The Care Inspectorate has become the first public sector body in Scotland to achieve and be recognised for excellence in good governance from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, and the first regulator anywhere in the UK to do so.

It means the social care scrutiny and improvement body has proven it puts good governance at the heart of its organisation.

Welcoming the award, Scotland’s Public Health Minister Aileen Campbell said: “The Scottish Government is committed to providing high-quality public services and the Care Inspectorate is to be congratulated for achieving this prestigious award.

“CIPFA’s Governance Mark of Excellence demonstrates that the Care Inspectorate has the right systems and processes in place to run an effective organisation, which is what the people of Scotland have right to expect.

“This independent assessment gives a high degree of assurance inside and outside the organisation that governance has been considered carefully and implemented well.

“I am delighted that one of Scotland’s leading public bodies has been recognised in this way and congratulate everyone involved in making this happen.”

Paul Edie, chair of the Care Inspectorate said: “We are delighted to be the first Scottish public sector body to achieve this award, and the first regulator across the United Kingdom to do so. Being recognised in this way following a rigorous and continuous assessment process is testament to the importance the Care Inspectorate Board and its staff place on putting the needs of people who experience care and their carers at the heart of our work.”

Karen Reid, chief executive of the Care Inspectorate “The Care Inspectorate has a critical role in Scottish society to make sure that our most vulnerable people in Scotland experience high-quality care that reflects their needs and promotes their rights.

“We have a major role in improving the quality of life for children, adults and older people so it is vital that our organisation has excellent governance, leadership and uses its resources in the most effective way.

“I want all the Care Inspectorate’s work to be open and transparent, so people have faith that we are putting people’s needs and rights, and the quality of care they experience, at the centre of all that we do.

“We can only do this if we are well run, with the right approach to the way in which we lead and manage our work. I’m absolutely delighted that we have been recognised in this way by CIPFA and would like to thank all our staff and volunteers, providers, commissioners and partners who have worked so hard to help make the Care Inspectorate the organisation that it has become.”

Don Peebles, Head of Devolved Nations at CIPFA said: “We are extremely pleased to be awarding the Care Inspectorate with CIPFA’s Governance Mark of Excellence, the first public sector body in Scotland to receive it and the first regulator in the UK.

“Following a rigorous assessment period over the course of a year, the Inspectorate has demonstrated how it is modelling best practice in governance as recommended by the CIPFA and the International Federation of Accountants’ (IFAC) Good Governance Framework.

“This award is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate a well-governed organisation. And we are delighted that the Care Inspectorate is being recognised as one of them. We now look forward to continuing to support the body on its governance journey.”