Capturing data on carers

To keep people engaged and ensure a high response rate, make the questionnaire short and simple. A good survey should take no more than 5–10 minutes to complete, which usually means about 10–15 questions. Here are some tips:

• Keep it Short and Focused: Aim for 10-15 questions that are directly relevant to your goals. Be clear about why you're collecting this data and what will happen next.
• Prioritise Key Information: Focus on the most important information you need and design questions around that.
• Use Clear and Simple Language: Make questions easy to understand to avoid confusion and save time.
• Mix Question Types: Use a combination of multiple-choice, scale, and open-ended questions to keep it interesting.
• Pilot Test: Try the survey with a small group first to see how long it takes and make adjustments.
• Offer an Incentive: If possible, offer a small reward for completing the survey, like entry into a prize draw.

To effectively gather data on unpaid carers in your organisation, use language that everyone can relate to. Many people might not see themselves as carers because they don't realise their activities count as caregiving. Here are some tips:

• Use Descriptive Language: Instead of saying "carer," describe the activities, like helping with household tasks or providing emotional support. This helps people recognise their caregiving roles.
• Provide Examples: Give clear examples of caregiving tasks, such as grocery shopping, preparing meals, or attending medical appointments. This shows the wide range of caregiving activities.
• Ask About Specific Situations: Focus on common caregiving scenarios, making it easier for people to see themselves in those roles.
• Emphasise Informal and Occasional Care: Make it clear that caregiving can be informal and occasional, not just formal or regular.

• General Caregiving Activities:
  • "Do you provide support or assistance to someone who is elderly, ill, or has a disability? This could include helping with household tasks, providing transportation, managing medication, or offering emotional support."
• Specific Situations:
  • "In the past month, have you spent time helping a friend, family member, or neighbour with tasks such as shopping for groceries, preparing meals, or attending medical appointments?"
• Emotional and Social Support:
  • "Do you regularly offer emotional support or companionship to someone who might be feeling lonely or isolated due to their health condition?"
• Frequency and Nature of Support:
  • "How often do you assist someone with their daily activities or health-related tasks? (Options: Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Occasionally)"
• Identifying Reluctance to Use the Term "Carer":
  • "Some people do not think of themselves as 'carers' even though they provide help to others. Do you spend time helping someone in a way that impacts your daily routine, even if you don't consider yourself a carer?"

A survey like this should typically be open for about 2 to 4 weeks. This timeframe balances giving employees enough time to complete the survey with maintaining a sense of urgency to respond. 

During this period, it's helpful to:

• Send an Initial Announcement: Clearly explain why the survey is important.
• Send Reminders: Send a few reminders, like one week after the survey starts and a few days before it closes.
• Provide Updates: Let people know how the survey is going and thank those who have already participated.
• Share the Results: Share the survey results with employees and assure them their feedback will lead to actions. This builds trust and shows that their input is valued.