Care Inspectorate guidance for services

Visit our COVID-19 FAQs page for more information.  

You can find older updates on the Archived Updates page.

Letter to ELC providers (Added 17 July)

Yesterday the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister announced two important updates.

The first is that based on scientific and public health advice, if the virus continues to be supressed, the Scottish Government will be in a position to issue revised guidance on 30 July which eases the requirement for ‘bubbles’ in childcare settings and will allow easing of the current restrictions on blended placements.

The second was to announce funding of £11.2 million for private and third sector childcare providers to help with the costs of reopening.

The Scottish Government Early Learning and Childcare Directorate has issued a letter to all childcare providers explaining what these updates mean for them. 

Scams exploiting COVID-19 (Added 17 July)

Scams centred on exploiting COVID-19 have become prevalent in recent months. Everything from government grants and furlough payments, to mortgage holidays and demands for payment of fines, are being targeted by scammers utilising ever more sophisticated methods.

Many scammers are using “phishing” and “smishing” (the term for phishing by SMS/text message) techniques to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details. They do this by disguising themselves as a trustworthy organisation in an email or text message, then by offering refunds or demanding payments, then direct the recipients to enter personal information on a fake website which matches the look and feel of the legitimate site.

Scottish Government’s latest cyber resilience bulletin has details on a number of specific scam to watch out for, along with advice on steps you can take and sources of guidance and help.

Fees update for care service providers: July 2020 (Added 16 July)

The Care Inspectorate and the Scottish Government decided in March 2020 to defer the collection of all continuation of registration fees due by care services until July 2020. This was to support service providers to focus on the immediate Covid-19 crisis.

Following a review, we will be recommencing fee collection with immediate effect for all services except childminding, daycare of children and childcare agency services.  We will confirm the position with these childcare service types by the end of July.

We will begin contacting individual services later today. In the meantime, find out what this means for your service in our fees update.

We will update childminding, daycare of children and childcare agency services once the position with fees due by these services is confirmed and agreed with the Scottish Government. 

Out of school care services: you may need to vary your registration (Added 16 July)

As we move through the Scottish Government’s Routemap to recovery and as the sector reopens, some providers are considering how and where they deliver their services.

Evidence suggests outdoor environments can limit transmission of the COVID-19 coronavirus, and it allows for easier physical distancing between children. We know some services are considering alternative locations, or more outdoor provision.

If you change where or how you deliver your service, you will need to apply to us to vary your registration.

If you are considering providing a wholly outdoor or a satellite setting, there are resources to support you and it is important you access them. The Early Learning and Childcare: Delivering High Quality Play and Learning Environments Outdoors practice note and Out to Play will help you develop and plan safe, nurturing and inspiring outdoor play experiences for children.

If you are thinking about changes, get in touch with us as soon as you can, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We will be happy to discuss your proposal and ahead of your registration or variation application. We take a flexible and proportionate approach to support continued delivery of services that have the health and wellbeing of children at the heart.

The National Wellbeing Hub (Added 15 July)

The National Wellbeing Hub contains resources that will help health and social care staff, carers, volunteers and their families find support to cope with challenges faced during the coronavirus pandemic.

Guidance from Health Protection Scotland on COVID-19 in care homes (Added 14 July)

Health Protection Scotland has published guidance for domiciliary care and PCR testing in care homes and the management of COVID-19 PCR test positive residents and staff.

Move to 4-weekly ordering of test kits from the UK Government Social Care Portal for weekly staff testing (Added 14 July)

Following feedback from care homes, a decision has been made to move to 4-weekly ordering of test kits for the weekly staff testing programme through the UK Government Social Care Portal.  Please note testing of staff should continue on a weekly basis. The change to 4-weekly ordering will be phased in by area as follows.

  • Grampian and Borders from 8 July
  • Ayrshire & Arran, Fife & Western Isles from 15 July
  • Highlands and Lanarkshire, and Tayside, Forth Valley and Shetland from 22 July
  • Glasgow and Greater Clyde, and Dumfries & Galloway, Lothian and Orkney from 29 July

Please note that when placing 4-weekly test kit orders, the number of staff recorded on the system should reflect the number of staff in the care home and enough test kits will be sent for four weeks’ worth of testing.

