Care Homes
Taking care of your care home business
Few firms share the breadth and depth of our care homes team. Whether your care home operates in the charitable or non-charitable sector, our extensive experience means we can help you make the most of your resources and manage your staff.
Charity services
Charitable sector care homes are typically faced with complexity relating to public benefit and fee charging – as well as multiple governance and constitutional issues. Special or restricted trusts that may lead to permanent endowment can be especially intricate. Our work typically sees us advising trustees on their powers to deal with their property and assets, as well as restructuring to better meet client needs.
Commercial services
We frequently help proprietors to acquire and dispose of care home businesses, as well as advise on banking, refinancing, restructuring and reorganisation. We also assist with day-to-day commercial issues such as funding agreements, procurement and issues surrounding the withdrawal of funding.
Dispute resolution
Breakdowns in relationships involving contracted services, suppliers and tenants are, sadly, increasingly common. Should this happen to you, we can help clarify your rights and obligations.
Employment
In a sector where many employees have atypical working arrangements, the issues can be complex as well as sensitive. Our free monthly updates on employment legislation can help you keep up to speed. Bespoke training sessions on safeguarding, disciplinary and grievance procedures and equal opportunities are also available. Ask us about insurance-backed fixed monthly retainers that cover you in the event of a Tribunal claim.
Legacies
We’re market leaders in advising charities on contentious trust and probate matters and legacy administration. As we also understand the reputational sensitivities for your care home should you face a claim by a former resident’s family, we can help manage reputational issues as well as the legal risks. Other areas we frequently cover include challenges to the validity of a will, Inheritance Act claims, dealing with a problematic executor, lifetime gifts and statutory wills.
Mental capacity services
Mental capacity issues are a daily fact of life for care homes. We can assist you, your residents and their families and professional advisers by advising on powers of attorney, deputyships, advance decisions and Court of Protection matters. Should a resident have no family available, we can assist in managing their affairs, as well as advise attorneys and deputies.
Property services
Reputation and goodwill are essential in your care home business, so your properties, alongside your staff, are key to your operations. We can advise on acquisitions, letting (whether as Landlord or Tenant) and disposal. If refinancing is needed, we work closely with our property and commercial departments to ensure as smooth a process as possible.