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

This appendix highlights the key dates and changes in the 2024-25 Adult Social Care Survey (ASCS). It should be used alongside this guidance document.

Below is a summary of the key dates for the 2024-25 ASCS.

1. Eligible population can be extracted any time between 30 September and 31 December 2024.
2. Fieldwork period is 6 January to 7 March 2025.
3. ASCS data return to be submitted to NHS England by 7 May 2025.
4. Data quality reports to be sent out by 21 May 2025.
5. Final deadline 11 June 2025.

Below is a summary of the changes made to the 2024-25 materials. Please ensure you use the materials on the 2024-25 guidance page. 

No significant changes have been made to the data return.

The Reported Health Condition (RHC) ‘Autism Spectrum Disorder’ is now mandatory and the RHCs Autism and Aspergers have been removed.

No changes have been made to the questionnaires.

No changes have been made to the letters.

The additional questions form has been updated for 2024 - 2025.  

Easy read versions

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

Additional questions

See the additional questions section for more information. 

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 2024-25 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 7 March 2025, 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.