A new home care company has sold its first franchise as it tries to change the industry with state-of-the-art support software and systems.

Expertise Homecare, based in Tunbridge Wells, has attracted its first franchisees to provide high-quality care to people in Canterbury and the surrounding area by December.

Ian and Jo Ludlow will run Expertise Homecare Canterbury & District in conjunction with their existing business, estate planning specialists LPA Services.

The couple have been looking to enter the sector for more than a year and were persuaded to launch a franchise after being impressed by the company’s vision.

Mr Ludlow, 61, said: “As soon as we heard about Expertise Homecare’s values and care model we knew that opportunity had arrived.

“Our clients have been telling us for some time that there is a real need for high-quality home care that ensures people can keep their independence while also providing their families with peace of mind that their loved one is being well looked after. With Expertise Homecare, we can now deliver this much-needed service.”

Mrs Ludlow, 57, added: “We were really impressed with Expertise Homecare’s passion for improving home care standards and their industry-leading care model, which uses the latest technology, processes and systems to ensure the highest quality of care is always delivered and that families remain connected.”

“No other care provider places as much emphasis on building trust and providing the highest standards of support – both for us and the people we will care for. We can’t wait to get started.”

Expertise Homecare aims to improve the domiciliary care sector with new technology like its real time notification system.

This sends e-mail updates to relatives, giving them the reassurance that their loved one has received the care they require.

The company is owned and operated by care specialists Harriet Smith and Natalie Richards, who launched the business at the start of September.

They both have had long careers in the home care sector, having worked for both the NHS and private care organisations.

Miss Smith said: “We are delighted that Ian and Jo have joined Expertise Homecare.

“No other care provider places as much emphasis on building trust and providing the highest standards of support – both for us and the people we will care for..." - Expertise Homecare franchisee Jo Ludlow

“Their existing business clients have told them what they want in terms of care – high-quality, reliable care in their own homes – something that in the past has not been readily available.

“We will provide this vital service. Our innovative software and processes have all been developed to reduce our carers’ administrative and form-filling workloads, freeing up more time to devote to caring.”

Miss Richards added: “Ian and Jo’s decision to join Expertise Homecare after searching for a route into the home care industry for more than a year demonstrates our unique proposition, one that provides franchisees with a stable and recession-resilient opportunity to develop a profitable business and also deliver valuable services to their local community.

“We look forward to supporting them ahead of their December launch and helping them to grow the business thereafter.”

Expertise Homecare is hosting two Discovery Days to give potential franchisees more information about the company.

These events will take place in Westminster on Monday, October 13 and in Pembury on Tuesday, November 11.

Details at www.expertisehomecare.com.