SWSA s 12A
If someone has needs that do not arise solely because of destitution, then SWSA s 12A applies.
'12A …(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, where it appears to a local authority that any person for whom they are under a duty or have a power to provide, or to secure the provision of, community care services may be in need of any such services, the authority (a) shall make an assessment of needs of that person for those services ; and (b) shall then decide, having regard to the results of that assessment… whether the needs of the person being assessed call for the provision of any such services.'
Some agencies report that Scottish local authorities have assessed failed asylum seekers as having community care needs but have then decided not to provide any services to them. While this practice has not to our knowledge been challenged on behalf of asylum seekers, it was challenged in the case of a 90 year old man with poor short term memory, restricted mobility, liability to fall and deafness in both ears, who was assessed under s 12A as requiring 24 hour nursing care, but was then put on the waiting list for residential care.
The Court of Session said that this was unlawful and ordered the local authority to provide residential care for the elderly man (see Macgregor v South Lanarkshire Council, 2001 SLT 233).