Updated guidance for childminders (Added 14 July)

From 15 July 2020, childminders who wish to deliver their service can do so in line with their usual operating model.

The Scottish Government has updated its guidance to set this out in detail, and to support childminding settings to operate safely. The guidance includes information on operating conditions, physical distancing and other safety measures, and financial impact and workforce support information.

Letter to all childcare agencies (Added 13 July)

The Scottish Government Early Learning and Childcare Directorate has issued a letter to all childcare agencies outlining guidance changes from Phase 3 of Scotland's Route Map.

Guide on person-centred care (Added 10 July)

The Scottish Social Services Council has published a guide on person-centred care as part of its range of “bitesize” resources being developed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The guide contains information on how a rights-based approach is supported by the Health and Social Care Standards.

Letter to ELC providers (Added 10 July)

The Scottish Government Early Learning and Childcare Directorate has issued a letter to all childcare providers outlining guidance changes from Phase 3 of Scotland's Route Map. 

Scotland moving from Phase 2 to Phase 3 of the routemap (Added 9 July)

Today in a statement to the Scottish Parliament the First Minister announced that, taking account of the scientific and health advice, Scotland was now in a positon to move from Phase 2 to Phase 3 of the routemap.

For the childcare sector this means that all childcare services can definitely reopen from 15 July, if they wish to do so, and while following published guidance. You can find the First Minister’s full statement here. You can find all the information about the changes in Phase 3 here.

ELC COVID-19 Update for July 2020 (Added 9 July) 

The Scottish Government has published the Early Learning and Childcare Covid-19 Update for July. This update provides guidance for the childcare sector during the easing of lockdown in Scotland. 

Letter to ELC providers (Added 8 July)

The Scottish Government Early Learning and Childcare Directorate has issued a letter to all childcare providers containing an update on plans for the ELC expansion, support for childcare providers and plans for updating existing guidance.

Early learning and childcare: letter to Directors of Education ELC LA leads (Added 8 July)

A joint letter has been issued from COSLA and Minister for Children and Young People Maree Todd MSP to Directors of Education, early learning and childcare (ELC) local authority leads.

COVID-19 testing for care home staff in Scotland (Added 7 July)

The UK government have released guidance which gives instructions on how to test for coronavirus.

The Scottish Government have also released a letter to all care home staff with guidance on conducting tests for coronavirus.

Interim guidance on the extended use of medical masks and face coverings in hospitals and care homes (Added 7 July)

The Scottish Government has released guidance on the extended use of medical face masks by staff within residential healthcare settings such as acute adult (inc. mental health) and community hospitals and care homes.

Flexible Childcare Services Scotland: national sessional staff bank for childcare (Added 7 July)

Flexible Childcare Services Scotland have developed a national sessional staff bank for childcare.

This free service can be used by practitioners seeking employment terms that fit with their existing work commitments, and offers childcare providers the ability to identify and connect with available practitioners in their area.

School age childcare services reopening guidance (Added 6 July)

The Scottish Government has released new guidance to support planning for the wider reopening of school age childcare services in Phase 3 of Scotland’s Routemap.

The Scottish Government Early Learning and Childcare Directorate has issued a letter to all childcare providers detailing the guidance.

ELC reopening guidance update (Added 6 July)

The Scottish Government Early Learning and Childcare Directorate has issued a letter to all Early Learning and Childcare providers containing an update on reopening guidance.

ELC online sessions to support reopening (Added 6 July)

The Scottish Government and the Care Inspectorate are hosting a series of online support sessions on reopening guidance for the childcare sector.

The Scottish Government has issued a letter to all childcare providers detailing the sessions. 

School age childcare services reopening guidance (Added 3 July)

The Scottish Government has released new guidance to support planning for the wider reopening of school age childcare services in Phase 3 of Scotland’s Routemap.

