Care Inspectorate Wales ratings explained

Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) registers and inspects social care services in Wales under the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016. Since 1 April 2025 it has published ratings for care homes and domiciliary support services (home care).

The four themes

• Well-being: how people are supported to have control, stay healthy and take part in what matters to them
• Care and support: the quality and safety of care
• Environment: the building and facilities (care homes)
• Leadership and management: how the service is run and overseen

The rating levels

Each theme is rated Excellent, Good, Requires improvement or Requires significant improvement. There is no single overall rating. On The Care Panel we show the lowest theme rating for each service, so “Good or better in every theme rated” means no theme is below Good.

Inspections and reports

Inspections are usually unannounced. Reports describe what inspectors saw and heard, list areas for improvement, and may set out where the service is not compliant with the regulations, which CIW follows up. Check the inspection date: ratings are given at inspection, so a recent inspection tells you more.

What to check

1. The rating for each theme, and the date.
2. Any areas where the service is not compliant, and whether they have been put right.
3. What people living in the home and their families told inspectors.
4. The language the service works in: many services in Wales work through Welsh.

Find rated services in Wales

Every care home and home care service in Wales is listed with its CIW ratings at care in Wales. See also care home fees in Wales.

Reviewed by The Care Panel team on 27 October 2026. This guide is general information about care in England, not legal, medical or financial advice. Rules and rates change; check with your council or an adviser before making decisions.