Social care survey highlights improved quality of life and importance of giving people control

People receiving social care and support services from Shropshire Council are experiencing a better quality of life year-on-year, according to recent survey results. 

Hundreds of people across the county shared their views as part of the Adult Social Care User Survey 2011-12.  The survey provides a valuable insight which will help shape the future development of services. 

The figure for social care quality of life, using a combination of answers for each person who took part, is 18.6 out of a possible 24, an increase on the previous year’s figure of 18.03.* 

The results also show that: 

• 74.5 per cent of people find it easy to access information and advice about support, services or benefits compared to 72.9 per cent the previous year.
• 66.1 per cent of people are extremely or very satisfied with the care and support services they receive, matching the previous year’s result.  

Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health and well-being, said:

“This survey has given us another opportunity to ensure that services are being delivered in the best way possible. The results will help us to identify the services which are valued the most, and the areas where further improvements can be made. 

“There are some great results which show that we are moving in the right direction. However, while more than 72 per cent of people said care and support services help them in having control over their daily life, only about a third said they have as much control over their daily life as they want. 

“We want to see this figure rise by helping all people who are eligible for social care support to use personal budgets which allow them to choose what they want to spend their money on, based on what will meet their needs. 

“We will continue to involve people at the centre of our services as we move forward, to help us ensure that the most vulnerable members of our community can lead the lives they wish to lead.” 

The sample of people who were surveyed was taken from people receiving, or people who have received, care and support services from Shropshire Council. 

The annual survey, a national initiative which the Government requires all councils providing adult social care services to carry out, builds on recent consultations run by the council.  These include the most comprehensive adult social care consultation ever held in the history of the county in 2011.  The consultation looked at how the council can deliver the best care possible through a variety of services, more closely matching the needs and wishes of each individual, developed by the people who use them, their carers, families and friends. 

The consultation resulted in a wealth of information and data that fed into the creation of a new strategy for adult social care.  The council made a commitment to carry out the actions in the strategy and continue to seek the views of people using services to feed into this work. 

To find out more about the survey and the results click here.

*An overall indicator figure is used for this measure, rather than a percentage.