supported living, and specifically relevant given Be Caring TUPE'd colleagues from Mears in 2017.
• HC-One: UK's largest independent care home operator providing residential, nursing, and dementia care across a large national portfolio. Overlaps with Be Caring on dementia care and supported living but operates in residential facilities rather than primarily homecare, making it a broader market incumbent.
• City & County Healthcare Group: Large UK provider of homecare, supported living, and complex care services across multiple brands (including Total Community Care, Advantage Healthcare). Comparable on homecare and supported living services with commissioner relationships, at a larger multi-brand scale than Be Caring.
• Allied Healthcare: Established UK homecare provider offering personal care, complex care, and supported living across multiple regions. Comparable on homecare and supported living services delivered through local authority commissioning, though operating at a larger legacy scale.

Emerging players

• Cera Care: Tech-enabled UK homecare provider combining AI-assisted rostering with caregiver services for elderly clients, including live-in care. Competes in same core homecare market but differentiates via technology platform, positioning as a digitally-native challenger to traditional providers like Be Caring.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Be Caring