To think you can buy a business without having much prior knowledge about how it works

[Wetbankhols]

DH says you can't, but if the business is already running, surely you can?

Thanks :)

The issue with the NVQ is it seems I would need to pay for it - I thought (naively) you could just do them at a local college but it seems not.

Shadowing is a great suggestion :)

Okay, so how about training grants/bursaries - is anything like that available in your area which your circumstances would entitle you to?

Also, while I realize it's important to choose what's best to spend your money on, didn't you say the job involved a franchise? If so, I'd imagine a significant capital outlay would be needed, which is perhaps another thing to consider ...

There isn't anything that my circumstances would entitle me too

Business will cost around £90,000 which I do have but need to sell some stuff first, I guess I could use that to fund an NVQ if it's necessary?

Being extremely good at providing care and being extremely good at managing and directing others to provide care are two different things.

^This

IMHO an NVQ level 3 is the absolute minimum required- there is good reason why management positions are rarely advertised for people without their level 5.

Well, yes, but I am not actually proposing to be the manager but the owner, which is different.

Sorry for gaps - have been doing other things (involving wine) - however, referring back to my earlier comments. To run a kebab shop, you would absolutely need a passion to serve good food etc to run it well. There is nothing 'special' about the social care sector in that regard - even though mumsnet tends to beatify anything involving healthcare.

My final piece of advice is to know your unknowns. ie, - you don't need to know employment law thoroughly. What you do need to know is
a) that it exists.
b) that it is worth paying for proper advice
similarly
c) Accounts / payroll can be tricky
d) Again it is worth paying for proper advice.

I wish you well in your endevours - there is no intrinsic reason why you shouldn't succeed if you go into it with your wits about you and your eyes' open.

Think about trading via a limited company, and try not to offer personal guarantees and bet the house on the venture.

Oh dear. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Your comments to mummymeister prove that this a bad, very bad, idea. She was giving you an enormous amount of help & information (and offering you more) and you threw it in her face. How very rude & how very silly. Your apology wasn't an apology either, before you say 'I did apologise'.

You might as well take the £90k and go on a world trip - as least you'll get some good memories out that.

Did you find something. I have just put my business up for sale . Have a look it might be something of interest if you live in kent

wondered why this has randomly been bumped. I am nowhere near Kent, Karen but all the best in selling

Thank you