Exploring options for revising the Adult Social Care Surveys

This project aimed to identify options to redesign these surveys to be representative of the social care population (as defined by the Care Act 2014), and meaningfully reflect the experiences and outcomes of people who use care and support services and carers. The research, carried out between February and April 2022, looked at the content and purpose of the surveys, their representativeness, accessibility, delivery model, mode of administration, and their frequency and timings. It also built on previous research conducted by Ipsos on the representativeness of ASCS and SACE. 

To meet these objectives the project used an iterative approach which involved: 

1. A rapid evidence review drawing together existing evidence and building on previous reviews 
2. Scoping of options, for revisions to the survey within the parameters set out in the brief 
3. Qualitative research with stakeholders, to ensure that the experience of those who have been involved in running the surveys, using the data or who represent people with care and support needs and carers are reflected in the presented options 
4. An options appraisal and consideration of future work needed to implement them, drawing on the findings from the three previous phases

The report provides recommendations with proposed next steps. Key points were that an interim set of changes should be made initially, with more substantial changes requiring development, testing and co-production. A stepped approach was provided, outlining the work towards the long-term recommendation that both surveys should take place every two years, be run centrally with local authority control retained over sample selection, engagement, and data; and use a push-to-web approach. The report emphasises the importance that any developments are carried out in a way that stakeholders feel is collaborative, and the need for agreement on the purpose of the surveys to inform any future development. 

The findings informed the Care data matters: government roadmap for improving the collection, sharing and analysis of adult social care data in England. The report has now been published as Annex C to Care data matters: a roadmap for better data for adult social care - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). 

This discovery project was commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care and led by Ipsos with input from the University of Kent, Institute of Public Care and LSE.