Where we work
Care services in Scotland
Support for Scottish care-service projects and existing providers, with care-service and independent-healthcare routes considered separately.
We begin with the kind of service, the people it will support and how care will be delivered. The registration category, management arrangements and quality framework must fit the Scottish model.
Care Inspectorate
The Care Inspectorate registers and regulates care services. Care homes, care-at-home and housing-support proposals need the relevant service-category assessment. Childminding and day-care provision for children also follow Care Inspectorate registration routes.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS)
Independent healthcare follows the HIS route. A clinical service proposal needs its own review of activities, premises, workforce and clinical governance. We identify the specialist expertise and responsibilities before agreeing the project.
Service design and ongoing oversight
The application, staffing model and operating procedures need to reflect Scottish requirements. Proposals involving children’s residential or secure care require their own specialist review; England’s Ofsted route is not used for a Scottish service.
The framework for your service
The Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 underpins care-service registration, alongside the Health and Social Care Standards and applicable service requirements. Workforce registration and qualifications, premises requirements and any other approvals are considered separately where relevant.
Our work can include service planning, application preparation, leadership preparation, opening checks and support for an existing provider. We agree what is included, who handles specialist work and what happens after handover.