Care transforms lives for the better – Chief Inspector’s Annual Report 2023-2024

The Chief Inspector’s Annual Report revealed that nearly three-quarters of ratings awarded to care homes and domiciliary support services were ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ during 2023-2024. We awarded 3,106 (74%) ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ ratings, while 1,078 (26%) of our ratings were ‘needs improvement’ or ‘poor’.

We are currently using unpublished ratings for care homes and domiciliary support services, before moving to published ratings on 1 April 2025.

These figures were also reflected in childcare and play settings, with 77% of all ratings awarded being either ‘good’ or ‘excellent’.

Gillian Baranski, Chief Inspector for Care Inspectorate Wales said in today’s report:

“Too often, when children’s or adult social care services are in the spotlight, they tend to be presented as ‘broken’ services in need of fixing.

“While we all recognise the many pressures on the system, we regularly see care at its best - transforming lives for the better.

“Despite demand, we have a very dedicated workforce. Not only that, but care and support can help to maintain people’s relationships and connections with family and friends; support the economy; and enable parents and unpaid carers to go to work.”

The report highlights cross cutting issues requiring collective consideration:

• Our inspections continue to show the crucial part leaders play in creating an environment in which people can thrive. The better performing services tend to be those that support and inspire their team to do the very best for the people in their care. Our call to action is for ‘leaders at all levels in care services to be compassionate, motivating and inspire their teams. They should listen to staff and give them the tools and support they need to provide the best possible care for people.
• Having a positive culture is closely associated with a commitment to continuous improvement, underpinned by reflection and learning. We will continue to support improvement by giving ratings in our inspections, by identifying positive practice in our reports, and by developing new ways of publicising and sharing this positive practice. Our call to action is ‘positive practice should be shared by those providing services and by Care Inspectorate Wales, so a culture of continued improvement and reflection is developed and celebrated.’
• Outcomes for people are significantly improved and change is achieved at a system level when we work in partnership to deliver shared goals. Our call to action is ‘organisations and groups working in care should create and seize opportunities to work in partnership with one another.’

However, the report does not shy away from the significant challenges facing the social care, and childcare and play sectors. The current economic climate continues to be difficult for providers and the impact of the pandemic is still felt, which makes it more remarkable so many services do so well in our inspections, said the Chief Inspector.

You can read the full report by clicking the link at the bottom of this page.