Review of care service definitions: challenges and recommendations
Findings from the review of care service definitions independent research project commissioned by the Scottish Government.
Appendix 1: Sector comments & recommendations by definition
Definition
Support services
Limitations / suggested changes
- Too broad;
- Patronising use of the term 'vulnerability';
- Not seen as distinct enough from housing support service;
- Should include carers;
- Remove exclusion of health boards.
Definition
Care home service
Limitations / suggested changes
Distinguish between nursing and residential care homes.
Definition
School care accommodation service
Limitations / suggested changes
'Boarding' is a more recognisable term for independent schools.
Definition
A nurse agency
Limitations / suggested changes
Eliminate confusion on whether employment agencies who supply nurses and other non-caring staff should be regulated by the Care Inspectorate over their whole activities and not just nursing specific areas.
Definition
A child care agency
Limitations / suggested changes
Issue with term 'child carers' – possible confusion with language used to describe 'young carers'.
Definition
A secure
accommodation service
Limitations / suggested changes
- Clarify 'residential' secure accommodation;
- Clarify whether children's route is through Court system or Hearing system;
- Add wellbeing element.
Definition
An offender accommodation services
Limitations / suggested changes
Revisit the use of the term 'offender'
Definition
An adoption service
Limitations / suggested changes
N/A
Definition
A fostering service
Limitations / suggested changes
N/A
Definition
An adult placement service
Limitations / suggested changes
Current definition doesn't include an element of continuing care
Definition
Childminding
Limitations / suggested changes
- 'Domestic premises' distinction is important, and must be retained – though another stakeholder argued that some large-scale childminders with domestic premises have more children than some nurseries.
- Change 'looking after' – doesn't feel appropriate and suggests a lesser form of childcare.
- Strong resistance to adding age ranges and maximum capacities – wouldn't serve to future proof and would be too restrictive.
- Change to 'Registered Childminder' – would be helpful to address negative perceptions about childminding.
Definition
Day care of children
Limitations / suggested changes
- Consider including independent schools, which also provide day care to children e.g. schools with nurseries & kindergartens;
- 'Early learning and childcare' are the currently preferred terms;
- 'Day care of children' – not a term used by childminders – more of a policy and reporting term;
- Include outdoor nurseries;
- Distinguish between age categories;
- Current definition has connotations of 9am-5pm childcare rather than more flexible hours.
Definition
A housing support service
Limitations / suggested changes
'Pointless distinction' between housing support service and support service.
Contact
Email: nicola.forrest@gov.scot
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