Advice note for practitioners from the Mental Welfare Commission
The Mental Welfare Commission is being contacted for advice on mental health care and treatment related to this pandemic.
In light of this, and in anticipation of emergency legislation currently going through Parliament, they have produced this advice note for practitioners who are using the Mental Health Act and Adults with Incapacity Act when caring for patients.
Read more
Scottish Government begins monitoring uptake and provision of childcare places
The Scottish Government has begun monitoring the uptake and provision of places in early learning and childcare settings. This includes private and third-sector all-day childcare services including nurseries, out of school care and childminders (not local authority settings). Information in relation to local authority settings will be gathered on a separate survey.
From Thursday 26 March, it is vital that these services complete this short online survey daily by 3pm each day.
Services providers in the voluntary and private sectors and childminders are asked to provide information on:
- whether they are open or closed
- the number of ELC practitioners working in the setting
- the number of children attending (including those classed as “vulnerable”, those of key workers, and those attending solely for the purposes of taking a meal).
Information will be collated by Scottish Government and alongside the local authority data, this will be used to monitor the level of provision during the outbreak of the coronavirus (Covid-19).
You can access the survey here.
The data you give is crucial in enabling Scottish Government to monitor current provision in light of this unprecedented situation.
Thank you for your support in completing this daily survey and to you and all your staff providing this vital service to children and families.
Read more
NHS NSS triage centre for social care
NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) has set up a helpline to deal with social care supplies during Covid-19.
At the moment, the helpline is to be used only in cases where there is an urgent supply shortage and a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19. This will be reviewed regularly in the coming days and weeks.
Care service providers can reach the NHS NSS triage centre by calling 0300 303 3020.
When contacting the helpline, providers will be required to:
- answer a series of short screening questions
- confirm they have fully explored business as usual procurement routes
- confirm they have a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19 and therefore have a need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- provide their Care Inspectorate registration number.
The helpline will be open 8am – 8pm, 7 days a week.
Read more
Guidance for childminders
Following the Scottish and UK Government’s announcements on 23 March 2020 about the latest measures necessary to reduce the spread of Covid-19, the Scottish Government has issued guidance which sets out the implications for childminding services in Scotland.
You can download the guidance here.
Read more
Covid-19 update for complainants
Due to Government guidance about working from home to keep staff safe we have closed our phone lines and continue our Contact Centre service online and by email. To make a complaint you can email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Our offices are also closed to members of the public until further notice.
In order to protect the safety and wellbeing of people experiencing care we are only making visits to services when it is absolutely necessary. If you have a concern about a care service, in the first instance please raise this with the manager of the service. We will risk assess any concerns we receive, and this may result in complaints being referred to the service provider.
Reports detailing the outcome of complaints that are in progress have been placed on hold until further notice.
Read more