Cambridgeshire County Council is supporting a growing network of Care Micro Enterprises (CMEs) — small, independent care and support providers based in local communities across the county. This new approach aims to give people more choice, flexibility and personal connection when accessing care close to home.
See their website for more details.
What are Care Micro Enterprises?
Care Micro Enterprises are small care providers (often sole traders or small teams) offering personalised care and support services to adults who want to stay independent at home. They can support people with a wide range of needs — from everyday tasks around the home to more tailored care you might otherwise get from larger home-care providers.
These enterprises can include services such as:
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Personal care (help with washing, dressing and daily routines)
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Holistic home support (cleaning, cooking, errands, gardening)
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Companionship and social activities
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Respite care for family carers
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Assistance with prescriptions, shopping and appointments
Because CMEs are locally based, they can build longer-term relationships with the people they support, often tailoring their services to individual needs in ways larger agencies cannot.
A Community-Focused Approach
The initiative is part of the council’s Care Together programme, developed with local partners to expand care options and help people remain in their own homes for longer. The council recognised that people value flexibility, continuity and trust in their care relationships — and that small local providers can often deliver this more effectively.
Although many CMEs aren’t registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), they still commit to key quality and safety checks, including identity verification, DBS checks, training in safeguarding and basic first aid. This helps ensure that services are both professional and person-centred.
Finding and Using a Care Micro Enterprise
To help people find support close to home, the council maintains a Care Micro Enterprise directory listing providers who are currently active — including contact details and areas served. Individuals or families can contact a provider directly to discuss their needs and agree arrangements that suit them.
You can choose to pay for support privately (for example, if you are a self-funding client), or in some cases via a Direct Payment following an eligibility assessment by adult social care.
Why It Matters
This new model gives local people more control over how they receive support, encourages skilled local providers to grow their own small care businesses, and helps enrich care options throughout Cambridgeshire — which can be especially important for older people, adults with disabilities, and those who value personalised support in familiar surroundings.
For more information and to view the full directory of Care Micro Enterprises, visit the Cambridgeshire County Council webpage on Help at Home: Care Micro Enterprises.
