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Register care

If you want to operate a care service in Scotland you must, by law, register with the Care Inspectorate. 

Before applying to register a service

Before you apply to register a care service you must make sure you have read and understood the associated guidance and legislation.  

Every registered care service must continuously meet the requirements of: 

Fees 

Care services must pay fees to be registered with us. The maximum limit is set by Scottish Ministers. The fees we collect contribute to our operating costs.

We charge a fee for registering a new service and an annual continuation fee. The annual continuation fee licenses a care service to operate.

All application fees are non-returnable.

To find out more about our fees click here.

What to expect from the registration process

You can now apply to register a care service online, using our new, secure system. The online application is simple to complete and only asks you questions that are relevant to your service type.

You can manage your application easily. You can save it as you go and return to it later so you can complete and submit at your own pace. You can go back to previous stages to check, change and add to your application. The new application allows you to upload supporting documents and pay your application fee.

Read our guidance online registraiton application form - your guide. 

We aim to assess applications for a childminding service within three months and all other services within six months. However, this presumes that you supply us with a competent and fully detailed application, as well as any additional information we request. It is in your interest to give us all the information we ask for in the application form to prevent any delays or the risk of us closing or refusing your application.

Once you have submitted your application, our national registration team will check:

  • the information you have given us
  • whether the provider is fit to provide the service
  • whether the manager is fit to manage the service
  • that the proposed premises are fit to be used for that purpose
  • that the service will make all the proper provisions for the health, welfare, independence, choice, privacy and dignity of everyone using the service.

We may also check the financial viability of the service. Any information we ask for during the registration process is in accordance with the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010.

Read our applying to register a care service - guidance for applicants. 

For more information about registering a service (other than childminding) click here. [LINK TO REGISTER A CARE SERVICE (OTHER THAN CM) PAGE].

For more information about registering a childminding service click here. [LINK TO REGISTER A CM SERVICE PAGE].

If you are unclear about the kind of service you want to apply for, click here to see the definitions of care services which must be registered with us.

For general advice about registering a care service you can contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Create an account to begin your application. 

Sign in to see an existing application [LINK].

If you require the application form in an alternative format, please call our contact centre on 0345 600 9527.

 

Related documents

Online registraiton application form - your guide

Applying to register a care service - guidance for applicants

Inspection quality frameworks

Self-evaluation for improvement – your guide


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Publication and re-use

Publication Scheme

We have adopted the Model Publication Scheme, in its entirety as produced by the Scottish Information Commissioner. The adoption period runs until 31 May 2022.

In adopting the Single Model Scheme, we have produced a 'Guide to Information' which:

  • allows you to see what information is available (and what is not available) in relation to each class
  • states what charges may be applied
  • explains how to find the information easily
  • provides contact details for enquiries and to get help with accessing the information
  • explains how to request information that has not been published.

Requests to re-use publications, information or resources

Arrangements for permission to re-use Care Inspectorate documents, information or resources are covered by the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations and will be permitted in the majority of cases. Requests for permission to re-use our information should be addressed to:

Information Governance Team
Care Inspectorate
Compass House
11 Riverside Drive
Dundee
DD1 4NY
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


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Freedom of information

Freedom of Information

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 anyone has the right to ask for information held by the Care Inspectorate. There are a few exceptions that may require us to withhold some of the information that has been requested, such as information that may be personal or commercially sensitive. We also withhold information where it would cost an excessive amount to put together a response, but in those cases we will give advice and assistance to help you access as much information as possible.

How to make a request

All requests should be made in writing

You can send your request by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by post to the following address:

Information Governance Team
Care Inspectorate
Compass House
11 Riverside Drive
Dundee
DD1 4NY

All requests will receive a response within 20 working days. 

How to word a request

Be specific about the information you are looking for as this helps us to identify what you require and answer you request promptly. For example, does a specific date or time period apply?

Freedom of Information (FOI) only provide a right of access to information which has been recorded by a public authority. For information to be recorded, it must be stored and held in some way, for example:- in a report, spreadsheet, email, recording or in a minute of a meeting. Bear this in mind when wording your request, and try to ask for information which is likely to already be recorded and held. Asking for someone’s opinion or view on an issue will not constitute an FOI request if the opinion is not recorded.

For example, rather than asking “What was the Care Inspectorates thinking regarding the closure of Hiptown Nursery”, instead you could ask for all reports and correspondence relating to the closure of Hiptown Nursery
Requests can be narrowed down, for example by providing a certain time frame, or by being specific where possible about the title of the document, a particular theme, or services or individuals mentioned within a report.

The Scottish Information Commissioners Tips for requesting information under FOI and EIRS provide simple advice to help you make the most of your rights to request information. http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourRights/Tipsforrequesters.aspx#record-information

What to do if you are unhappy with a response

You should submit a requirement for review in writing no later than 40 working days after you received your response.

If you are dissatisfied with the way in which the Care Inspectorate has dealt with your request for information and would like us to review our decision then you should write to us stating your reasons for the dissatisfaction at:

Information Governance Team
Care Inspectorate
Compass House
11 Riverside Drive
Dundee
DD1 4NY
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

What to do if you are unhappy with the Review Response

If you are dissatisfied with our response to a request for a review you may make an application for a decision to the Scottish Information Commissioner within 6 months of receiving your review at:
Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
Tel: 01334 464610
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.itspublicknowledge.info
Should you then wish to appeal against the Commissioner’s decision there is a right of appeal to the Court of Session on a point of law only.


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