Part 2Social work services

5Functions of inspectors

1

The inspectors shall—

a

conduct inspections of, and investigations into, the provision of social work services; and

b

encourage improvement in the provision of those services.

2

An inspection or investigation under this section is to be conducted in accordance with—

a

a timetable approved by the Scottish Ministers;

b

any directions issued by the Scottish Ministers.

3

Regulations may make provision concerning the exercise of functions under subsection (1) and in particular provision—

a

as to the types of inspection or investigation which may be conducted;

b

requiring or facilitating the production by a social work service provider to an inspector of information (other than relevant medical records);

c

requiring or facilitating the production by a social work service provider to a medically qualified inspector of relevant medical records;

d

requiring explanations of information to be provided to an inspector;

e

empowering an inspector to enter any premises;

f

empowering an inspector to disclose to a person prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph any information of a prescribed nature which the inspector holds in consequence of exercising functions under subsection (1);

g

creating offences punishable on summary conviction by a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale for the purpose of enforcing any provision of the regulations.