ABSTRACT
Standards are only of use if they are used to assess the services provided. Even the most sophisticated set of standards will be empty rhetorical statements unless they are put to use. Of course, in developing a quality service the manager does not operate in a vacuum. The overall policies of the service as determined by the agency - whether it is in the statutory, private or voluntary sector - are important determinants. Some managers may be eagerly awaited by staff and service users, in anticipation that they will overturn regimes which have been detested. In any of these circumstances, the temptation is to want to make an impact quickly or even to succumb to change for change’s sake. It is important for the detailed planning of the change process to have access to information which informs developments. Although much of such activity is the stuff of good social care practice in face-to-face work with service users.
