In an industry built on compassion, you’d think collaboration would come naturally. But the reality is, many care providers feel like they’re working in a race—competing for contracts, clients, carers, and funding. The result? Burnout, fragmented services, and missed opportunities for impact.

At Big Sister, we believe the care sector is at a turning point—and collaboration is the key to its future.

In this blog, we’ll explore why care businesses need to shift away from a competitive mindset and towards shared success. We’ll also link to our United in Care YouTube playlist on @bigsistercare, where you can hear from providers around the world who are already making this shift—and seeing the benefits.

The Competitive Trap

For decades, care providers have operated in silos, often viewing neighbouring providers as threats rather than allies. And while competition can drive quality, in care, it often creates:

Duplication of effort
Unnecessary rivalry between businesses
Fear of sharing knowledge or best practice
Isolation among leaders
A transactional rather than transformational mindset

This “every man for himself” approach limits the very thing the sector is meant to deliver—compassionate, connected care.

Collaboration Changes Everything

Shifting from competition to collaboration doesn’t mean sacrificing your ambition or your business. Quite the opposite. It means recognising that shared success creates stronger, more resilient services—for your clients, your team, and your business.

Here’s how collaboration changes the game:

Joint Bidding Opportunities

Instead of going it alone, collaborating with another provider on a bid can increase your capacity, geographic coverage, and expertise—helping you win contracts that were previously out of reach.

Referral Networks That Work Both Ways

Strong relationships with local providers open up natural referral channels. Maybe you don’t offer a specific service, but someone in your network does. That helps the client and keeps business flowing across the sector.

Shared Staff Resources

In today’s recruitment crisis, imagine being able to cross-utilise bank staff, share training sessions, or even jointly fund wellbeing initiatives. It’s possible—if you collaborate.

Peer Support That Actually Understands You

Founders supporting founders. Care leaders sharing what’s worked—and what hasn’t. This is what builds confidence, resilience, and long-term growth.

Real Talk: Why Don’t More Providers Collaborate?

The truth? Fear.

Fear of losing business.
Fear of someone copying your model.
Fear of being judged.
Fear of being vulnerable about your challenges.

But these fears keep you stuck. And in today’s care environment, staying stuck means falling behind.

The good news is: once you take that first step toward collaboration, everything shifts.

United in Care: Where Collaboration Starts

Big Sister’s United in Care initiative exists to help care providers move from isolation to connection.

We’ve created:

A YouTube Playlist with real stories from care providers building collaborative models of success.
Monthly roundtables and learning events to bring providers together.
A growing network of care founders sharing tools, insights, and encouragement.

Because the care sector doesn’t need more silos. It needs more circles.

How to Start Collaborating Today

You don’t need a massive partnership agreement to begin. Start small:

Reach Out

Message another provider you respect. Say hello. Ask about how they’re doing and share what you’re working on. This isn’t a pitch—it’s a connection.

Share Resources

Got a great training video? A helpful policy? A successful marketing idea? Share it. What you give will come back to you in ways you can’t predict.

Join a Community

Whether it’s through Big Sister or a local network, join a space where collaboration is encouraged—and accountability is built in.

Shift Your Mindset

From: “How do I get ahead of them?”
To: “How do we move forward together?”

What Commissioners and Clients Want in 2025

Gone are the days when being a good solo provider was enough. Buyers now want to see:

Multi-agency collaboration
Community partnerships
Shared impact models
Joint bids and consortiums
Evidence of social value beyond your business

If you’re not collaborating, you’re not as competitive as you think.

A Note from Jill, Founder of Big Sister

“I’ve spent the past decade supporting hundreds of care businesses. The ones that rise the fastest and last the longest aren’t always the ones with the biggest budgets. They’re the ones who build strong relationships, share ideas freely, and care enough to collaborate.
That’s what United in Care is all about.”
— Jill Hudson

This Is the Shift Care Needs Now

We’ve tried the solo route. We’ve tried competing for crumbs. It hasn’t worked.

But when care businesses come together, we raise the standard. We make work more joyful. We serve clients more completely. We attract funding, contracts, and talent that want to be part of something bigger.

Let’s stop seeing each other as competition—and start seeing each other as allies.