Corporate Plan 2026 - 2031

Introduction

The Care Inspectorate is the assurance and improvement support body for social care services and social work in Scotland.

This means that we:

• register care services for children, young people, adults and older people in Scotland

• inspect these services, using our quality frameworks and the Health and Social Care Standards, and publish our findings

• receive and resolve complaints about registered social care services

• act to support better outcomes when we find that care does not meet people’s needs and wishes

• support ongoing improvement in social care and social work services

• carry out strategic and joint inspections with partners across local areas for services for children and young people, adults, older people and justice.

Our activity is risk-based, proportionate and evidence-led.

This ensures it is targeted where it is needed most while undertaking our statutory responsibilities. Those experiencing care – and their communities – are at the heart of all we do. Our work is informed by their needs and voices.

We work to understand and reflect the different contexts that services operate within, and we continue to learn and improve as an organisation.

We want care to have a positive impact on people’s lives. We are committed to working with services to support the highest possible standards for those experiencing care and support.

We provide public assurance that the quality of care and support in Scotland is meeting people’s needs.

Our sustainability strategy will set out our plan to reduce our emissions and contribute to reaching net zero by 2045.