Using care services

We regulate all care services in Scotland using the National Care Standards, set out by the Scottish Government, as a benchmark for how each type of service should perform.  These standards are the minimum that you should expect when using care services. 

While a service is operating we grade each service against up to four of the most important aspects of care. These are:  

• Quality of care and support
• Quality of the environment
• Quality of staffing  
• Quality of management and leadership

Because we grade separate aspects of care, a care service could have as many as four grades.  These are given based on what we find at each inspection.

The grading scale is:
1 = Unsatisfactory, 2 = Weak, 3 = Adequate, 4 = Good, 5 = Very Good, 6 = Excellent

You can download our inspection reports from our care services list or complete the information request form

We work closely with everyone who provides a care service, as well as professional organisations, local authority and other government agencies to achieve improved care for everyone in Scotland.