Article by Marie Paterson. Marie is a chief inspector of adults at the Care Inspectorate
Everything the Care Inspectorate does involves listening. We cannot support the sector to make improvements without first knowing the challenges and successes you face.
That is what makes Care Standard Questionnaires so important. Care workers and staff work hard every day to provide the best possible care, and we know that your insights are crucial for making sure that care services meet people’s needs. We send out online questionnaires via all managers for sharing with people who experience care, relatives, and staff as well as paper questionnaires for anyone who prefers these.
That is why we’re asking for the care sector’s help. Every year, we distribute thousands of care standard questionnaires to people who experience care, their families, and their carers, but unfortunately, we have seen an increase in the number not being returned. This is a missed opportunity to make a difference.
Like all organisations, we monitor our paper usage, and we take any opportunity we can to reduce wastage. Of course, there are online options too that are often even easier to use for those able to access them, but people have told us they need both options to meet people’s needs.
The feedback we get is important to us, and when it is gathered, helps us in a big way. These questionnaires go beyond simple checklists; they are designed to capture the genuine experiences and outcomes of people receiving care. The insights directly influence our scrutiny and improvement work.
It is easy and quick to complete the forms. What is more, the Care Standards Questionnaire is designed to make it simple and flexible for someone to share their experience about care with us.
We are asking care professionals to please encourage the people they care for, along with their families and carers, to complete and return their paper questionnaires if they have received one or complete the online survey. They are designed to be easy and quick to fill out, and a stamped, addressed envelope has already been provided.
In any meetings or conversations, please take a moment to mention the importance of these surveys. It will go a long way in helping us to understand the needs of the sector better.
This article first appeared in the autumn edition of Scottish Care's Bulletin.