Welsh Ministers have made the Regulated Services (Registration) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, signed on 12 January 2026 and commencing on 1 April 2026. The instrument adjusts the 2017 framework to give effect to section 6A of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016, inserted by the Health and Social Care (Wales) Act 2025, which limits new registrations for specified children’s services to local authorities and qualifying not‑for‑profit bodies. “Restricted children’s services” are defined as children’s home services, fostering services and secure accommodation services. ([legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asc/2025/1?utm_source=openai))
The Regulations insert definitions into the 2017 principal Regulations for “not‑for‑profit entity” and for four eligible organisational forms, and update the meaning of “applicant” to include those seeking to become subject to section 6A via section 6C and Schedule 1A. Welsh Government material describes the four permitted forms as a charitable company limited by guarantee without share capital, a charitable incorporated organisation, a charitable registered society and a community interest company limited by guarantee without share capital. ([gov.wales](https://www.gov.wales/written-statement-consultations-support-implementation-health-and-social-care-wales-act-2025?utm_source=openai))
A new regulation 3B requires additional information when applying to register a restricted children’s service. Welsh Ministers may waive elements of Schedule 1 information where the applicant is a not‑for‑profit entity taking over the same restricted service at the same place from an existing provider and sufficient information about that service is already held. The provision is intended to support continuity where services transfer to qualifying providers.
Variation processes are tightened. An application to vary registration under section 6C and paragraph 4 of Schedule 1A must include information listed in paragraphs 7 and 7A of Schedule 1. Regulation 12 confirms that applications to vary-including those under section 6C-must be submitted through the Welsh Government’s online route, aligning with the existing online requirement for variation applications in the 2017 Regulations. ([legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2017/1098?utm_source=openai))
New regulations on cancellation standardise content and form. A provider seeking to cancel registration must specify the proposed effective date and give reasons, explain how statutory requirements made under section 27 will be met until the service ceases, and detail who has been notified, including service users, the relevant local authority and the Local Health Board. Cancellation applications must also be submitted online.
Schedule 1 is updated for corporate applicants. Where the applicant is a body corporate (other than a local authority or Local Health Board), the information now includes registered and principal office details, electronic mail and telephone contacts, company number and, where relevant, charity number. If the applicant is a subsidiary, particulars of the holding company and other subsidiaries are required. The term “exempt charity” follows section 22 of the Charities Act 2011.
For restricted children’s services provided by a not‑for‑profit entity, a new paragraph 7A of Schedule 1 sets out the constitutional and evidential documents to be submitted to show compliance with section 6A. Welsh Government’s consultation materials emphasised the need for Care Inspectorate Wales (acting for Welsh Ministers) to obtain sufficient information and assurance to determine eligibility under the not‑for‑profit conditions. ([gov.wales](https://www.gov.wales/consultation-removing-profit-childrens-care-html?utm_source=openai))
Transitional provisions are already in place. Under the Health and Social Care (Wales) Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2025, applications lodged by 31 March 2026 that remain undecided on 1 April 2026 are to be treated as if section 6A were not yet in force. Care Inspectorate Wales has separately confirmed 31 March 2026 as the cut‑off for submitting applications to register or vary to add restricted children’s services or places under the current regime. ([legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2025/1257/made?utm_source=openai))
For providers, the direction of travel is clear. From 1 April 2026, new registrations for children’s homes, fostering and secure accommodation are available only to local authorities and permitted not‑for‑profit entities, and existing for‑profit operators will not be able to vary registration to add new services or places. Commissioners should plan placements on the basis of these constraints. ([legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asc/2025/1?utm_source=openai))
In practical terms, providers should confirm organisational status against section 6A categories, assemble governing documents to meet the new Schedule 1 requirements, align statements of purpose, and ensure access to the Welsh Government’s online application system for any variation or cancellation. Care Inspectorate Wales’ enforcement policy reiterates that operating a regulated service without registration is an offence. ([careinspectorate.wales](https://www.careinspectorate.wales/securing-improvement-and-enforcement-policy-html?utm_source=openai))