National Care Standards
In order to raise the level of care in Scotland and ensure that service users receive the same quality of care no matter where they live, Scottish Ministers have developed national care standards for a wide range of care services.
The standards have been created from the service user's point of view and are designed to explain what can be expected from care services. They also help service users to raise concerns or make a complaint.
The standards are based on the following six principles -
- Dignity
- Privacy
- Choice
- Safety
- Realising potential
- Equality and diversity
Did You Know the National Care Standards are free of charge?
The National Care Standards can be obtained free of charge at:
Blackwell's Bookshop
53-62 South Bridge
Edinburgh
EH1 1YS
You can also obtain copies of the standards from Blackwell's by telephone. Contact them on 0131 622 8222.
Alternatively click here to get electronic versions of the standards.
Care Commission
The Care Commission was set up by the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001. It inspects all care services registered under this law at least once a year, and twice for some services.
The Care Commission's aim is to raise standards of care by involving people who are cared for and by working with people who provide care.
When inspecting care services, the Care Commission takes into account the national care standards. The Care Commission is guided by the principles of keeping people safe, supporting independence and promoting dignity and choice.
It is also the Care Commission's job to investigate any complaints about a care service, or about its own operations.
The Care Commission's powers mean it can enforce changes to a care service to make sure the people using it are protected. But action like this will only be taken when other efforts have failed.
The Care Commission can be contacted at -
The Care Commission
Compass House
11 Riverside Drive
Dundee
DD1 4NY
Tel - 01382 207 100
Fax - 01382 207 289
Lo-call - 0845 603 0890
Care Commision Website
National Care Standards Leaflet - 'Taking Care of You'
An information leaflet entitled 'Taking Care of You : A Guide to the National Care Standards' is now available. The leaflet provides a short and informative guide to the National Care Standards and the services they cover.
Two versions of the leaflet are available. Both contain the same information but one features an adult on the cover and the other features a child. Both versions of the leaflet can be accessed online in 'pdf' format by clicking these links -
'Taking Care of You' - Adults
'Taking Care of You' - Children
Alternatively, copies of the leaflets can be obtained from the Care Standards and Sponsorship Branch. Contact details are as follows -
Tel. 0131 244 3699
E-mail.standardsandsponsorship@scotland.gsi.gov.uk