Types of services we regulate

Adoption service

Services provided by local authorities under section 1 of the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007 or by other persons providing services mentioned in section 1(4) of that Act (with certain exceptions for adoptions arranged by a child’s relatives).

Care home service for children and young people

A residential setting registered where children and young people live and receive daily care, support and (where required) nursing, distinct from hospitals and schools. Related children’s residential service categories include schoolcare accommodation (residential places linked to school attendance) and secure accommodation,

Childcare agency

Services that supply or introduce child carers who look after a child wholly or mainly in the parents’ home, whether day‑to‑day or occasionally. (This is distinct from a nurse agency.)

Child contact service

Services whose sole or main purpose is facilitating contact between a child and a person with whom the child is not, or will not be, living (including handover), excluding social work services.

Fostering service

Services provided by local authorities (or by other persons making arrangements with them) for fostering children looked after by a local authority, and the functions assigned regarding privately fostered children. (Collectively referred to as the Scottish public fostering service and Scottish private fostering service in the Act.)

Schoolcare accommodation service

Residential accommodation provided in or outwith a school for pupils (whether during term‑time or otherwise) in connection with their school attendance, delivered by an education authority, school managers, or a person under arrangements with them.

Secure accommodation service

Services providing accommodation for the purpose of restricting the liberty of children in residential care premises.