Bluebird Care

The company was founded in 2004 by Paul and Lisa Tarsey initially as a local health care provider in Petersfield, but always with the intention of expanding via franchising.^[1] The state of the market allowed rapid expansion up to around 2010 with at times a new franchise being established every 14 days.^[1] The name "Bluebird" derived from the Tansey family connection to the Campbell family and their Bluebird record-breaking vehicles.^[2]

In 2013 it was bought out by Florida-based Interim Healthcare, an enterprise that operated over seven countries and claimed "combined network sales of $850m" by 2015.^[3]

In June 2020 it acquired the Irish master franchise business from Clemac Home Care Services.^[4]

As of 2019^[update] managing director Yvonne Hignell says the company has just over 200 active franchises (in the United Kingdom) and a further 26 in the Republic of Ireland.^[1]

In March 2022 care assistants employed by the offices in Exeter, Exmouth, East Devon, and North & West Devon were given a 17% pay rise because of their “heroic efforts” throughout the pandemic and in hopes to attract more care assistants into the industry.^[5]

The Winchester, Eastleigh & Romsey branch got a second five-star Outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission in May 2022- one of only three care providers in the country to do so.^[6]

Carolyn and Keith Dailey started with Bluebird Care Newmarket & Fenland and have since acquired further franchises in Cambridge and Bedford.^[7]

• Private healthcare in the United Kingdom