Feedback in Health and Social Care

When starting in a new health or social care setting, developing your skills is crucial, and feedback plays a vital role in helping you learn and grow. As you progress through your Care Certificate and induction, you should receive regular feedback from your line manager, supervisor, or workplace assessor.

Why Feedback is Essential

Feedback is essential because it:

• Supports your learning and development.
• Helps you understand what you are doing well and highlights areas for improvement.
• Ensures you have an accurate view of your abilities, affecting your confidence and the quality of care you provide.

Working in health and social care often involves dealing with complex, emotional, or high-pressure situations. To handle these effectively, you need knowledge, practical skills, and emotional intelligence. Constructive feedback helps you build confidence, improve, and manage challenges calmly, professionally, and compassionately.

Benefits of Feedback

Feedback helps you:

• Recognise your strengths
• Understand areas for improvement
• Build problem-solving skills
• Develop greater self-awareness
• Grow in confidence and competence

Types of Feedback

Feedback can be formal or informal.

Formal Feedback

Formal feedback is typically given in writing and might be part of:

• Appraisals
• Supervision sessions
• Training assessments
• Written evaluations

Informal Feedback

Informal feedback occurs during everyday conversations with colleagues, supervisors, or even the people you support. It might be a quick comment or a simple observation during a task.

The Importance of Timely Feedback

Regardless of the type, feedback is most useful when it is timely. Ideally, feedback should be given as soon as possible after an event or situation so that it is fresh in your mind.

Characteristics of Effective Feedback

The most effective feedback is:

• Positive and constructive: It highlights what you’ve done well and offers practical suggestions for improving.
• Fact-based: It focuses on what happened, not assumptions or personal judgments.
• Action-oriented: It guides you on what to do differently in the future, rather than criticising things you cannot change.
• Supportive: It helps you feel motivated and capable of learning and improving.

Asking Questions for Clarity

If you are unsure about any feedback you’ve received, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Clarifying and discussing feedback shows that you are engaged in learning and committed to providing high-quality care.