If you intend to provide a regulated care service in Wales, you must register with Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) before you begin operating. It is a criminal offence to provide a regulated service without registration under the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 (RISCA).
This applies to care home services, domiciliary support services, secure accommodation services, residential family centre services, and adoption and fostering services. Even if you hold CQC registration in England, you must register separately with CIW to operate in Wales.
Registration typically takes 12 to 16 weeks from receipt of a complete application, though complex applications may take longer. Begin the process well before your intended opening date.
Before you apply
Before submitting a registration application, you must appoint a Responsible Individual (RI) and identify a suitable service manager. These are distinct roles under RISCA 2016 and both must satisfy CIW's fitness requirements.
How to register with CIW
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1. Confirm your service type requires registration
Check whether your proposed service is a regulated service under RISCA 2016. Contact CIW on 0300 7900 126 or email ciw@gov.wales if you are unsure whether your service requires registration.
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2. Appoint a Responsible Individual
If the service provider is an organisation (not an individual), you must designate a Responsible Individual. This person must be a director, trustee, or equivalent officer of the organisation and must satisfy the fitness requirements set out in the 2017 Regulations. The RI is personally accountable for the service's compliance.
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3. Identify your service manager
Appoint a manager for each location. The manager must be fit and proper, hold appropriate qualifications, and register with Social Care Wales within the required timescale for the relevant worker category.
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4. Prepare your Statement of Purpose
Draft a Statement of Purpose setting out the service's aims, objectives, range of needs you intend to meet, and how you will deliver care. CIW publishes a template. This document is assessed during the application and must be kept up to date after registration.
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5. Complete the CIW application form
Download the application pack from the CIW website. Complete all sections including: provider details, RI and manager details, premises information, staffing arrangements, financial viability evidence, and DBS disclosures for all relevant persons.
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6. Pay the registration fee
Submit the applicable registration fee with your application. Fees vary by service type and size. The fee is non-refundable even if your application is refused.
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7. Respond to CIW queries and arrange premises inspection
CIW will review your application and may request further information. A CIW inspector will visit your premises before granting registration. Ensure premises meet the relevant minimum standards for your service type.
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8. Receive registration decision
CIW will either grant registration (with or without conditions), or refuse. If refused, you have 28 days to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Health, Education and Social Care Chamber).
After registration
Once registered, you must:
- Display your CIW registration certificate at the premises
- Keep your Statement of Purpose up to date and provide a copy to CIW whenever it changes
- Notify CIW of notifiable events (deaths, serious injuries, safeguarding incidents, changes of manager or RI)
- Submit an annual return to CIW
- Prepare for CIW inspections under the new inspection framework
- Ensure all staff register with Social Care Wales within the required timescales