The Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care (The Care Commission) was set up in April 2002 under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 to regulate all adult, child and independent healthcare services in Scotland. The Care Commission ensures that care service providers meet the Scottish Executive's National Care Standards and work to improve the quality of care.
This document provides a comprehensive review of these Care Standards as they apply to all care homes for children and young people. These standards are for children and young people who receive a service described in Section 2(3) of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 as one that ‘provides accommodation, together with nursing, personal care or personal support, for persons by reason of their vulnerability or need’.
Residential care may be provided in different settings: a care home, often called a children’s home or young people’s centre; or a respite care home, a unit especially for short breaks. Children and young people may be resident in care homes for short periods, including respite care or short breaks, or in the longer term, with a view to moving on to adulthood and more independent living.
This manual specifically outlines the rights ensured to youth receiving respite care in care homes. This section of the National Care Standards gears itself most specifically to the individual rights of children in regards to support arrangements, family engagement, establishment and adherence to individual Care Plans, and the provision of services and support to children by staff. Additionally, it specifies how the National Care Standards are implemented and regulated.
This manual specifically outlines the rights ensured to youth receiving respite care in care homes. This section of the National Care Standards gears itself most specifically to the individual rights of children in regards to support arrangements, family engagement, establishment and adherence to individual Care Plans, and the provision of services and support to children by staff. Additionally, it specifies how the National Care Standards are implemented and regulated.
WHAT: A set of standards for residential settings, including the young person’s welcome into care, the quality of care they should receive, contact arrangements, and listening and responding to the views of young people.
WHO: Children and young people in residential settings, their families, care home staff and managers. Also for policy makers and those inspecting the quality of care in institutions.
WHERE: These standards are for care homes in Scotland, UK and are specific to the resources and services available there. In the UK young children are not placed in residential settings, and older children will only be placed in a care home when foster placements have been unsuccessful and/or it has been assessed that the young person would benefit from a group home rather than family based care.
WHY: These standards are written from the perspective of the young person and focus on the quality of care received in a residential setting. N.B. This document is part of a series of documents, included in this toolkit. See also:
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National Care Standards. Care Homes for Children and Young People, Scottish Executive, 2005.
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National Care Standards. Adoption Agencies, Scottish Executive, 2005
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National Care Standards. Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16, Scottish Executive, 2005.
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National Care Standards. School Care Accommodation Services, Scottish Executive, 2005.
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National Care Standards. Childcare Agencies, Scottish Executive, 2006
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National Care Standards. Foster Care and Family Placement Services, Scottish Executive, 2005.
