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Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016

2016 anaw 2 · Enacted 18 January 2016 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 5 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 30 October 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 32AinsertedHealth and Social Care (Wales) Act 2025 s. 17(3)
s. 79(3)(e)words substitutedHealth and Social Care (Wales) Act 2025 s. 18(2)(a)(i)
s. 79(3)(f)words substitutedHealth and Social Care (Wales) Act 2025 s. 18(2)(a)(i)
s. 79(3)(m)insertedHealth and Social Care (Wales) Act 2025 s. 18(2)(a)(ii)
s. 79(3A)insertedHealth and Social Care (Wales) Act 2025 s. 18(2)(b)

C1An Act of the National Assembly for Wales to make provision for the registration and regulation of persons providing care home services, secure accommodation services, residential family centre services, adoption services, fostering services, adult placement services, advocacy services and domiciliary support services; amending the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 in connection with the regulation of the social services functions of local authorities; for the renaming of the Care Council for Wales as Social Care Wales; for Social Care Wales to provide advice and other assistance to persons providing services involving care and support; for the registration, regulation and training of social care workers; and for connected purposes.

[18 January 2016]

Having been passed by the National Assembly for Wales and having received the assent of Her Majesty, it is enacted as follows:

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act modified by 1989 c. 41, Sch. 7 para. 5A (as inserted (2.4.2018) by The Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/195), regs. 2(1), 13(b))

