Bluebird Care is a franchise and brand providing home care services to the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. The company has just over 200 franchises covering areas in the United Kingdom and a further 26 in the Republic of Ireland.
History
The company was founded in 2004 by Paul and Lisa Tarsey initially as a local health care provider in Petersfield, but always with the intention of expanding via franchising. The state of the market allowed rapid expansion up to around 2010 with at times a new franchise being established every 14 days. The name "Bluebird" derived from the Tansey family connection to the Campbell family and their Bluebird record-breaking vehicles.
In 2013 it was bought out by Florida-based Interim Healthcare, an enterprise that operated over seven countries and claimed "combined network sales of $850m" by 2015.
In June 2020 it acquired the Irish master franchise business from Clemac Home Care Services.[1]
As of 2019 managing director Yvonne Hignell says the company has just over 200 active franchises (in the United Kingdom) and a further 26 in the Republic of Ireland.
In March 2022 care assistants employed by the offices in Exeter, Exmouth, East Devon, and North & West Devon were given a 17% pay rise because of their “heroic efforts” throughout the pandemic and in hopes to attract more care assistants into the industry.[2]
The Winchester, Eastleigh & Romsey branch got a second five-star Outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission in May 2022- one of only three care providers in the country to do so.[3]
Carolyn and Keith Dailey started with Bluebird Care Newmarket & Fenland and have since acquired further franchises in Cambridge and Bedford.[4]
See also
- Private healthcare in the United Kingdom
External links
References
- Bluebird Care acquires Irish master franchise following legal settlement Homecare Insight, 18 June 2020, retrieved 1 February 2021^
- Bluebird Care staff awarded 17% pay rise for 'heroic efforts' Home Care Insight, 3 March 2022, retrieved 22 April 2022^
- Bluebird Care branch celebrates coveted second five-star Outstanding rating Home Care Insight, 17 May 2022, retrieved 30 June 2022^
- Home care provider prepares for expansion under new ownership Home Care Insight, 9 November 2022, retrieved 10 November 2022^