DISCLAIMER:
This duty is currently under review and has not yet been formally signed off by the relevant professional association. The information provided is for reference only and should not be treated as final or authoritative guidance. Please verify any decisions against approved sources or seek professional advice. Updates will be published once sign-off is complete.
Simple terms explainer
Councils have a responsibility to ensure that people who need help at home receive the right support. This can include assistance with everyday tasks as well as help to maintain independence and quality of life. Councils may provide home care services directly through their own staff or arrange for external providers, such as private care agencies, to deliver the care. Councils usually carry out a care needs assessment to understand the individual’s circumstances and determine what type and level of help is required. They may also assess whether the person qualifies for financial assistance. In addition to practical care, councils can offer advice, equipment, or home adaptations to make living at home easier and safer.
Legal status
Statutory
Duty category
Adult social care
Housing
Duty type
Public facing
Social determinant of health
Health and social care
Related data returns
Delayed Discharges Data Return - Monthly submission to Public Health Scotland. Provides data on delayed hospital discharges, supporting oversight of councils’ arrangements for community care and integrated service planning.
Delayed Discharge Data Extract - Weekly submission to Scottish Government. Provides information on delayed hospital discharges, supporting monitoring of demand for community care and timely discharge of people from hospital.
Free Personal and Nursing Care Quarterly Monitoring Data Return -
Quarterly submission to the Scottish Government. Provides data on the uptake and cost of free personal and nursing care, supporting oversight of care provision for older people.
SOURCE Social Care Data - Quarterly submission to Public Health Scotland. Provides individual-level data on social care services, supporting oversight of community care, self-directed support, and learning disability services.
Care at Home Weekly Return - Weekly voluntary submission to Public Health Scotland. Provides data on people awaiting social care assessment or care at home services, supporting oversight of unmet demand and service capacity.
Dynamic Support Register Return - Biannual submission to Public Health Scotland. Provides data on people with learning disabilities and complex care needs, supporting oversight of vulnerable adults and planning of care and support services.
Bodies with shared interest
Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
Standards and frameworks
2