Contents

  1. Part 1: REGULATION OF SOCIAL CARE SERVICES
  2. Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
  3. 1Overview of Part 1
  4. 2Meaning of “regulated service”
  5. 2AMeaning of “restricted children’s service”
  6. 3Other key terms
  7. 4General objectives
  8. Chapter 2: REGISTRATION ETC. OF SERVICE PROVIDERS
  9. Requirement to register
  10. 5Requirement to register
  11. Application for, variation of and cancellation of registration
  12. 6Application for registration as a service provider
  13. 6ARegistration in respect of a restricted children’s service
  14. 6BRegistration in respect of a restricted children’s service: definitions
  15. 6CRegistration in respect of a restricted children’s service: transitional arrangements
  16. 7Grant or refusal of registration as a service provider
  17. 8Duration of domiciliary support visits
  18. 9Fit and proper person: relevant considerations
  19. 9AFit and proper person test: financial arrangements relating to restricted children’s services
  20. 9BFinancial arrangements relating to restricted children’s services: supplementary provision
  21. 10Annual return
  22. 11Application for variation of registration as a service provider
  23. 12Grant or refusal of application for variation
  24. 13Variation without application
  25. 14Application for cancellation of registration as a service provider
  26. 15Cancellation without application
  27. Notice requirements
  28. 16Improvement notices
  29. 17Notice of decision following improvement notice
  30. 18Notice of proposal
  31. 19Notice of decision following notice of proposal
  32. 20Notice of decision without notice of proposal
  33. Responsible individuals
  34. 21Responsible individuals
  35. 22Cancellation of designation of a responsible individual
  36. Urgent action
  37. 23Urgent cancellation or variation of services or places
  38. 24Urgent cancellation or variation: notification and appeals
  39. 25Urgent variation of registration: other conditions
  40. Appeals
  41. 26Appeals
  42. Regulations and guidance
  43. 27Regulations about regulated services
  44. 28Regulations about responsible individuals
  45. 29Guidance about regulations under sections 27 and 28
  46. 30Regulations about service providers who are liquidated etc.
  47. 31Regulations about service providers who have died
  48. Chapter 3: INFORMATION , INSPECTIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS
  49. 32Power to require information
  50. 33Inspections , investigations and inspectors
  51. 34Powers of inspector to enter ... premises
  52. 35Powers of inspector to interview and examine persons
  53. 36Inspection reports
  54. 37Inspection ratings
  55. Chapter 4: GENERAL FUNCTIONS
  56. 38Register of service providers
  57. 39Notifying local authorities of certain action taken under this Part
  58. 40Charging fees
  59. 41Engagement with the public
  60. 42Annual report on regulatory functions
  61. Chapter 5: OFFENCES AND PENALTIES
  62. 43Failure to comply with a condition
  63. 44False descriptions
  64. 45Failure by service provider to comply with requirements in regulations
  65. 46Failure by responsible individual to comply with requirements in regulations
  66. 47False statements
  67. 48Failure to submit or publish annual return
  68. 49Failure to provide information
  69. 50Offences related to inspections and investigations
  70. 51Penalties upon conviction
  71. 52Penalty notices
  72. 53Offences by bodies corporate
  73. 54Offences by unincorporated bodies
  74. 55Proceedings for offences
  75. Chapter 6: LOCAL AUTHORITY SOCIAL SERVICES
  76. 56Reports by local authorities and general duty of the Welsh Ministers
  77. 57Reviews, investigations and inspections
  78. 58Regulation of local authority functions relating to looked after and accommodated children
  79. Chapter 7: MARKET OVERSIGHT Not yet in force
  80. 59Specifying criteria for application of market oversight regime Not yet in force
  81. 60Determining whether criteria apply to service provider Not yet in force
  82. 61Assessment of financial sustainability of service provider Not yet in force
  83. 62Informing local authorities where failure of service provider likely Not yet in force
  84. 63National market stability report Not yet in force
  85. Chapter 8: INTERPRETATION
  86. 64Interpretation of this Part
  87. Part 2: OVERVIEW AND INTERPRETATION OF PARTS 3 TO 8
  88. 65Overview of Parts 3 to 8
  89. 66Interpretation of Parts 3 to 8
  90. Part 3: SOCIAL CARE WALES
  91. Continuation of the Care Council for Wales and its renaming
  92. 67Social Care Wales
  93. SCW's objectives
  94. 68SCW's objectives
  95. Advice and assistance
  96. 69Advice and assistance in relation to care and support services
  97. 70Studies as to economy, efficiency etc.
  98. Engagement with the public etc.
  99. 71Engagement with the public and social care workers
  100. 71AProvision of information – specified state professionals
  101. Policy with respect to bringing criminal proceedings
  102. 72Statement of policy with respect to bringing criminal proceedings
  103. Rules made by SCW under this Act
  104. 73Rules: general
  105. 74Rules: fees
  106. Consultation before making rules etc.
  107. 75Consultation before making rules etc.
  108. Guidance and directions
  109. 76Guidance
  110. 77Directions
  111. Default powers of the Welsh Ministers
  112. 78Default powers of the Welsh Ministers
  113. Part 4: SOCIAL CARE WORKERS
  114. Meaning of “social care worker” etc.
  115. 79Meaning of “social care worker” etc.
  116. The register
  117. 80The register
  118. 81Duty to appoint a registrar
  119. Registration in the social worker part or an added part of the register
  120. 82Application for registration
  121. 83Registration
  122. 83ATemporary registration in emergencies involving loss of human life or human illness etc
