The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) grants individuals the right to request information from public bodies in Scotland. This helps make services open and accountable.
The Scottish Government is now asking whether these same rights should apply to private and third sector organisations that provide care home and ‘care at home’ services. These organisations support many vulnerable people across Scotland, but FOISA currently does not cover them.
Currently, FOISA only applies to public bodies involved in arranging or providing care, such as local councils and NHS Boards. It does not apply to independent or voluntary organisations delivering social care.
This consultation aims to explore whether extending FOISA would improve transparency, and how to do this without placing too much pressure on care providers.
The Scottish Government wants to hear from:
- People who use care services, or have used them in the past
- Families and communities
- Care providers, staff, and anyone working in social care
- Advocacy organisations and others with an interest in transparency and rights
Your views will help shape how information rights work in Scotland’s care sector.