Annual return
The Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 requires registered service providers to submit an annual return following the end of each financial year.
Submission
The annual returns must be submitted by service providers who operate any of the following:
- Care home services
- Domiciliary services
- Secure accommodation services
- Residential family centre services
- Regulated fostering services
- Regulated adoption services
- Regulated advocacy services
- Adult placement services
- Special school residential services
The following types of service do not need to submit any annual returns:
- Local authority fostering services
- Local authority adoption services
- Further education colleges
- Boarding schools
The information contained within the annual returns is set out within the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 and the Regulated Services (Annual Returns) (Wales) Regulations 2017.
Getting prepared
- The Annual Return system will be accessible via your CIW Online account from 1 April and close on 26 May 2026.
- To ensure your annual returns are submitted on time please log in to your CIW Online account before the 1 April to ensure your service details are accurate and up to date.
- Only Responsible Individual(s) or organisational officer(s) associated to the provider who have activated their CIW Online account can submit the annual return.
Help and support
We will publish updated guidance and a frequently asked questions document before 1 April. These resources will help you understand the new requirements and guide you through the process.
If you have any questions in the meantime, contact us:
- Email: CIW@gov.wales
- Phone: 300 7900 126