  123. “Appropriately qualified”
  124. 84“Appropriately qualified”
  125. 85Qualifications gained outside Wales – social workers
  126. 85AQualifications gained outside Wales – social care managers Repealed
  127. 85BProfessional qualifications – specified state applicants
  128. 85CSpecified state applicants: refusal to recognise professional qualifications
  129. 85DSpecified state applicants: aptitude tests and adaptation periods
  130. Renewal of registration in the social worker part or an added part of the register
  131. 86Renewal of registration
  132. 87Lapse of registration
  133. Dealing with applications for registration or renewal
  134. 88Rules about applications for registration or renewal
  135. 88AApplications for registration: specified state applicants – supplementary provisions
  136. 89Notice of decisions in respect of registration or renewal
  137. Visiting social workers
  138. 90Visiting social workers from relevant European States Repealed
  139. 90AVisiting social care managers from relevant European States Repealed
  140. Information to be contained on the register
  141. 91Content of the register
  142. Removal of entries from the register
  143. 92Removal by agreement
  144. 93Death of a registered person
  145. 94Entries based on false or misleading information
  146. Restoring an entry to the register
  147. 95Duty to restore a register entry
  148. 96Power to restore a register entry
  149. 97Restoration following fitness to practise proceedings
  150. 98Restoration proceedings
  151. 99Review of suspension of right to apply for restoration
  152. 100Rules about applications under section 96 and 97
  153. Appeals to a registration appeals panel
  154. 101Appeals against decisions of the registrar
  155. 102Appeals to the registration appeals panel: procedure
  156. 103Decisions on appeal to the registration appeals panel
  157. Appeals to the tribunal
  158. 104Appeals against decisions of a registration appeals panel
  159. 105Other appeals: decisions made under the General Systems Regulations Repealed
  160. Notifying the registrar of changes to information etc.
  161. 106Duty to notify the registrar of changes to registration information
  162. 107Requests for information relating to fitness to practise
  163. Duty to publish the register etc.
  164. 108Publication etc. of the register
  165. 109Publication of certain registration appeal panel decisions
  166. 110List of persons removed from the register
  167. Protection of title “social worker” etc.
  168. 111Use of title “social worker” etc.
  169. Part 5: SOCIAL CARE WORKERS: STANDARDS OF CONDUCT, EDUCATION ETC.
  170. 112Codes of practice
  171. 113Continuing professional development
  172. 114Approval of courses etc.
  173. 115Inspections in connection with certain courses
  174. 116Other functions of SCW in respect of education and training
  175. Part 6: SOCIAL CARE WORKERS: FITNESS TO PRACTISE
  176. Chapter 1: GROUNDS OF IMPAIRMENT
  177. 117Fitness to practise
  178. Chapter 2: PRELIMINARY PROCEDURES
  179. Preliminary consideration of allegations etc.
  180. 118Referral of allegations etc. of impaired fitness to practise
  181. 119Preliminary consideration
  182. 120Eligibility for onward referral
  183. 121Direct referral to a fitness to practise panel
  184. 122Notice: ineligibility for onward referral
  185. 123Notice: onward referral
  186. 124Notice: referral to an interim orders panel
  187. Investigation
  188. 125Duty to investigate
  189. 126Powers following an investigation
  190. 127Notice: referral or disposal
  191. 128Warnings
  192. 129Undertakings
  193. 130Mediation
  194. Review
  195. 131Review of decisions by SCW
  196. 132Cancellation of referral to fitness to practise panel
  197. 133Referral by SCW for review proceedings
  198. Chapter 3: DISPOSAL OF FITNESS TO PRACTISE CASES
  199. 134Scope and interpretation of Chapter 3
  200. 135Removal from register on consensual basis
  201. 136Other consensual disposal by fitness to practise panel: undertakings
  202. 137Disposals by fitness to practise panel: finding of no impairment
  203. 138Disposals by fitness to practise panel: finding of impairment
  204. 139Disposals: further provision about conditional registration and suspension orders
  205. 140Immediate orders for conditional registration or suspension
  206. 141Fitness to practise decisions: notification and taking effect
  207. 142Regulations about disposals by fitness to practise panels
  208. Chapter 4: INTERIM ORDERS AND REVIEW OF INTERIM ORDERS
  209. 143Scope and interpretation of Chapter 4
  210. 144Interim orders
  211. 145Appeals against interim orders
  212. 146Reviews of interim orders: timing
  213. 147Reviews of interim order: possible decisions
  214. 148Extension of interim order by the tribunal
  215. 149Revocation of interim orders
  216. Chapter 5: REVIEW PROCEEDINGS
  217. 150Review proceedings: interpretation and general
  218. 151Review proceedings
  219. 152Review of undertakings: disposals by fitness to practise panel
  220. 153Review of conditional registration orders: disposals by fitness to practise panel
  221. 154Review of suspension orders: disposals by fitness to practise panel
  222. 155Review of indefinite suspension orders
  223. 156Reviews: further provision about conditional registration and suspension orders
  224. 157Decisions in review cases: notification and taking effect
  225. Chapter 6: APPEALS AND REFERRALS TO THE TRIBUNAL
  226. 158Appeals against decisions of a fitness to practise panel
  227. Chapter 7: GENERAL AND SUPPLEMENTARY
  228. 159Disclosure of information about fitness to practise
  229. 160Power to require information
  230. 161Publication of fitness to practise decisions
  231. 162Guidance about fitness to practise
  232. 163Suspension: supplementary
  233. 164Meaning of “registered person” in Part 6
