Appendix K : Key dates, changes and frequently asked questions summary

Below is a summary of the key dates for the 2023-24 ASCS.

• eligible population can be extracted any time between 30 September 2023 and 31 December 2023
• additional question requests need to be submitted to NHS England by Friday 24 November 2023
• fieldwork period is 8 January 2024 to 8 March 2024
• ASCS data return to be submitted to NHS England by date 8 May 2024
• data quality reports to be sent out by date 22 May 2024
• final deadline date 12 June 204

Below is a summary of the changes made to the 2023-24 materials. Please ensure you use the materials on the 2023-24 guidance page. 

No significant changes have been made to the data return.

Slight change to end of questionnaire to encourage email option for sending out the report.

An extra line has been added in the ‘What happens to my answers' section to explain answers are linked with some demographic details using a unique code.

No significant changes have been made to the additional question form.

Easy read versions

The easy read version does not need to be printed in colour.

Additional questions

All proposed additional questions need to be submitted for review and approval to NHS England, irrespective of if these have questions have been used before. 

Coding contradictory answers

If 2 or more boxes are ticked for a question in which only one box should be ticked, then the response must be recorded as 'Unknown' (-9). If a respondent has chosen conflicting answers for a question that asks them to “tick all that apply” or for two different questions, the responses must be recorded as reported.

Paper copies 

Sending out paper copies of the report to service users

Service users should have the option to request a paper copy of either the national or a local report. Councils can choose whether they want to send out the national or a local report. The question at the end of the survey has been amended to request the email address or the home address of the respondent in order for councils to be able to send out the report.

Keeping paper copies of the questionnaire 

Councils must retain paper copies of the questionnaires until the publication of the final 2023-24 ASCS report. After this point you are free to securely dispose of paper copies, although you may wish to hold on to them for longer if you believe for example, that participants are likely to take part in any follow up studies. The treatment of paper and scanned copies must be in line with your local Information Governance procedures and meet the requirements of the GDPR. 

Making changes to the questionnaire to reduce white spaces

Councils need to customise the materials by amending the sections identified with red text and yellow highlighting. Any other changes need prior approval by NHS England. The questionnaire section of the guidance highlights the changes that are not permitted, these include changing the wording of questions, change the font or removing white space.

Accepting the questionnaires (dates)

Although the fieldwork should be completed by the 8 March 2024, councils can decide how long they will continue to accept the returned surveys for after the fieldwork period has ended. This will not affect the mandated deadline. Councils should note how many surveys were accepted after the fieldwork period ended in their data return.