Register a care service (excluding childminders)

Last updated: 15 March 2026

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:

  • the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010

  • the Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Registration) Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/28)

  • the Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Applications) Order 2011 (SSI 2011/29)

  • the Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/210)

  • the Health and Social Care Standards

  • the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019

  • any other legislation relevant to your service.

You should also read the quality framework relevant to your service type, our guide to self-evaluations and visit our resources and data area, which has a wide range of information aimed at supporting improvement in social care and social work by sharing intelligence and research-led practice. 

Pre application advice

You should only request pre‑application advice in specific situations.

  • If you plan to use a building or premises to deliver your care service
    This applies to services such as care homes or day care for adults or children. We can advise you on whether the premises are suitable, but we will ask you to send detailed plans so we can review them.

  • If you have never applied to register a care service before
    We can offer guidance to help you understand what’s involved in the registration process.

Read our guidance for more information about requesting advise.

If you have general questions about registration, please get in touch with our Contact Centre, who will be happy to help.