Guide

CIW inspection preparation checklist

Verification checklist for CIW inspection readiness. Covers Statement of Purpose, Responsible Individual duties, staff qualifications and Social Care Wales registration, care documentation, Welsh language provision, premises and environment, and safeguarding arrangements.

Healthcare & Social Care Wales

Use this checklist to verify that your service is ready for a CIW inspection. CIW inspects against the requirements of RISCA 2016 and the 2017 Regulations, focusing on well-being outcomes for service users. Work through each section and resolve any gaps before the inspection.

  1. Current CIW registration certificate is displayed at the premises

  2. Statement of Purpose is up to date and reflects current service provision

  3. Statement of Purpose has been provided to CIW following any changes

  4. Responsible Individual has visited the service at least quarterly and produced a written report each time

  5. RI annual quality of care review has been completed, consulted on, and sent to CIW

  6. Organisational chart is current and accessible

  7. Insurance certificates are valid (employer liability, public liability, professional indemnity where applicable)

  8. Previous CIW inspection report requirements have been addressed

  9. Annual return has been submitted to CIW on time

  1. All staff have current DBS checks on file

  2. Staff in registrable roles are registered with Social Care Wales (or within the allowed registration period)

  3. Mandatory training records are complete and up to date for all staff

  4. All staff have completed Welsh language awareness training

  5. Supervision records are on file for each staff member at the required frequency

  6. Annual appraisals have been completed for all staff

  7. Staff rota demonstrates adequate staffing levels for current service users

  8. Induction records are complete for all staff who started within the last six months

  9. Service manager is registered with Social Care Wales and meets fitness requirements

  1. Every service user has a current personal plan reviewed at least every three months

  2. Personal plans include evidence of service user and family involvement

  3. Risk assessments are current and reflect each individual's needs

  4. Medication records are accurate with no unexplained gaps

  5. Incident and accident records are maintained and show follow-up actions

  6. Restraint records (where applicable) are documented with justification and review

  7. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) authorisations are in place where applicable

  1. Welsh language needs of each service user have been assessed and recorded

  2. Active Offer of Welsh language services is in place (services offered in Welsh without requiring the person to ask)

  3. Signage and key documents are available bilingually (Welsh and English)

  4. Staff with Welsh language skills are identified and deployed to meet service users' language needs

  5. Recruitment processes consider Welsh language skills for roles involving direct care

  1. Fire risk assessment is current and reviewed annually

  2. Fire safety equipment is serviced and tested (extinguishers, alarms, emergency lighting)

  3. Fire drills have been conducted and recorded at the required frequency

  4. Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) are in place for service users who need them

  5. Premises are clean, well-maintained, and free from hazards

  6. Infection prevention and control measures are in place and audited

  7. Equipment maintenance logs are current

  8. Environmental risk assessments are documented

  1. Complaints procedure is displayed and accessible to service users in Welsh and English

  2. Complaints log is maintained with evidence of investigation and outcome within 20 working days

  3. Safeguarding policy is current and staff know the reporting procedure

  4. Safeguarding concerns have been reported to the local authority and CIW as required

  5. Whistleblowing policy is in place and staff know how to raise concerns

If you answered 'no' to any items above, address these gaps before your CIW inspection. For detailed compliance guidance, see RISCA 2016 compliance requirements. For enforcement consequences, see CIW enforcement response guide.

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