Section 21: Offences in relation to registration under Part 1
80.This section sets out offences under Part 1 of the Act. Subsection (1) makes it an offence for a person to describe any service as a care service for the purposes of this Act when it is not registered as such. This would catch, for example, an unscrupulous hotel owner who tried to pretend their hotel was a care home. If convicted of an offence under this subsection, the person would be liable to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (£5000 at present) or up to three months imprisonment, or both.
81.Subsection (2) makes it an offence not to display a certificate of registration in a prominent place. The penalty on summary conviction is a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale (£500 at present).
82.Subsection (3) provides that an individual or body, other than an adoption agency, making arrangements for the adoption of a child would be prosecuted under the Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978 rather than this Act. This will ensure that there is not duplication of powers under this Act and the Adoption Act.