  234. Part 7: ORDERS PROHIBITING WORK IN SOCIAL CARE: UNREGISTERED PERSONS
  235. 165Designation of regulated activity
  236. 166Conditions for making a prohibition order
  237. 167Interim prohibition orders
  238. 168Prohibition orders: supplementary provision
  239. 169Interim prohibition orders: review
  240. 170Appeals
  241. 171Offences
  242. Supplementary provision
  243. 172List of prohibited persons
  244. 173Standards of conduct
  245. Part 8: SOCIAL CARE WALES: DUTY TO ESTABLISH PANELS ETC.
  246. 174Duty to establish panels etc.
  247. 175Proceedings before panels
  248. Part 9: CO-OPERATION AND JOINT WORKING BY THE REGULATORY BODIES ETC.
  249. 176The regulatory bodies
  250. 177Relevant authorities
  251. 178Co-operation in the exercise of functions
  252. 179Joint exercise of functions
  253. 180Delegating functions to another regulatory body
  254. 181Sharing information
  255. 182Sharing information to protect well-being
  256. Part 10: MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL
  257. 183Inquiries
  258. 184Service of documents etc.
  259. Part 11: FINAL PROVISIONS
  260. 185Minor and consequential amendments
  261. 186Power to make consequential etc. provision
  262. 187Regulations under this Act
  263. 188Coming into force
  264. 189General interpretation
  265. 190Short title
  266. Schedule 1: REGULATED SERVICES: DEFINITIONS
  267. Care home services
  268. 1Paragraph 1
  269. Secure accommodation services
  270. 2Paragraph 2
  271. Residential family centre services
  272. 3Paragraph 3
  273. Adoption services
  274. 4Paragraph 4
  275. Fostering services
  276. 5Paragraph 5
  277. Adult placement services
  278. 6Paragraph 6
  279. Advocacy services
  280. 7Paragraph 7
  281. Domiciliary support services
  282. 8Paragraph 8
  283. Interpretation
  284. 9Paragraph 9
  285. Schedule 1A: RESTRICTED CHILDREN’S SERVICES: TRANSITIONAL REGISTRATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR EXISTING SERVICE PROVIDERS
  286. 1Transitional period in respect of restricted children’s services
  287. 2Existing service providers: exemption from section 6A(1)
  288. 3Regulations about provision of restricted children’s services by existing service providers
  289. 4Existing service providers: application for variation of registration
  290. 5Interpretation
  291. Schedule 2: SOCIAL CARE WALES
  292. Part 1: STATUS
  293. Status
  294. 1Paragraph 1
  295. Part 2: MEMBERSHIP
  296. Members
  297. 2Paragraph 2
  298. Remuneration etc. of members
  299. 3Paragraph 3
  300. Term of office
  301. 4Paragraph 4
  302. Resignation
  303. 5Paragraph 5
  304. Dismissal
  305. 6Paragraph 6
  306. Part 3: GENERAL POWERS
  307. Committees
  308. 7Paragraph 7
  309. Delegation
  310. 8Paragraph 8
  311. Supplementary powers
  312. 9Paragraph 9
  313. Part 4: PROCEEDINGS ETC.
  314. Procedure
  315. 10Paragraph 10
  316. Application of seal
  317. 11Paragraph 11
  318. Evidence
  319. 12Paragraph 12
  320. Part 5: CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND OTHER STAFF
  321. Chief executive and other staff
  322. 13Paragraph 13
  323. Part 6: FINANCIAL MATTERS AND ANNUAL REPORTS ETC.
  324. Payments by the Welsh Ministers
  325. 14Paragraph 14
  326. Accounting officer
  327. 15Paragraph 15
  328. Accounts and audit
  329. 16Paragraph 16
  330. Annual reports etc.
  331. 17Paragraph 17
  332. Schedule 3: MINOR AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS
  333. Part 1: REGULATION OF SERVICES
  334. Care Standards Act 2000
  335. 1Paragraph 1
  336. 2Paragraph 2
  337. 3Paragraph 3
  338. 4Paragraph 4
  339. 5Paragraph 5
  340. 6Paragraph 6
  341. 7Paragraph 7
  342. 8Paragraph 8
  343. 9Paragraph 9
  344. 10Paragraph 10
  345. 11Paragraph 11
  346. 12Paragraph 12
  347. 13Paragraph 13
  348. 14Paragraph 14
  349. 15Paragraph 15
  350. 16Paragraph 16
  351. Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003
  352. 17Paragraph 17
  353. 18Paragraph 18
  354. 19Paragraph 19
  355. 20Paragraph 20
  356. Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004
  357. 21Paragraph 21
  358. 22Paragraph 22
  359. 23Paragraph 23
  360. Children Act 2004
  361. 24Paragraph 24
  362. Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005
  363. 25Paragraph 25
  364. 26Paragraph 26
  365. 27Paragraph 27
  366. Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
  367. 28Paragraph 28
  368. Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014
  369. 29Paragraph 29
  370. 30Paragraph 30
  371. 31Paragraph 31
  372. 32Paragraph 32
  373. 33Paragraph 33
  374. 34Paragraph 34
  375. 35Paragraph 35
  376. 36Paragraph 36
  377. Part 2: SOCIAL CARE WALES
  378. Mental Health Act 1983
  379. 37Paragraph 37
  380. 38Paragraph 38
  381. 39Paragraph 39
  382. Care Standards Act 2000
  383. 40Paragraph 40
  384. 41Paragraph 41
  385. 42Paragraph 42
  386. 43Paragraph 43
  387. 44Paragraph 44
  388. Adoption and Children Act 2002
  389. 45Paragraph 45
  390. 46Paragraph 46
  391. Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004
  392. 47Paragraph 47
  393. 48Paragraph 48
  394. Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005
  395. 49Paragraph 49
  396. 50Paragraph 50
  397. Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Act 2006
  398. 51Paragraph 51
  399. 52Paragraph 52
  400. Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
  401. 53Paragraph 53
  402. 54Paragraph 54
  403. 55Paragraph 55
  404. 56Paragraph 56
  405. Health and Social Care Act 2008
  406. 57Paragraph 57
  407. 58Paragraph 58
  408. Part 3: MISCELLANEOUS
  409. Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005
  410. 59Paragraph 59
  411. Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014
  412. 60Paragraph 60
  413. 61Paragraph 61
  414. 62Paragraph 62
  415. 63Paragraph 63
  416. 64Paragraph 64
  417. 65Paragraph 65