Section 64 – Cancellation of registration
117.This section gives SCSWIS the power to cancel the registration of a care service registered under this Chapter that, having been issued with an improvement notice under section 62, is still not meeting the relevant requirements. This could be concern about how effectively the care standards are being taken into account or that a condition of registration has been breached or where a relevant offence has been committed. Further grounds for cancelling registration may be prescribed by order.
118.Subsection (2) provides that relevant offences for the purpose of this section are:
an offence under this Part - for example, providing a care service while not being registered (section 80(1)(a)), knowingly making a false or misleading statement when applying for registration or variation or removal of a condition (section 80(1)(b)) or failing to display a current certificate of registration (section 80(2));
an offence under regulations made under this Part;
any other offence which in SCSWIS's view makes it appropriate to cancel a registration.
119.Registration can be formally cancelled if a provider closes a care service before the cancellation process is complete. This will ensure that the provider's record accurately reflects the situation and SCSWIS will be aware of previous history in dealing with any future applications. Again, SCSWIS must take the standards and outcomes established under section 50 and the Scottish Social Services Council's codes of practice into account in coming to its decisions.
120.Cancellation of registration would not normally be the first step in a formal enforcement action. It is only likely to be used where the service has not met conditions of registration over time and has ignored the serving of an improvement notice. If a care service provider is convicted of a relevant offence, such as obstructing an inspection and fails to remedy matters at fault, SCSWIS will be able to cancel registration.
121.Subsection (4) allows SCSWIS to cancel a registration, without first issuing an improvement notice, where the person providing a registered care services ceases to provide the service.
