The 10 steps to becoming a micro provider

Becoming a self-employed micro provider sounds daunting — DBS checks, insurance, HMRC, policies — but broken into steps it's genuinely manageable. Here's the journey in plain English.

Get the foundations right

Start with the things clients and local authorities will ask about first: an enhanced DBS check, appropriate training (moving and handling, safeguarding, medication if you'll administer it), and self-employed carers' insurance. None of these are complicated to arrange, and together they're what turns "I'd like to care" into "I'm ready to care".

It's also worth checking early whether your planned service needs CQC registration — companionship and practical support often fall outside it, but personal care arranged in certain ways can be in scope, and providing a regulated activity without registering is a criminal offence. Our CQC walkthrough takes you through the questions CQC uses, but only CQC can confirm your position, so contact them before you start.

Make it official

Register as self-employed with HMRC (you have until 5 October after the end of your first tax year, but sooner is simpler). Put basic policies in place — safeguarding, confidentiality, lone working — and use a written care agreement with every client so rates, hours and expectations are clear from the start.

Find your first clients

Most micro providers find early clients close to home: word of mouth, community groups, social prescribers, and local authority micro-provider networks. Set your rate with local research (we've written a whole article on that), and remember that reliability and warmth are your best marketing.

Then enjoy it

The final step is the one that matters most: enjoy the work. The care you give is better when you love what you do — and the full version of this journey, with detail on every step, is in our free Getting Started guide.