Through the hardest year to a stronger, more resilient business
How CAS Care Solutions, a New Forest provider of complex care, restructured and returned to profit, won an industry award and launched a new training company during the Big Ambitions Programme.
Care business restructured, with clear financial modelling in place for the first time
Recognising the quality of care delivered during a challenging period
CAS Training Solutions incorporated as a standalone business
“This programme has saved us, not once, but twice. And I mean saved us.” Sara Phillips, Joint Managing Director, CAS Care Solutions
“Just knowing that there are people there… that is extraordinary”
CAS Care Solutions is a New Forest-based provider of complex care packages, working alongside NHS commissioners and social services to support some of the most vulnerable members of the community. It is led by joint managing directors Sara Phillips and Clarice Barrett, whose commitment to compassionate, attentive support defines everything they do.
Sara and Clarice describe their year on the programme as the hardest of their professional lives, and one of the most important.
“This programme has saved us, not once, but twice. And I mean saved us. Just knowing that there are people there, that they will pull out all the stops and help you through it, that is extraordinary.”
Sara Phillips, Joint Managing Director, CAS Care SolutionsWider pressures on the care sector arrived all at once
Sara and Clarice joined the programme with a clear ambition: to grow CAS Care Solutions and formalise a training offer that had been developing alongside it.
Early in the programme, wider pressures on the care sector began to hit the business hard. Rising employer costs, delays in NHS payments and outside advice that proved to be poorly judged created a period of acute difficulty. By April, the conversation with their mentor was very different from the one anyone had planned.
CAS Care Solutions
Directors: Sara Phillips and Clarice Barrett
Business: Complex care packages, working with NHS commissioners and social services, plus care training
Location: New Forest
Support: Big Ambitions Programme, with mentor James Mackrill and specialist finance and HR support
A rapid response, then the foundations for recovery and growth
The programme adapted quickly. Mentoring sessions shifted from growth planning to stabilising the business, then back to growth once the foundations were secure.
A rapid financial review
CAS Care was connected with a specialist business consultant for a rapid financial review, followed by dedicated finance support to build a clear picture of performance across every contract.
Restructuring for resilience
Working sessions focused on the true position of each contract, where pricing needed to change and how to streamline the team structure to match the business’s actual capacity. These were difficult decisions, made with clear information.
Freeing up leadership time
A practical delegation framework helped both directors identify low-value tasks and pass them to the right people, freeing up meaningful leadership time.
Launching CAS Training Solutions
With the care business stabilised, the training venture was incorporated as a standalone company. Its social media presence was reviewed, a sales outreach approach was set up and a commission-based sales agent was appointed to build the pipeline.
When things get difficult, the right support at the right time changes everything.
Digital Islands connects independent business owners with mentors and specialists who will pull out the stops when it matters most.
Financial visibility, a stronger structure and two businesses with room to grow
By May the care business had returned to profit, and Sara and Clarice had clear financial modelling in place for the first time, with full visibility of each contract’s contribution. New complex care contracts were won during the programme, and CAS Training Solutions secured early client wins and leads from the New Forest Business Show.
An industry award, in the toughest year
During one of the most difficult periods in its history, CAS Care Solutions won an industry award, a timely acknowledgement of the quality of care the team kept delivering throughout.
Financial clarity
Contract-by-contract profitability tracking and clear financial modelling.
A more resilient structure
A simplified operating structure and a delegation framework that frees up leadership time.
A second business
CAS Training Solutions incorporated, with a sales agent, refreshed social media and early client wins.
Facing a difficult period in your business?
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This Big Ambitions programme was funded by New Forest District Council and delivered by Digital Islands Business Services Limited. The Big Ambitions membership uses the same delivery model.