Every year, Stockport Council Adult Social Care ask service users, carers and other stakeholders for their views about the care and support they receive. This information is then used to develop and improve services.

Surveys and consultations are carried out throughout the year and focus on a range of
services. For example, in 2010 we surveyed people who had used intermediate care and carers services. As well as responses to particular questions, we also ask for opinions and comments. This helps to build a detailed picture of services and how successful, or not, they are at meeting people's needs.
 
As well as asking service users and carers, we aim to consult with representatives of all groups, organisations and providers who have an interest in social care services. We also collect general background information that tells us who our service users are, how old they are, where in Stockport they live and helps us to spot trends and gaps in service use.

Over the next few months, summaries will be made available of the findings from several recent surveys. This includes the Department of Health adult social care survey which we are required to do every year, and which takes place in February. This involves sending questionnaires to more than 1000 people and should provide a wealth of information.

We hope that service users, carers, as well as organisations and members of the public will find these reports interesting and useful.