Care Inspectorate Wales’ Annual Report shows strong quality of care although sector pressures remain
Our latest annual report shows most care and childcare services in Wales are delivering good or excellent outcomes, but warns these standards cannot be taken for granted amid sustained workforce and system pressures.
Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) has today published its Chief Inspector's Annual Report for 2025 to 2026, showing the majority of social care and childcare services in Wales are delivering good or excellent outcomes for the people who use them, while highlighting continuing pressures across the system.
The report shows that 90% of ratings awarded to adult care homes, domiciliary support services and children's care homes were 'good' or 'excellent', with 80% of childcare and play ratings reaching the same standard.
"Behind every inspection finding and every rating is a person whose experience matters. Good care cannot be taken for granted, it demands sustained attention to leadership, staffing and safeguarding. But I have been encouraged this year by the dedication, skill and humanity shown right across the sector, and by people telling us they feel safe, listened to and cared for"
Gillian Baranski. Chief Inspector at Care Inspectorate Wales.
However, the report is clear that quality remains uneven, and the sector continues to operate under sustained pressure. Persistent risks were identified around leadership, governance, management and staffing.