The Regulated Services (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) (Wales) Regulations 2017

PART 13 Additional requirements on service providers in respect of premises – new accommodation

Application of Part 13

49.—(1) This Part applies to service providers who are registered to provide an accommodation-based service and the premises used for the provision of the service fall within one of the categories in paragraph (2). But this Part does not apply if the service involves the provision of accommodation to four or fewer individuals.

(2) The categories are—

• Category A: The premises used for the provision of the service consist of a new building or an existing building which has been converted for the purpose of providing the service, and, in either case, the building has not previously been used for the purpose of providing an accommodation-based service.

• Category B: The premises consist of an extension to a building which is used for the purpose of providing the service at a place specified as a condition to the service provider’s registration.

• Category C: The premises consist of a building which was unoccupied immediately prior to the service provider’s registration but was previously used for the purpose of providing an accommodation-based service at a place specified as a condition to the registration of another service provider.

(3) If this Part applies, the service provider must ensure that the requirements of regulations 50 to 54 are complied with.

(4) In this regulation, “accommodation-based service” means a care home service, a secure accommodation service or a residential family centre service.

Additional requirements – en-suite bathrooms

50.  All bedrooms used for the provision of the service must have an en suite bathroom which includes an accessible wash hand basin, lavatory and shower.

Additional requirements – room sizes

51.—(1) All bedrooms used for the provision of the service must have a minimum of 12 square metres of useable floor space unless paragraph (2) or (3) applies.

(2) This paragraph applies where the person living in the room has to use a wheelchair on a permanent and constant basis because of the nature of their disability.

(3) This paragraph applies where a bedroom is shared.

(4) If paragraph (2) applies, the bedroom must have a minimum of 13.5 square metres of useable floor space.

(5) If paragraph (3) applies, the bedroom must have a minimum of 16 square metres of useable floor space.

Additional requirements – communal space

52.  The amount of sitting, recreational and dining space which is used for the provision of the service in accordance with regulation 44(6) must be at least—

(a) 4.1 square metres for each individual;

(b) 5.1 square metres for wheelchair users.

Additional requirements – outdoor space

53.  The external grounds which are used for the provision of the service in accordance with regulation 44(10) must—

(a) be accessible to individuals in wheelchairs or with other mobility problems,

(b) have sufficient and suitable seating, and

(c) be designed to meet the needs of all individuals including those with physical, sensory and cognitive impairments.

Additional requirements – passenger lift

54.  Where the accommodation used for the provision of the service is on more than one floor and this is consistent with the statement of purpose for the service, there must be a passenger lift.