For many care providers, months or even years can pass between CQC inspections. In that time, services continue to improve, respond to feedback and deliver excellent care every day.
The HCPA Impartial Feedback Service (IFS) helps providers gather independent feedback from people who use services, families, staff and professionals. It gives you current evidence of what is working well, where improvements can be made and how your service listens and learns.
The IFS plaque is an important way to showcase this commitment. Displayed in reception, a visitor area or staff space, it gives a clear and visible message that your service actively seeks independent feedback and uses it to improve.
What is IFS and how does it work?
HCPA’s Impartial Feedback Service is an independent way for care providers to hear directly from people who use their service, families, staff and professionals. HCPA gathers structured feedback, reviews the themes and produces a clear report highlighting strengths, areas for development and practical evidence of how the service listens, learns and improves. Providers can then use the report, alongside the IFS plaque, to demonstrate their commitment to continuous improvement between CQC inspections.
Why the IFS Plaque Matters
Visitors, families, commissioners and professionals often want reassurance that quality improvement is happening now, not only when an inspection is due. The IFS plaque helps make that commitment visible.
It shows that your service has invited impartial feedback, values the voices of people connected to the service and is committed to continuous improvement.
Used alongside your IFS report, the plaque can help start positive conversations about quality, learning and the experience of people drawing on care and support.
At a time when inspections may be infrequent, IFS gives you current independent feedback, the plaque helps you show that commitment clearly.
Use these plaques to showcase that quality improvement never stands still.
Contact us today to find out more about the Impartial Feedback Service, IFS plaques, Culture Checks and STAN+.