Local authorities in Scotland can provide social care and support to people with mental health conditions to help minimise the effects of their condition. This is set out in the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.
Support under section 25 of the Act is not classed as a public fund for immigration purposes. This means it can be provided regardless of a person’s immigration status, including where they have no recourse to public funds (NRPF).
A person may be entitled to care and support if they are not an in patient in hospital, and have one of the following conditions:
Support under section 25 may be provided where a person is being discharged from hospital or is living in the community and needs support to minimise the effects of their condition and enable them to live as independently as possible.
Local authorities can provide a range of support, including:
Accommodation and financial support may be provided as part of a care package where this is needed to address needs arising from a mental health condition.
If a person with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) is being discharged from hospital and is homeless, but does not meet the criteria for support under section 25, the local authority may need to carry out a needs assessment to decide whether accommodation can be provided under section 12 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968.
Further information on social care support for adults in Scotland is available from Migration Scotland.
Page updated: 25 June 2026
