Scotland is ripe for the expansion of Walfinch home care services, according to Bunmi Ganiyu, Managing Director of the Walfinch office in Edinburgh South.
 
“I am keen to offer a wider range of services – particularly live-in care - in a broader range of locations,” says Bunmi, whose Walfinch home care service, started in June 2021, was recently rated as 'Good' by Scotland's Care Inspectorate.
 
“There is scope for steady and sustainable expansion,” says Bunmi.
 
Walfinch is looking to open more offices in Scotland, particularly in Glasgow but also in other areas such as Dundee, Dumfries and Aberdeen. Walfinch's experienced national business team welcomes enquiries from people considering starting their own home care business with the support of a Walfinch franchise.
 
“In Scotland we are not so constrained by the carer recruitment problems that are common in England,” says Bunmi. “At Walfinch, we look for carers who you would be happy to have supporting your own mum – and in this city we have a steady supply of them.”
 
Care in Scotland
 
Unlike in England, personal and nursing care are fully funded by the state for anyone aged18 and over who passes a local council needs assessment. That includes personal care, help with eating, preparation of specialist diets, help with moving around their home and simple medical treatments, such as changing dressings. Funding is available for care costing up to £248.70 a week (2024-25 rates), which is paid direct to the care provider by the state.
 
Financial assistance may also be available to clients for help with laundry, shopping, or support such as attending medical appointments or social events, provided a financial assessment shows that the client is entitled to this.
 
Bunmi provides both state-funded and private care, and uses income from private care to cross-subsidise state-funded care. Private care in Scotland costs on average £23-£34 an hour.
 
Marketing benefits
 
She says: “It is not uncommon for clients who receive free basic personal care to extend it by paying for extra services privately. This means that our personal care clients know us when they are looking for extra services. It makes marketing Walfinch’s services easier.”
 
Bunmi says: “We need to grow sustainably because it is important that we maintain a balance between carers and clients. We don't want the care team to be overstretched or under-employed, because it's not good for the business or for our clients,” she says.
 
“We are looking forward to expanding our services, our team and the areas that we serve here in Scotland.”