For domiciliary care providers, growth can sometimes feel limited — especially when attention is focused on improving CQC ratings and maintaining day-to-day delivery.
Many providers focus solely on traditional personal care, without realising that there are additional services they may already be capable of delivering — some of which sit entirely outside CQC regulation.
While personal care and clinical activities are regulated, other forms of support that contribute to independence and wellbeing may not be. Understanding this distinction can open up new opportunities for providers who are ready to think more broadly about their service offer.
Services You May Already Be Able to Deliver
The following services do not typically require CQC registration — provided that personal care is not included as part of the delivery.
Companionship Providing social interaction, conversation, and emotional support to reduce loneliness and isolation. For many providers, this is a natural extension of existing care relationships.
Cleaning and Domestic Support Supporting clients with cleaning, laundry, and general household tasks to maintain a safe and comfortable living environment.
Meal Preparation and Nutrition Support Assisting clients with preparing meals, encouraging regular eating, and supporting basic nutritional needs where required.
Appointment Support and Escorting Helping clients attend GP, hospital, or community appointments — including accompanying them, waiting with them, and supporting communication where needed.
Shopping and Errand Support Assisting clients with grocery shopping, collecting prescriptions, and completing day-to-day errands to support independent living.
Transport and Travel Support Supporting clients with travel to appointments, shopping, or community activities. This may include accompanying clients on public transport or, where appropriate, using provider vehicles — subject to appropriate insurance, driver checks, and internal policies.
Respite and Sitting Services Providing short-term support to allow family members or primary carers to take a break, whether for a few hours or longer periods.
Floating Support, Outreach, and Navigation Support Supporting individuals to manage day-to-day life, access services, maintain tenancies, attend appointments, and build independence. This may include help with housing, benefits, community access, form-filling, signposting, and liaising with professionals.
Floating support is particularly relevant for supported living, mental health, homelessness, learning disability, and young people’s services — but some domiciliary care providers may already have transferable skills and experience to deliver this type of support.
An Important Caveat
The services listed above sit outside CQC regulation only where personal care is not included as part of the delivery. If personal care forms any part of the service, CQC registration requirements apply. If you are unsure whether a specific activity falls within regulated activity, we would always recommend seeking clarification before proceeding.
Why This Matters
These services are often in demand and can sit alongside existing domiciliary care provision. They can also form part of a broader service offer when engaging with local authorities, the NHS, or private clients.
For providers, this creates a genuine opportunity to think more broadly about what they are already capable of delivering — and how that capability can be positioned when approaching commissioners.
Rather than focusing only on traditional personal care, there may be real scope to deliver additional forms of support that meet community needs and generate income — without requiring additional regulatory registration.
How BidElevate Can Help
Understanding what you can deliver is only part of the picture. Translating that service offer into a clear, compliant tender submission — one that meets the specific requirements of a local authority or NHS commissioner — is where many providers need support.
BidElevate works with domiciliary care providers to identify the right opportunities, assess eligibility, and manage the full application process.
If you are considering expanding your service offer or exploring public sector commissioning for the first time, book a free discovery call. We will give you an honest picture of what is available and whether now is the right time to apply.
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