How do you become a micro provider?
The 10 essentials to getting started — explained in plain English, one friendly step at a time. There's no perfect order; start wherever feels right for you.
Please note: This page is general information to help you get started, not legal, tax, insurance or regulatory advice. What applies to you depends on your circumstances, and the rules change — check with the relevant authority or a qualified professional before you act on it.
DBS Check
There’s no single qualification you must hold to start as a self-employed carer, but holding a valid DBS certificate is beneficial — it reassures your clients, the local authorities, and anyone using your services. Some roles and settings do carry their own requirements, so check what applies to the work you plan to do.
Insurance
Do I need insurance? There’s no single legal requirement, but insurance is widely considered essential in care work — it protects both you and your clients if something goes wrong, and clients or local authorities may ask to see it.
Appropriate Training
Training matters for certain tasks. Insurance policies covering medication support typically require you to have had appropriate training for the task — check your own policy wording, as cover varies between insurers.
Register with HMRC
This doesn’t need to be done immediately, but don’t leave it past the deadline: HMRC ask you to register by 5th October following the tax year in which you became self-employed. You’ll then complete a Self Assessment return each year. HMRC’s Making Tax Digital for Income Tax — keeping digital records and sending a quarterly summary instead — is being phased in by qualifying income: over £50,000 from April 2026, over £30,000 from April 2027, and over £20,000 from April 2028. From launch, keeping your income and expenses in MicroProviders Care will help you stay ready for both.
Decide on Your Hourly Rate
To start with, research your local market area and see what others are charging. Get in touch with the Local Authorities and ask them what the direct payment rate is — some Local Authorities have different rates for direct payments.
Find and Meet Clients
Get yourself out there, get yourself known, and build a good reputation. Talk to Social Workers, Local Authorities, your neighbourhood, people in your area who are already receiving care, people who are looking for care, friends and family.
Personal Branding
When putting yourself out there, be the expert in your field, be professional, and create a professional email address — small, consistent touches build trust quickly.
Get Yourself a Mentor
Starting your own business is not easy and it takes time to build up. You will need a network of support from family, friends, and others in business — but also someone who has been on the journey you are starting.
Take Care of Yourself
This is hugely important. It can be easy to fall into a trap of working all the time, whether that be with clients or on your business — but you must schedule time for yourself to relax and do what you enjoy.
Enjoy It
If you're not going to enjoy it, there's no point in doing it. Having passion in the work you do will shine through in the care you provide — and this will be recognised by the people you talk to and work with, going a long way towards your business succeeding.
Ready to set up? See what membership will include →Frequently asked
Do I legally need a DBS check? ⌄
There’s no blanket legal requirement for a self-employed carer to hold one, but it’s strongly recommended, and clients or local authorities may ask to see one. Requirements differ depending on the work and the setting, so check what applies to you before you start.
How much does it cost to get started? ⌄
Your main costs are a DBS check, insurance and any training you need — check current prices, as they vary. MicroProviders Care itself is planned at £4.99 a month from launch, with no contract and no setup fee.
Do I need qualifications? ⌄
No formal qualification is required to start, but appropriate training is needed for certain tasks — administering medication, for example. Insurers typically require relevant training before they will cover those tasks, so check your policy wording.
When do I need to register with HMRC? ⌄
HMRC ask you to register by 5th October following the tax year in which you became self-employed. It doesn’t need doing the moment you start, but don’t leave it past that deadline — check the current position on GOV.UK.
Do I file Self Assessment or Making Tax Digital? ⌄
Many micro providers earn below the Making Tax Digital thresholds, which means one Self Assessment return a year. MTD for Income Tax — keeping digital records and sending HMRC a quarterly summary — is being phased in by qualifying income: over £50,000 from April 2026, over £30,000 from April 2027, and over £20,000 from April 2028. From launch, keeping your income and expenses in MicroProviders Care will give you a running estimate for Self Assessment and switch to quarterly MTD updates if your income passes the threshold. Thresholds and dates change, so check your own position with HMRC or an accountant.
Am I definitely self-employed? ⌄
Not automatically — it depends on how you actually work, not on what you call yourself. If one client sets your hours, directs how you do the work and provides your equipment, HMRC may treat that as employment rather than self-employment, and a client who engages you directly may have obligations as an employer. It’s worth checking HMRC’s employment status guidance, and taking advice if you’re unsure, before you agree terms with a client.
Can MicroProviders Care help with policies? ⌄
From launch, your membership will include ready-to-use templates for safeguarding, confidentiality and complaints procedures, personalised with your business details. They’re a starting point to adapt to your service — having a policy is not the same as meeting every obligation, and responsibility for your practice stays with you.
Got the basics? Let's get you organised.
Bring your clients, visits, invoices and policies into one tidy place — free for 30 days from launch, then £4.99 a month.
View the membership