Care Sector Information - Northern Ireland

Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) 

The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) is the independent regulator for health and social care services in Northern Ireland. It monitors and inspects the availability and quality of services, including care homes, and works to encourage continuous improvement. 

RQIA holds up-to-date information on all registered health and social care services in Northern Ireland, including nursing homes, residential care homes, and domiciliary care agencies. Inspection reports for each service are publicly available through an online directory, which can be searched by name, care category, geographical area, or postcode. 

Inspections are underpinned by: 

• The Residential Care Homes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 

• DHSSPS Residential Care Homes Minimum Standards (2011) 

Inspections and reports are structured around four key domains: 

• Is care safe? 

• Is care effective? 

• Is care compassionate? 
• Is the service well-led?
   

Further information on mandatory training requirements for regulated services can be found on the RQIA website.

Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) 

The Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) is the regulator for the social care workforce. Its role is to: 

• Register social care workers. 

• Set standards for their training and practice. 

• Support professional development across the workforce. 

NISCC is a non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department of Health, and was established under the Health and Personal Social Services Act (Northern Ireland) 2001. 

Under Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland 2013 No. 225, it is an offence to employ a person in the following roles if they are not registered with NISCC: 

• Social care workers in adult residential homes, nursing homes, and children’s homes. 

• Managers of residential care homes, day care settings, or domiciliary care settings. 

• Social workers. 

• Social work students. 

• Social care workers in day care, supported living, and domiciliary care settings. 

NISCC Standards of Conduct and Practice 

The NISCC’s Standards of Conduct and Practice form the core regulatory framework for social work and social care staff in Northern Ireland. 

• The Standards of Conduct describe the values, attitudes, and behaviours expected of workers in their day-to-day roles. 

• The Standards of Practice outline the knowledge and skills required for competent and safe practice. 

All registrants receive a copy of these Standards when their application is approved. Digital copies are available on the NISCC website. 

CareTutor offers a range of training courses for both the Home Care and Care Home sectors, which are aligned to RQIA mandatory training requirements and the NISCC Standards of Conduct and Practice. The official regulations and workforce standards are owned and published by RQIA and NISCC. 

2025 Social Care Learning & Development – What’s New and How CareTutor Helps

1. Social Care Workforce Strategy 2025 – 2035 & Care in Practice Framework (CiP)

Northern Ireland has launched its first-ever Social Care Workforce Strategy, setting out how to attract, support, and grow a respected, well-trained social care workforce. A central part of this is the Care in Practice (CiP) Framework, which establishes clear career pathways, learning routes, and the new Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice as a core induction qualification.

👉 10-year Social Care Workforce Strategy

Why it matters:
This is a landmark shift, giving social care staff trusted routes for induction and career progression while raising sector-wide professional standards.

How CareTutor helps:
We can provide tailored training that aligns to the CiP framework, from induction through to advanced practice, combined with tracking, LMS reporting, and certification to support structured development and workforce planning.

2. Interactive CiP Web Resource (Launched June 2025)

A new interactive career tool is now live on the NISCC site, providing flexible, user-friendly access to CiP’s learning and qualification pathways. It includes summaries, case studies, films, and practical guidance to help practitioners plan their careers in social care. 

👉 NISCC

Why it matters:
This digital tool engages learners, ensuring they clearly understand their progression options and how to reach them.

How CareTutor helps:
CareTutor’s online courses complement the tool by delivering the learning those career pathways require, with visual, engaging content, plus tracking and evidence of completion.

Summary

Northern Ireland is making real strides by investing in workforce standards, pathways, and capacity. The Care in Practice Framework and accompanying tools provide structure; the new interactive resource makes learning more accessible; and ongoing investment builds future workforce strength.

CareTutor fits seamlessly into this evolving landscape, bringing engaging, tracked, and accredited training that supports everyone, from new practitioners starting their CiP journey to experienced staff seeking ongoing development.