Safe staffing programme: Information for adults service
This information applies to all adult services, however please also click on the tab specifically for adult care homes for more information about our draft staffing method framework.
The safe staffing programme was commissioned by the Scottish Government to support care services to prepare for enactment of The Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019. This is the first legislation in the UK to set out requirements for both health and care services and will affect legislation that guides the requirements of the services you currently provide.
Enacted on 1 April 2024, the Act is applicable to all health and care staff in Scotland. Statutory guidance has been published alongside the Act. The aims of the Act are to enable safe and high quality care and improved outcomes for those experiencing healthcare or care services through the provision of appropriate staffing. This means:
Having the right people, in the right place, with the right skills, at the right time
All adult services
This content applies to all adult services, however, please also click on the ‘adult care homes’ tab for details of the staffing method framework that is relevant for adult care homes.
The Main purposes of staffing for health and care services are:
- To provide safe and high-quality services
- To ensure the best care outcomes for people who use services.
The Guiding principles apply to:
- all services identified in the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 section 47 (1)
- the Care Inspectorate when collaborating with stakeholders to develop a staffing method
- all local and integration authorities when planning or securing the provision of a care service under a contract, agreement or other arrangement.
Click on each link below for information and links to relevant documents.
- Improving standards and outcomes for people who use services
- Taking account of particular needs, abilities, characteristics and circumstances of people who use services
- Respecting the dignity and rights of people who use services
- Taking account of the views of staff and people who use services
- Ensuring the wellbeing of staff
- Being open with staff and people who use services about decisions on staffing
- Allocating staff efficiently and effectively
- Promoting multi-disciplinary services as appropriate
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What is meant by “suitably qualified and competent individuals are working in such numbers as are appropriate for…”? |
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Statutory guidance chapter : 15.20 This provision is intended to ensure there are sufficient staff providing care, with the appropriate knowledge, skills and competence to meet the needs of people experiencing care. Care service providers should be able to demonstrate clearly that they have considered the levels of practice, training, education, experience and professional regulatory responsibilities of all of the staff within a team providing care. |
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What is meant by “the provision of safe and high-quality care”? |
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Statutory guidance chapter : 15.22 When judging whether or not a service is “safe”, safe does not mean “no-risk”. Depending on the service, safe may not even mean low risk. Risk enablement is important and risks are an inevitable part of most care services. Positive risks, as defined in the Health and Social Care Standards sections 2.24 and 2.25 means making balanced decisions about risks and risk management and recognising that risks to safety are inevitable and can sometimes result in benefits. However, people experiencing care should not be put at unnecessary risk as a result of staffing which fails to provide high-quality care services. Provision of high-quality care requires the right people, in the right place, with the right skills at the right time, with the appropriate amount of time available, reflecting individual care needs, to ensure the best care outcomes for those experiencing care. High quality care should include consideration of the dignity and respect of the person experiencing care, including respect and promotion for their human rights; compassionate care and support; inclusion in care of those using the service, along with their carers and representatives as appropriate; responsive care which adapts to the needs of the person; and care which improves wellbeing. Documents you may consider: |
This table details the sections of the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 relevant to all care services identified in the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010, section 47(1)
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Section of the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 (HCSSA) |
Category |
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HCSSA, section 1(a) and 1(b) HCSSA, section 3(1) |
The main purposes and guiding principles |
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HCSSA, section 7 |
Appropriate staffing |
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HCSSA, section 8 |
Training of staff |
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HCSSA, section 10(1) and 10(2) |
Guidance from the Scottish ministers |
Adult care homes
The safe staffing programme team has developed a desktop and app version of the staffing method framework for care home for adult services to use as a good practice document. The staffing method framework is within The Right Decisions app. Please watch our 'how to' video or scan the QR codes below to download the app.
Bitesize
Webinars
Explore the implementation of the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 (adult care homes) - 10 September 2024
Explore the implementation of the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 (adult services) - 9 September 2024
Webinar for registered adult care services with a focus on mental health and learning disability services - 18 January 2024
The Health and Care Staffing Scotland Act 2019 webinar series
Learning resources
Find below some useful resources.
- We created a poster to raise awareness of the Act for services and their staff. Please download the poster for adult services and display in your service.
- Use Safe Staffing cards sway for a deeper understanding of the Act and the implications for your service. The cards can be used as part of a self-evaluation exercise, to identify strengths and raise awareness for areas for improvement.
- We have collated the voice of the sector which we gathered during in person events and webinars. Please find the word cloud for adult services which incorporates the 8 main principles.
- FAQs
- The See Me video below highlights the importance of stigma in the work place and highlights further resources to support staff wellbeing.
- The impact of staff support on our lives video is below.
A series of six information guides
These guides have been produced to support managers and senior staff in registered care services who are engaged in workload assessment/planning and inspectors evaluating services:
Guiding principles
Appropriate staffing
Staffing method framework
Staff training qualifications and registration
The wellbeing of staff
Planning commissioning reporting
Get involved
