1. I’ve heard something about PRIME-ACT® – what is this?
Great question! PRIME-ACT® is our flagship framework, designed to help you create, implement, and evolve high-quality policies that are both practical and effective. Whether you're an individual looking to build policy expertise (as a Certified Practitioner) or a service wanting to showcase your commitment to compliance and operational excellence (as an Approved Provider), PRIME-ACT® is your route to structure, clarity, and confidence. It’s not just about ticking boxes—it’s about transforming how policies support your mission, staff, and service users. We offer certified training for individuals and a recognisable quality mark for services who embed the framework across their organisation.

2. Why does my small business even need formal policies and procedures?
Many smaller independent health and social care providers assume formal policies are only for large organisations. But having clear, personalised policies helps protect you, your staff, and those you support. Properly written procedures help you meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and streamline operations. Whether it’s health and safety, HR, safeguarding, or data protection, these documents help avoid costly mistakes and ensure quality care.

3. I'm a sole trader—do I really need policies?
Absolutely. Even as a sole trader working in Health and Social Care, clear policies help demonstrate professionalism, ensure legal compliance, and support safe, effective service delivery. For example, policies around data protection, lone working, or complaints handling can be essential for safeguarding your business and the people you support.

4. What policies do you help with?
As a generalist service we can help with a wide range of policies. Some of the most common areas include Operational, Health and Safety, Data Protection and GDPR, HR, Legal, Financial, and Website policies. If it needs writing or reviewing, we can help.

5. What if I’m not sure what policies my service needs?
That’s exactly where we can help. During an initial consultation, we’ll ask the right questions to understand your service model, delivery risks, and statutory obligations. Then we help you build a prioritised policy plan that reflects your needs and your stage of growth.

6. Can’t I just use free templates I find online?
Templates can be a helpful starting point, but they are rarely enough on their own. Most are too generic to cover the nuances of regulated care or your particular service model. Worse still, they might leave gaps that lead to compliance risks. With SH Policy Support, you gain confidence, clarity, and policies that truly reflect your values, service structure, and responsibilities.

7. How can SH Policy Support help my service if I already have policies in place?
That’s a great start! However, even existing policies need regular reviewing to stay aligned with current legislation, best practice, and evolving service needs. We offer policy audits and refreshes, helping you simplify and enhance your documents, including advising on their accessibility, tone and structure. By introducing our PRIME-ACT® Framework, we ensure your policies are not only compliant, but also practical and tailored to the way your service runs in practice.

8. What makes SH Policy Support different?
We focus exclusively on policies and procedures—it’s what we do best. We tailor our approach specifically to independent health and social care providers and we understand the realities of CQC expectations, client outcomes, and operational complexity. We offer sector-specific insight, not just generic advice and we understand how many of the policies and procedures work together, not in isolation to each-other.

9. I don’t have time to focus on policies and procedures right now.
You are not alone. That’s why we make our support as practical and time-efficient as possible. We work flexibly around your schedule and take on the heavy lifting to make the process simple. Our job is to give you the tools, wording, and confidence to implement policies that are actually used.

10. What if I don't have the budget for external policy support?
We understand that budget pressures are real, especially for small providers. That’s why we offer flexible services designed around what you actually need—no unnecessary extras. Think of us as an investment in your service’s resilience. Well-written, compliant policies can prevent far costlier issues like regulatory enforcement or legal action down the line. We can also offer payment plans for some of our services and the initial consultation is free—so what do you have to lose?

11. Will working with SH Policy Support be complicated?
Not at all. We pride ourselves on being jargon-free, supportive, and friendly. Whether you need help writing a new policy from scratch or reviewing an old one, we guide you every step of the way in a style that best suits your budget and your needs. So whether you only need some basic advice, or if you are looking for our full consultancy, you’ll always know what we’re doing and why.

12. Is SH Policy Support a one-time service, or do you offer ongoing support?
Both! Some clients come to us for a one-off policy project or review, while others choose ongoing support to keep everything current and compliant. We also offer training and resources to build your internal confidence over time.

13. How long does it take to create or update policies?
It depends on the number and complexity of policies, but we always work efficiently. On average, policy reviews or new documents take between a few days and two weeks. After your initial consultation, we’ll give you a clear timeline and stick to it.

14. How do I get started with SH Policy Support?
Simple! Get in touch via our website, email, or phone. We’ll arrange a friendly consultation to understand your goals and outline your next steps. There's no pressure and we’ll guide you through with clear, actionable advice tailored to your organisation.

15. Will you work with anyone else?
Yes! While our core focus is on independent health and social care providers, we also work with a number of startup businesses, SMEs, and small charities who want structured, values-led support with their policies and procedures.

16. Do you only cover services in England?
No. We work with clients on a case-by-case basis and are happy to support services across the UK and beyond. Let’s talk about what you need and how your location and regulatory context might shape the support we offer.