People who use adult social care asked for their views

More than 900 people who receive adult social care in Shropshire are being asked for their views as part of a national drive to improve services.

Shropshire Council is joining authorities across the country doing the survey which is designed to give a national picture of how people view the quality of service they receive from their local council.

The council is running the Adult Social Care Survey for just under two months to gain this feedback. The survey is open now and runs until 7 March 2014.

The annual survey, a national initiative which the Government requires all councils providing adult social care services to carry out, enables the council to build on previous recent consultations on adult social care.

Councillor Lee Chapman, Cabinet member for adult services, said:

“We are working very hard to talk to people who use adult services as much as possible about the way things are changing, such as through our Live Life Your Way Facebook page and the ongoing Making it Real project.

“The Adult Social Care Survey is a national initiative and we would urge anyone who receives a questionnaire to make sure they fill it in.  People can ask a member of their family or a friend to help if needed, and we can provide large print and easy read versions, so please take your chance to tell us what you think. Your opinions and experiences are vital.”

Results from previous surveys have helped to identify which services were valued the most, and the areas where further improvements could be made.

The results were influencing the ongoing development of services, and this year’s results will be used in the same way.

Councillor Chapman added:

“Recent surveys have showed that people are experiencing a better quality of life year-on-year, but that people would like to have more control over their daily life.

“We are aiming to give more choice and control over services, and want to hear how this is working for people.

“By taking every opportunity to involve people at the centre of our services, they can continue to shape the future of adult social care and help us to ensure services are what they want and need.”

The sample of people being surveyed has been taken from people receiving, or people who have received, care and support services from Shropshire Council in the past year.