Funding follows the child and the national standard for early learning and childcare providers: guidance on criteria 7 - business sustainability

Annex B: Care Inspectorate Continuity Plan Requirements

68. The Care Inspectorate require that providers of care services must maintain an up-to-date contingency plan to be implemented in the event of closure of the service, including closure at short notice. The Care Inspectorate expect all care service providers and particularly those with proposed and current 24-hour services to have a contingency plan in place to deal with all emergencies, including short notice closures. Inspectors should make a requirement if a service does not have an appropriate contingency plan.

69. Contingency plans should include:

• arrangements for service users and their families to be given a minimum of 3 months’ notice and to be consulted on arranging alternative placements.
• plans to update personal / care plans
• arrangements for notifying the Care Inspectorate and the local authority / health board at the earliest opportunity
• awareness of sources of advice and good practice regarding closures.