The Scottish Government Early Learning and Childcare Directorate has issued a letter to all childcare providers detailing the guidance.

ELC reopening guidance update (Added 3 July)

The Scottish Government Early Learning and Childcare Directorate has issued a letter to all Early Learning and Childcare providers containing an update on reopening guidance.

ELC online sessions to support reopening (Added 3 July)

The Scottish Government and the Care Inspectorate are hosting a series of online support sessions on reopening guidance for the childcare sector.

The Scottish Government has issued a letter to all childcare providers detailing the sessions. 

Care home visiting from 3 July - FAQs (Added 3 July)

On 25 June the Scottish Government published guidance and a plan for the phased return to care home visiting, starting with outdoor visiting on 3 July.

FAQs are now also available through the link above to support these visits. The FAQs will be reviewed and updated as the phased return to visiting progresses.

PPE for early learning and childcare services (Added 30 June)

To offer a route to buying PPE for private, voluntary and independent early learning and childcare services, including childminders and out-of-school care, the Scottish Government has set up a framework agreement with third-party supplier Lyreco.

Lyreco offers a range of products to purchase, including face masks, aprons, gloves, visors, hand sanitiser, goggles and safety glasses. All products are subject to availability and prices are updated regularly on the Lyreco website.

Please note that this is a ‘pay for’ service, and the provider will be responsible for paying for any products purchased from Lyreco under this agreement.

If you wish to open an account with Lyreco, please first read the privacy notice, then complete the form, which must include your Care Inspectorate CS number and email it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Once your CS number is confirmed as being a registered care service your account will be set up. This may take a few days depending on the volume of forms returned. Lyreco will then give you access to their online ordering site, where you will be able to see the full range of products available and current prices. Opening an account does not place you under any obligation to place an order.

Local authority providers should continue to access PPE through their usual routes, in most cases through Scotland Excel.

Visiting care homes for adults and older people (Added 25 June)

Care home residents will be able to receive visitors outside from 3 July, provided their home meets strict criteria, with infection control measures remaining in place.

Cabinet Secretary Jeane Freeman has written a letter to care homes for adults outlining plans and Scottish Government has issued guidance on visiting arrangements.

Care Homes for Older People - Sharing your experiences and learning from COVID-19 (Added 25 June) 

We recognise that this has been a really challenging and difficult time for many people working in social care. Over the coming months, the Care Inspectorate would like to hear directly from you about your experiences. We will be working with a selection of partners across health and social care to learn what we can from how services dealt with the challenges, and how new and innovative practice was quickly put in place with great impact. We will share your experiences with government and senior leaders across health and social care and key partners. This is your opportunity to let us know what these past few months have actually felt like on the frontline and what we can all learn from these experiences.

If you are a manager, carer, senior carer, nurse or have another role working in a care home for older people, we would like to hear to from you. We are planning to arrange telephone calls or Near Me (whatever works best for you) to listen to your experiences. Conversations will last about 45mins.

We are keen to hear your experiences of recent months and we hope that you might also be willing to continue to link in with us to give your thoughts and opinions on a wide range of topics, including how we support services to improve and what changes to adult social care could look like.

This first phase is about engaging with staff in care homes for older people, but we will be expanding this over time to hear from other staff across social care.

Please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are interested in being involved. We will arrange calls with a selection of people so as to have a representative group from across the country. Please let us know the following:

Name:

Role: Manager, carer, senior carer, nurse or other role

Name and address of care home for older people:

Type of Care Home : Independent Sector/Third/Voluntary Sector/Local Authority

Our fortnightly report to the Scottish Parliament (Added 25 June)

Under the duties placed on us by the new Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act, we report to the Scottish Parliament fortnightly on our inspections activity. 

In order to robustly assess the arrangements put in place by care services to respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic, our inspections place a particular focus on infection prevention and control, personal protective equipment and staffing in care settings.  This enables us to focus on these areas while also considering the overall quality of care and people’s wellbeing.  The reports we lay before Parliament are in addition to our normal process of publishing full inspection reports, which we will publish in due course. 

The report laid before the Scottish Parliament on 24 June is here.

