Care Inspectorate

We are the official body responsible for inspecting standards of care in Scotland.

That means we regulate and inspect care services to make sure they meet the right standards. We also carry out joint inspections with other regulators to check how well different organisations in local areas are working to support adults and children. We help ensure social work, including criminal justice social work, meets high standards.

Everyone is entitled to safe, high quality, compassionate care that meets their needs. It is against the law for care services to operate unless they register with us.

Our 600 staff work across Scotland. Specialist inspectors visit thousands of care services every year. We grade their quality, require them to improve if necessary, and investigate complaints. Teams of our inspectors work with colleagues from health, education and justice to carry our joint inspections across local areas.

Our formal name, Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS) is set out in legislation so will not change.

We are an independent organisation with our own Board responsible for our governance. We are funded by the registration and continuation fees we charge and by the Scottish Government