How to apply
There are different application forms, depending on whether you
are a manager of a service, an individual, an organisation or a
partnership providing a service.
Find the forms on our registration
home page.
You must:
- complete the application forms in full
- attach the necessary documents (including a Criminal Records
Disclosure obtained through the Commission)
- enclose the full application fees.
If any of these are missing, we will return your application and
fee to you.
You should apply to us when you are ready to be registered.
This means that you should:
- have your policies and procedures in place
- have appointed a manager
- have premises that are ready to provide a service, in line with
your statement of purpose.
If you are not ready when you apply then you must be able to
tell us, in your application, the date when you will be. If, after
16 weeks from the date of your application, you are still unable to
meet the requirements, we will consider refusing your
application.
Services provided by individuals
If you are an individual providing a service and you intend to
be in charge of it yourself you do not need to appoint a manager.
In that case, we will assess you as the person in charge.
If you do appoint a manager they will need to make a separate
application to be registered as the manager. You will need to
include this with your main service application.
Services provided by organisations
If you are an organisation providing a service (this includes
organisations operating as limited companies), you must put forward
(the law calls this ‘nominating’) a ‘responsible individual’.
This needs to be a senior member of the organisation who is
responsible for supervising the management of the service.
Although the responsible individual is not registered, they
represent the organisation and will have to be able to show that
both they and the organisation meet the fitness requirements for
registration.
Information about the premises
If you are applying for registration for a service, you will
need to provide the following information.
The registration form will ask you for:
- a statement about the accommodation, facilities and services
which are to be provided, including the extent and, where
appropriate, location of the accommodation, facilities and
services.
- a statement about whether, on the date you apply, the premises
can be used to achieve the aims set out in the statement of purpose
for the service.
- (if your service is new) details of whether your service needs
planning permission and evidence that it has been obtained.
Please read the forms and make sure you are able to provide the
information we ask for before you apply.
You should not apply unless you know that the building will meet
the requirements. If it does not, then we will consider refusing
your application.
Information about you
- Ask your doctor for a report on your general health, noting any
physical or mental condition or chronic disability, which may
affect your ability to run a service. We will give you a sample
form (Appendix B) to help you get this report. This should be no
more than three months old when the application is submitted.
About the organisation or provider
- Ask your bank for a financial reference. We will give you a
sample form (Appendix C) to help you get this reference. In the
case of an organisation, the financial reference will always need
to be about the organisation, not the Responsible Individual.
Find all the forms you need on our registration home page.