To understand variations in quality and outcomes and examine aspects such as the efficiency and productivity of social care services. - (ASCS) (PSS SACE)

The Adult Social Care Survey (ASCS) and Personal Social Services User Experience Survey for Carers (PSS SACE) data were supplied to The University of Kent by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (which has since become NHS Digital) for the purpose of a research study referred to 'To understand variations in quality and outcomes and examine aspects such as the efficiency and productivity of social care services. - (ASCS) (PSS SACE)'.

This Data Sharing Agreement permits the retention of the data for an interim period but no other processing of the data is permitted.

Permission to retain the data for the interim period is a practical step to enable the study to comply with the necessary legal and ethical requirements. If, for any reason, it is not possible for the study to meet the necessary requirements, this Agreement will be terminated and destruction of the data will be required.

The following information provides background information on the purpose of the original study:

The Adult Social Care Survey (ASCS 2010/2011; 2011/2012; 2012/2013; 2013/2014; and 2014/2015) is a survey carried out by HSCIC for clients receiving social care services and provides longitudinal national data on outcomes. Councils with Adult Social Service Responsibilities in England carry out the survey every year.

Personal Social Services User Experience Survey for Carers (PSS SACE) 2009/2010; 2012/2013; and 2014/2015) is a survey carried out by HSCIC for carers of clients receiving adult social care services. The survey is carried out by Councils with Adult Social Service Responsibilities in England every two years and provides longitudinal national data on outcome for carers of clients receiving adult social care services.

The service users and carers completing the questionnaire are aware that their data will be used to assess how happy people are with the social services that they are receiving and that the results will be used for further research or analysis.

The data was requested for use by PSSRU (University of Kent's Personal Social Services Research Unit) to explore and understand variations in quality and outcomes and examine aspects such as the efficiency and productivity of social care services. The analyses would be in line with the interests of the School of Social Care Research (SSCR) and the DH (NIHR)-funded unit: the policy Research Unit in Quality and Outcomes of person-centred care (QORU).

The data was to be used to feed into seven projects related to the underlying themes of SSCR and QORU research units:

1. Engagement in service user and patient experience surveys

2. Measuring quality and outcomes among care recipients and informal carers

3. Applying quality and outcomes information to improve outcomes for users

4. Assessing the impact of social care, including cost-effectiveness

5. Enhancing people’s involvement in their own care

6. Quality measurement

7. Productivity and efficiency analysis

The results of these analyses, building on previous studies, were to be used to feed into social care policy and practice. In particular, the work was intended to help inform the Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework (ASCOF).

Under this Agreement, the data may be securely stored but not otherwise processed. No new data will be provided by NHS Digital under this Agreement.

The study data, including data provided by NHS Digital under previous agreements, are currently held by the University of Kent. Under this interim extension all devices containing data will be securely locked away in a locked cabinet at the University of Kent's storage address specified in this Agreement.

The following provides background on the processing activities undertaken for the original study:

All research was to be conducted under the School of Social Care Research (SSCR) or the DH (NIHR)-funded unit: the policy Research Unit in Quality and Outcomes of person-centred care (QORU).

The datasets will not be shared with any other organisation and will be stored on a secure system with appropriate password protection. All data will be stored on University of Kent servers, which are in-house and maintained in a secure environment, with all operating system and security updates installed regularly. Access to data stored on servers will be restricted to permitted users at PSSRU (University of Kent).

No new outputs will be produced under this Data Sharing Agreement.

In any future application, the University of Kent will be required to provide details of the outputs that were produced and disseminated by the study as well as details of any future outputs planned.

In any future application, the University of Kent will be required to provide details of the expected benefits resulting from the study.

In any future application, the University of Kent will be required to provide details of the benefits already resulting from the study.