#2026/166The Care Home Services (Visits to and by Care Home Residents) (Scotland) Regulations 2026
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
These regulations establish a legal right for care home residents in Scotland to receive visits from an identified Essential Care Supporter and other visitors. They set out the process for care homes to identify an Essential Care Supporter, the general right to visits, and the limited circumstances in which visits may be suspended. The rules require care homes to follow a formal process when suspending visits, including notifying residents and providing a right to review the decision. A statutory Code of Practice must be followed regarding residents’ right to visits. The regulations come into force on 31 March 2026.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Care homes must identify and designate an Essential Care Supporter for each resident
- Legal right to visits established for all care home residents from 31 March 2026
- Visiting may only be suspended in specific circumstances with formal process and review right
+ 3 more changes with Pro
Obligations
What this law requires
Care homes must identify an Essential Care Supporter for each resident in accordance with the process set out in Regulation 2
Care homes must ensure care home residents have a general right to receive visits from an identified Essential Care Supporter as set out in Regulation 3
Care homes must enable visits from other visitors in addition to the Essential Care Supporter, subject to the limitations in these Regulations
Care homes must follow a formal suspension process outlined in Regulation 4 before suspending visits, with limited circumstances permitted for suspension
Care homes must notify residents of any decision to suspend visiting in accordance with Regulation 7