Specialist Care Inspectorate registration support for care providers in Scotland and Wales
Scotland and Wales have separate regulators and separate law, and a CQC registration does not cover either. We handle Care Inspectorate registration in Scotland and CIW registration in Wales, including your service plan, policies and fit person interview, from £1,295.
Two regulators, two regulatory frameworks
Although CQC, the Care Inspectorate and CIW are often spoken about in the same breath, the Scottish and Welsh systems are legally and operationally distinct. Each has its own statutory basis, application portal, evidence requirements and inspection methodology.
In Scotland, services register with the Care Inspectorate under the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 and are assessed against the Health and Social Care Standards. In Wales, services register with Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) through CIW Online, under the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016, known as RISCA.
You can't reuse a Scottish application in Wales (or the other way round), and you can't reuse a CQC application in either. Each system has its own terminology, evidence standards and Responsible Individual or Manager requirements. We work in both jurisdictions and turn the differences into clear, ready-to-submit applications.
Sources: Care Inspectorate: Register a care service; CIW: Registering a service.
What is Care Inspectorate registration?
Registration is the legal requirement for any care provider in Scotland or Wales to be approved by the relevant national regulator before they can lawfully deliver regulated care. Here is a side-by-side comparison of the two systems.
| Scotland | Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | Care Inspectorate | Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) |
| Legal basis | Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 | Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 (RISCA) |
| Standards | Health and Social Care Standards | National Minimum Standards and Quality Framework |
| Application | Care Inspectorate portal | CIW Online |
| Key roles | Provider, Manager | Service Provider, Responsible Individual (RI), Manager |
Who needs to register?
If you're delivering regulated care in Scotland or Wales, you must be registered with the relevant regulator before you start. We support providers across both nations and all the major service categories below.
Adult care services
Care homes and support-at-home services for adults across Scotland.
Book a free scoping call
Housing support
Tenancy support and supported-living services for adults.
View the package
Childcare services
Daycare, childminding and early learning services.
Book a free scoping call
Residential children's services
Children's homes, residential schools, fostering and adoption.
Book a free scoping call
Domiciliary support
Home care services regulated under RISCA in Wales.
Book a free scoping call
Care homes
Residential adult care services across Wales.
Book a free scoping callChildren's services
Children's homes, fostering and adoption agencies in Wales.
Book a free scoping callSpecialist services
Secure accommodation and residential family centres.
Book a free scoping callRegistering in Scotland?
We have fixed-price packages for these Care Inspectorate service types. For anything else, book a scoping call below.
Care at Home and Supported Living
Care at home and housing support services in Scotland, including supported living, registered with the Care Inspectorate.
View the packageAfter-School Clubs
Out of school care and after-school clubs in Scotland, registered with the Care Inspectorate as day care of children.
View the packageNot sure which regulator applies to your service? Book a free 30-minute scoping call and we'll confirm within the call.
Care Inspectorate registration in five stages
Our methodology is the same in both nations, but the underlying frameworks differ. We adapt the approach to whichever regulator applies, Scotland or Wales, using the right standards, terminology and evidence requirements throughout.
- 1
Diagnostic
Service model assessment and regulator mapping (Scotland or Wales).
- 2
Strategic build
Statement of Purpose, policies, and a business plan with 2-year financial forecasts.
- 3
Application
Care Inspectorate portal or CIW Online forms completed and reviewed.
- 4
Interview prep
Mock interview for the Manager (and RI in Wales) with structured feedback.
- 5
Iterate to approval
If the regulator queries or requests amendments, we diagnose, rebuild and refile. Free resubmissions included, as many as it takes until your application reaches an inspector.
A realistic registration timeline
Both regulators publish target processing times, but real-world timelines depend on application quality and the regulator's current capacity. Typical end-to-end registration in either nation takes 4 to 6 months.
What every Care Inspectorate registration package includes
Every package, regardless of service type, includes the following as standard.
Initial diagnostic
Free consultation, regulator mapping, timeline planning.
Bespoke documentation
Statement of Purpose, all registration policies, 2-year business plan.
All forms
Provider and Manager forms, plus Responsible Individual forms in Wales.
Premises readiness
Suitability and safety checks for residential services.
Interview preparation
Mock interview for the Manager and RI (where applicable).
Query handling
We handle regulator queries and information requests on your behalf.
24/7 access
WhatsApp support throughout your engagement.
Documents in 24 to 48 hours
Your document pack, ready within 24 to 48 hours once we have your details.
All packages subject to terms and conditions.
Care Inspectorate registration packages
Three transparent packages by service type, applicable across Scotland and Wales.
Care at home & domiciliary
For home care and tenancy support providers: Scotland's housing support and Wales' domiciliary support services.
- Full registration documentation
- Unlimited free resubmissions
- Support to registration
Care home & residential
For adult residential care services: care homes in Scotland and Wales, including premises and staffing setup.
- Premises readiness check
- Manager and RI interview prep
- Support to registration
Children's services
For children's homes, fostering and adoption services: the most complex registration in both Scotland and Wales.
- Safeguarding-specific documents
- Fit person interview prep
- Support to registration
All packages subject to terms and conditions.
Two ways to pay
Staged 50/50: 50% to begin and 50% when your application is submitted to the Care Inspectorate. Or save 10% with a single upfront payment.
Common reasons applications stall
The most common pitfalls we see, and how our methodology addresses each.
!Using English or CQC terminology in Scottish or Welsh applications
CQC language doesn't translate. Scottish applications need Health and Social Care Standards language; Welsh applications need RISCA terminology. Mismatches read as inexperience.
!Underprepared Manager (or Responsible Individual in Wales)
Underperformance at the fit person interview is a leading cause of delay. Wales especially requires both a Responsible Individual and a Manager to clear interviews.
!Thin business plan and financial viability evidence
Both regulators expect credible 2-year financial projections, market analysis, and evidence the service can operate sustainably.
!Generic Statement of Purpose
A Statement of Purpose copied from a template (or from a CQC submission) won't pass scrutiny in either Scotland or Wales.
Real outcomes from our clients
Anonymised summaries, covering both Scotland and Wales engagements.
Care home · Edinburgh, ScotlandRegistered first time, 5 months total
Adult care home applying to the Care Inspectorate. Full documentation pack and Manager interview prep. Approved on first submission within the Care Inspectorate's standard processing window.
Domiciliary support · Cardiff, WalesApproved after a CIW query round, 6 months total
Domiciliary support service applying through CIW Online. The first submission generated queries on Responsible Individual fitness evidence. Rebuilt and resubmitted; approved on second submission.
Housing support · Glasgow, ScotlandFirst-time approval, 4 months total
Tenancy support service for adults with mental health needs. Approved on first submission with documentation aligned to the Health and Social Care Standards and a well-prepared Manager interview.
Care Inspectorate registration: your questions
Do you support providers in both Scotland and Wales?
What's the difference between the Care Inspectorate and CIW?
Can I reuse a CQC application in Scotland or Wales?
How long does registration take?
What is the Responsible Individual in Wales?
What are the Health and Social Care Standards?
Do I need a registered office in Scotland or Wales?
What happens after registration?
Can I appeal a refusal?
Ready to start your Care Inspectorate or CIW registration?
No obligation. We give you an honest assessment of your readiness, as well as the Care Inspectorate registration support you actually need.