Home for the Elderly and People with Disabilities
Operating Homes for the Elderly and People with Disabilities
General Information
In order to operate a Home for the Elderly and People with Disabilities in the Republic of Cyprus, legal or natural persons need to obtain a Registration Certificate by the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare.
The term “Home for the Elderly and People with Disabilities” refers to any premises within which accommodation is provided to more than five individuals, over the age of eighteen years old, who due to a disability or advanced age or any other reasons or circumstances are in need of care and treatment; it includes anything related to these premises or other premises or area used for this purpose.
Application Submission
Who is Eligible
Every physical person or legal entity is eligible to operate a Home for the Elderly and People with Disabilities, provided that the Home is registered under “The Homes for the Elderly and Disabled Persons Law of 1991 (222/1991) ” and meets the provisions of “The Homes for the Elderly and Disabled Persons Regulations”, among which :
- The person in charge of the Centre possess the appropriate qualifications as may be specified by the relevant regulations;
- Sufficient and qualified staff is to be employed in order to ensure the best possible care of the residents;
- The suitability of the premises with the appropriate health conditions, location, construction, fire safety, architectural drawings/layout, maintenance, general conditions, and equipment;
- The suitability of services and facilitations to be offered at the Centre.
Where to Apply
The application form for the Registration of a Home for the Elderly and People with Disabilities can be submitted either through the PSC Cyprus or by contacting directly the competent authority, by district, according to the list below:
Nicosia District Social Welfare Office
Agiou Ilarionos 66,
1026 Kaimakli, Nicosia
Tel: +357 22804605, +357 22804607
Email. : nikosia.dwo@sws.dmsw.gov.cy
Limassol District Social Welfare Office
Franklin Roosevelt 80,
3012 Limassol
Tel: +357 25804523, +357 25804452
Email. : lemesos.dwo@sws.dmsw.gov.cy
Larnaca Provincial Social Welfare Office
Peliou 23-25, G. Matthaiou Court,
6301 Larnaca
Tel: +357 24800101, +357 24800260
Email. : larnaca.dwo@sws.dmsw.gov.cy
Pafos District Social Welfare Office
17 Nikou Nikolaidis,
8010 Paphos
Tel: +357 26821601, +357 26821600
Email. : pafos.dwo@sws.dmsw.gov.cy
Ammochostos District Social Welfare Office
1 April 170, 5280
Paralimni
Tel: +357 23811741
Email. : ammochostos.dwo@sws.dmsw.gov.cy
Social Welfare Services
Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare
63 Prodromou,
1468 Nicosia
Tel.: +357 22406701, +357 22406712
Fax: +357 22667907
Email: central.sws@sws.dmsw.gov.cy
Website: http://www.dmsw.gov.cy/sws
Which Certificates must be Submitted
The application form must be accompanied by the following documents:
- Copy of Manager’s qualification certificates;
- Copy of staff members’ qualification certificates;
- Copy of identity card for each staff member;
- Copy of the architectural plans and the exact dimensions of the building;
- Copy of the Building Permit or Town Planning Permit for the use of the premises as a Home for the Elderly and People with Disabilities;
- Copy of Certificate of Eligibility by the Cyprus Fire Service;
- Copy of Certificate of Eligibility by the Public Works Department;
- Copy of Certificate of Eligibility by the Public Health Service;
- Copy of Certificate of Eligibility by the Department of Electrical and Mechanical Services;
- Original Health Certificates for each staff member* (see clarification below);
- Original Certificates of Clear Criminal Record for each staff member;
- Original Certificate by the Police in accordance with article 22 (6) of the “Prevention and Combating of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography Law, N. 91 (i)/2014” for each staff member.
*Original (Medical) Health Certificates: blood tests for infectious diseases (hepatitis B (HBsAg) and C (anti-HCV), AIDS HIV (HIV I&II antibodies), syphilis (VDRL) and dermoreaction MANTOUX], food handler certificate (stool-sample analysis) and chest X-ray reports.
Fees Applicable & How to Pay
There no fees applicable.
Decision Notification
On-site inspection of the home’s premises is carried out by authorized persons of the Director of Social Welfare Services in order to ensure that all the prerequisites are met.
The applicant is informed regarding the authorization decision within four months from the date that the application form and supporting documents have been dully submitted.The authorization shall not be deemed to have been granted if the Social Welfare Services has not replied within the period specified.
Licence Validity Period
The Certificate of Registration of a Home for the Elderly and People with Disabilities does not need to be renewed and is valid provided that the Home complies with its obligations and fulfills the provisions of “The Homes for the Elderly and Disabled Persons Law of 1991 (222/1991)” and the relevant regulations.
Dispute with the Competent Authority's Decision
How to File an Administrative Action
Administrative Action Against a Competent Authority’s Decision
Any person may file an Administrative Action at the Administrative court against a decision, act or omission of any competent authority or body.
Pursuant to Article 146 of the Constitution, an Administrative Action may be lodged within 75 days from the date of the decision or act or omission or from the day when such decision or act or omission was notified to the applicant.
The Administrative Court acts as a cassation Court and not as a substantive Court. In other words, the Administrative Court may:
I. Dismiss the Administrative Action
II. Annul wholly or partially the contested decision or act
III. Compel the relevant authority or body to take a certain action
After a decision is annulled, the authority and/or public body must reverse things back to the state prior to when the concerned decision and/or act was executed and reexamine.
How to Appeal
Appeal Information
An Appeal may be filed against the Administrative Court’s first-instance decision within a period of 42 days from the date such decision was given.
At the Supreme Court (Court of Appeal Section) hearing, the contested issue of the appeal remains the legality of the decision or act already adjudicated for. However, such revision of the legality of the decision or act is solely examined on the matters and the extent that the two parties have limited the reasons in the relevant notice of appeal.
The decision adopted by the Supreme Court is considered final in relation to the matter that has been judged.
Legislation & Obligations
Which Laws and Regulations Apply
What are my Obligations
Registered Homes for the Elderly and People with Disabilities are obliged to comply with the provisions of the Homes for the Elderly and Disabled Persons Law, and relevant Regulations, as periodically amended, and specifically, among others, to ensure that the requirements regarding the following are met:
- Staff Members’ Qualifications;
- Premises and equipment;
- Maintenance;
- Carers’ qualifications;
- Resident-staff ratio;
- Resident-space ratio;
- The Certificate of Registration is posted in a conspicuous place of the establishment.
Inspections by District Social Welfare Officers are carried out regularly in order to verify that the Homes for the Elderly and Disabled Persons meet the provisions of the relevant Law and Regulations.