National minimum standards
Read the national minimum standards (NMS) that relate to your type of service.
Download the national minimum standards for each service from the Department of Health website:
Care homes for older people (65 +) (PDF, opens in a new window)
Care homes for adults (18 to 65) (PDF, opens in a new window)
Domiciliary care (home care) (PDF, opens in a new window)
Nurses agencies (PDF, opens in a new window)
Adult placement schemes (PDF, opens in a new window)
Please note: The national minimum standards as they appear on the links above include the regulations dealing with each service in the way that they were first published. All of the regulations have been amended since that time, and so this version may be inaccurate.
How to order copies
You can get printed copies from a company called TSO by calling them on 0870 600 5522.
Visit the TSO online bookshop (opens in new window)
How we interpret the standards
- Guidance logs for all care services: Get help understanding the standards with our guidance logs
- Understanding the different rules: If you're new to social care get help understanding the different rules and regulations.
