Registration and Inspection

RQIA is responsible for registering, inspecting and encouraging improvement in a range of health and social care services delivered by statutory and independent providers, in accordance with The Health and Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement and Regulation)(Northern Ireland) Order 2003 and its supporting regulations. 

The services we regulate include residential care homes; nursing homes; children's homes; independent health care providers; nursing agencies; adult placement agencies; domiciliary care agencies; residential family centres; day care settings; and boarding schools.

Any person who carries on or manages such an establishment or care service must make an application to RQIA, and once granted, we issue a certificate of registration to the applicant.  RQIA maintains a register of all approved establishments and care services.

Within Northern Ireland there are four health and social services boards who plan, commission and purchase services.  Five health and social care trusts are the providers of service, managing staff, services and budgets.