Feedback is kind of like a compass. Just as a compass helps a sailor navigate through stormy seas, feedback can help us navigate challenges, adjusting our course to stay on track and reach our goals.
And in the particularly choppy waters of social care, feedback plays a vital role in ensuring we’re continuously improving – refining our skills, enhancing our knowledge and ultimately, making a real difference in the lives of those we support.
But many of us will shy away from actively seeking out feedback, even though we know it can be valuable. We might fear criticism, or feel uncomfortable with praise. Perhaps you’ve had a negative experience in the past that’s left you feeling vulnerable, or maybe you lack the confidence to approach others.
We’re here to help. In this article, we cover:
- Why feedback matters in social care
- The types of feedback you might receive
- How to ask for feedback
- How to act on the feedback you receive.
Why feedback matters in social care
Feedback can help us:
- Identify our strengths and weaknesses
Feedback acts as a mirror, reflecting what we do well and where we can improve. This self-awareness allows us to focus our professional development efforts, seeking training and support in the areas where we need to grow. For example, feedback might reveal that you’re great at building rapport with residents, but that you struggle with certain care tasks.
- Improve communication and teamwork
Openly seeking and discussing feedback with your team fosters a culture of transparency and trust, where everyone feels comfortable sharing their perspectives and suggestions. This leads to more effective teamwork, and ultimately, a more supportive and positive workplace – something we can all get behind.
- Ensure person-centred care
Feedback from residents and their families provides invaluable insights into what matters most to them, and allows us to tailor our care accordingly. Asking for feedback ensures the care you provide isn’t only effective but also respectful, dignified and truly responsive to individual needs.
- Boost confidence and motivation
Feedback isn’t all about what you need to do differently. Positive feedback can reinforce our strengths, validate our efforts and motivate us to continue providing excellent care.
The types of feedback you might receive
While you might only expect to receive feedback from your manager, you should also seek it out from:
- The individuals you care for
Direct feedback from those you care for is invaluable, and ensures you can provide truly person-centred care.
- Their loved ones
Families and friends can also share their perspective on the individual’s wellbeing and the impact of the care they’re receiving.
- Teammates
Your colleagues have a shared understanding of the challenges and rewards of working in a care setting, allowing them to provide relevant feedback that recognises the nuances of daily work. They might notice things we’re unaware of, such as body language, tone of voice, or patterns of behaviour that could be impacting the care we provide.
How to ask for feedback
Don’t wait for feedback to come to you; actively seek it out. Here’s how to approach feedback:
1. Think about what you want to ask
Instead of a general ‘Can I have some feedback?’, be specific about what you want feedback on. You’re far more likely to get relevant and actionable feedback in return.
You can also encourage more detailed and specific feedback by using open-ended questions that can’t be answered with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
Here’s some examples:
- ‘Could you give me some feedback on how I handled that challenging situation with a resident’s family member?’
- ‘I’m trying to improve my documentation skills. Would you mind reviewing this care plan and giving me your thoughts?’
- ‘What are some things I do well when supporting residents at mealtimes?’
2. Choose an appropriate time and place
Avoid asking a person for feedback when they’re busy, stressed or distracted – they’re unlikely to be receptive or able to give you a thoughtful response. Choose a private setting where you can have an open and honest conversation.
3. Listen
This isn’t a checkbox exercise – really listen to the feedback you receive, letting the person know that you value their opinion and are truly open to hearing both positive and constructive feedback.
Try not to get defensive if you hear something you don’t agree with, and always say thank you!
4. Seek clarification
If you’re unsure about any aspects of the feedback you’ve received, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification, or an example that might help demonstrate what they’re trying to explain.
How to act on feedback
Right, you’ve been given some feedback, but what do you do with it now?! Acting on feedback is just as important as receiving it. Here’s what to do next:
1. Reflect
Take some time to reflect on the feedback you’ve received and identify any patterns or themes that have emerged – can you pinpoint any areas for improvement?
Separate facts from opinions and focus on objective feedback (eg. ‘You sometimes talk over residents when they’re speaking’) over subjective feedback (eg. ‘You seem impatient’).
2. Create an action plan
Set some clear goals for improvement, then break them down into bitesize tasks with realistic deadlines to make them manageable.
We recommend using the SMART goal framework to do this. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.
Here’s how to use this framework to set goals:
Specific – First, define what your goal is.
Measurable – Next, work out how you can measure progress towards this goal.
Achievable – How achievable is your goal? Could it be broken down into smaller, more manageable tasks?
Relevant – Think about how your goal aligns with the feedback you’ve received, your role and your overall career aspirations.
Time-bound – Set yourself a realistic deadline to keep yourself on track.
Don’t be afraid to ask for support from your teammates and manager as you work to implement the feedback you’ve received.
3. Monitor progress
Regularly reflect on your progress as you put your action plan into practice, and follow up with the person who gave you feedback to let them know how you’ve implemented their suggestions. They might be able to give you further feedback as you progress.
Remember, feedback is a valuable gift that can help you grow as a care professional. Don’t shy away from asking for feedback – actively seek it out and act on it to continuously improve the quality of care you provide, and make a real difference in the lives of those you support.
