A new inspection ratings system for care services in Wales comes
into force on 1 April to help ensure people receive the best
possible care.
Ratings will help people better understand the quality of care
provided, making it easier for individuals and families to make
informed decisions about their care options.
All care homes and domiciliary support services across Wales will
be given ratings and most required to display them at their
premises and online, following an inspection.
The ratings will reflect the quality of care across four key
themes: Well-being; Care and Support; Leadership and Management;
Environment.
Each theme will be judged as being excellent, good, requires
improvement or requires significant improvement.
The Welsh Government consulted on inspection ratings for care
home services and domiciliary support services last year.
The new system has been developed in close collaboration with
care providers and commissioners across Wales and will help drive
high quality standards across care services.
Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) will support services through the
implementation of the new system. Ratings will be clearly shown
in inspection reports, on CIW's website and on posters for the
service provider to display.
Over the coming months, more and more services will be displaying
their ratings, however it will take up to two years for all
relevant services to be inspected and given their ratings.
The new system represents an important step change in supporting
continuous improvement.
Minister for Children and Social Care, said: “Care services
throughout Wales have a crucial role in looking after people. For
many of them, a care service can also be their home, where they
live and thrive, and we want to keep ensuring they receive the
best possible care.
“These ratings will enable people to make important decisions in
choosing what's right for them and support their well-being.
“They will also enable service providers to pinpoint their
strengths as well as areas for growth and development.
“I want to thank the sector for their work in helping us develop
the system.”
Chief Inspector at Care Inspectorate Wales, Gillian Baranski
said: “This new ratings system will help people make informed
choices about care services while supporting providers to
continuously enhance the quality of care they deliver.
"Most care in Wales is good care. Ratings will highlight what is
working well and support improvement where needed across Wales.”
Notes to editors
- The new system is introduced under The Regulated Services
(Inspection Ratings) (Wales) Regulations 2025
- All care homes for children, and care homes for adults with
four or fewer people living at the service are exempt from the
requirement to display inspection ratings at their premises. This
is to retain a homely environment.
- Domiciliary support services where the location is not
accessible to the public, or the service is provided from
someone's private home are also exempt.
- Care Inspectorate Wales is the independent regulator of
social care and childcare in Wales
- All providers will have to display their rating on their
website (where they have one) and make them available upon
request.
