Care Inspectorate - Methods of Regulation

Methods of Regulation

The form of regulation carried out by the Care Commission was largely laid down in the Regulation of Care(Scotland) Act, 2001, and associated Statutory Instruments.

The regulation was carried out by means of RICE, which is an acronym for Registration, Inspection, Complaints investigation, and Enforcement.

Registration ensured that the service, before opening, could demonstrate that it would be provided in line with legal and good practice requirements, and in conformity with the National Care Standards.

Inspection monitored the quality of the service. They were often unannounced, and usually resulted in recommendations or requirements on the service. The inspections were summarised in a report available on the internet through the website of the Care Commission. They remain available through the website of its successor organisation, the Care Inspectorate, to provide a continuous record with the inspection reports of the latter organisation.

Complaint investigations were initiated by communication from service users, their relatives, or members of the public. A complaint investigation often, as in inspection, resulted in recommendations, requirements, and less often in enforcement action.

Enforcement occurs where a service has not complied with legal requirements despite these having been made clear to the service. It usually consists of additional conditions on further operation: where these are not met, the enforcement can ultimately lead to the closure of the service.