Letter to all care home staff from Jeane Freeman (Added 24 June)

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, Jeane Freeman, has issued the following letters to care home staff and care home managers regarding testing staff for Covid-19.

Interim guidance on the use of face masks and face coverings (Added 24 June)

The Scottish Government has released interim guidance on the wider use of face masks and face coverings in health and social care.

Updated reopening guidance for childcare providers (Added 24 June)

Today the First Minister announced that subject to scientific and public health advice that all childcare providers will be able to reopen from 15 July 2020, if they wish to do so.

The Scottish Government Early Learning and Childcare Directorate has issued a letter to all childcare providers detailing what this means for them. 

Enriched model of psychological needs (Added 23 June)           

Over the last few weeks, we have heard how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting the mental health of people who use care services, relatives and staff. By isolating or shielding in order to protect ourselves and others, we limit our opportunities to engage with people or activities that are important to us. This can undermine our psychological wellbeing and quality of life.

We have produced a poster which outlines the key elements of the ‘Enriched Model of Psychological Needs’. This can be used within care services to help staff consider what actions they could take to help promote better psychological outcomes for the people who use services, relatives, staff and themselves.  

NHS email addresses available for all care homes (Added 23 June)

The 14 Health Boards across Scotland are to provide up to three NHS email addresses to all care homes (adults, older people and children’s residential services)

The benefits of an NHS email address are:

  • Enables secure communication between the care homes, GP surgeries and other services involved in residents care
  • Allows the secure transfer of patient identifiable information between care homes and health services
  •  Reduces the risk of data loss or breaches through personal data being divulged via fax machines or other less secure communication methods.
  • Enables swift and timely communications between care homes and the NHS.

To get an email address please contact your local helpdesk or named lead. All details can be found here.

Advice from Police Scotland on crime prevention for care homes (Added 23 June)

Following a series of break-ins to care homes Police Scotland has produced a helpful guide on simple measures you can take to protect your property. 

End to staffing shortage notification (Added 22 June)

The Care Inspectorate no longer requires care services to submit notifications around staffing issues under the Red Amber Green (RAG) system. 

This notification was brought in April to assist care services to flag up where there were particular staffing shortages and allowed the Care Inspectorate, SSSC, Health and Social Care Partnerships, the NHS and Scottish Government to provide a rapid response. 

Our intelligence and data gathered in the past month indicates that care services now have good access to staffing resources directly as required, and as such we are now removing the obligation on care services to report staffing issues to us.

Any services that do experience staffing issues going forward can still access the SSSC NES portal here.

Further information

Information is available on the NHS Inform website. The key messages for Scotland are:   

  • As part of the Scotland-wide, coordinated response to coronavirus, NHS 24 provides the most up to date information and advice here.  
  • NHS 24 has also set up a dedicated helpline for people who do not have coronavirus symptoms but are seeking information. The helpline number is 0800 028 2816 and is available Monday to Friday, 0800 to 1000, Saturday and Sunday, 0900 to 1700. 
  • People who have travelled to an affected area and have symptoms of a cough, fever or difficulty breathing should stay at home and phone their GP (family doctor), or call NHS 24 on 111 if their GP surgery is closed.
  • People with general questions are advised to visit www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus in the first instance. This is the quickest and easiest way to get information and it also means that the 111 service is able to help those people with more immediate clinical need. NHSinform includes an interactive self-help guide where people can answer a few simple questions on line to assess whether they need to seek further help or advice by telephone.
  • There is a communications toolkit with information for health and care settings to download, share and print  – please be aware that this is updated as the situation develops so should be checked frequently. Please use the latest version in your setting and update if required. 

NHS 24 has active Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels that are the official social feeds for Coronavirus in Scotland. You can follow these from the links below. 

Health Protection Scotland has also produced information and guidance which should be useful and this is updated at regular intervals.

The Scottish Government summary of response arrangements for coronavirus in Scotland can be found here.   

Other guidance

NHS Inform has published guidance leaflets and posters in a variety of different languages and easy-read format. You can download these from their website here.