Review of the Scottish Helpline for Older People

DescriptionThis study assesses the development of the Scottish Helpline for Older People; explores the aims of the service and whether they are still relevant and whether it is best placed to deliver these aims. The effectiveness of the service is also assessed and recommendations made for its future.
ISBN9780755977192
Official Print Publication DateNovember 2009
Website Publication DateNovember 09, 2009

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John Scott, Katy MacMillan, Tara McGregor & Emma Hewitt

ISBN 978 0 7559 7719 2 (Web only publication)

This document is also available in pdf format (1.4Mb)

CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

1. INTRODUCTION
ABOUT THIS REPORT
ABOUT SHOP
RESEARCH AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

2. CONTEXT
INTRODUCTION
SCOTLAND'S AGEING POPULATION
THE POLICY CONTEXT
THE PROVISION OF INFORMATION AND ADVICE FOR OLDER PEOPLE
TELEPHONE HELPLINES FOR OLDER PEOPLE
STANDARDS IN INFORMATION AND ADVICE PROVISION

3. ABOUT THE SCOTTISH HELPLINE FOR OLDER PEOPLE
WHAT IS THE SCOTTISH HELPLINE FOR OLDER PEOPLE?
ESTABLISHING THE SCOTTISH HELPLINE FOR OLDER PEOPLE
THE HELPLINE
THE CONSORTIUM
SHOP GOVERNANCE
SHOP FINANCES

4. HELPLINE UPTAKE AND OUTCOMES
INTRODUCTION
THE SHOP MONITORING SYSTEM
CALLS RECEIVED
CALLER PROFILE
VIEWS OF CALLERS
VIEWS OF SHOP STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
VIEWS OF THE CONSORTIUM

5. THE ROLE AND IMPACT OF THE CONSORTIUM
ROLE OF THE CONSORTIUM
IMPACT OF THE CONSORTIUM

6. THE WAY AHEAD
KEY ISSUES
OPTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

LIST OF TABLES

3.1 Responsibilities of the Consortium and AGE Concern Scotland for SHOP
3.2 SHOP Income and Expenditure 2004/05 to 2008/09
4.1 Calls to SHOP 2005/06 to 200/09
4.2 Calls diverting to answering machine in 2005/06
4.3 Age profile of SHOP clients October 2007 to June 2009
4.4 SHOP callers enquiry source October 2007 to June 2009
4.5 Calls to SHOP by nature of enquiry October 2007 to June 2009
4.6 Clients signposted to other agencies October 2007 to June 2009
6.1 Comparison of estimated calls of sample helplines
6.2 SHOP Expenditure in 2008/09
6.3 Options for delivering older persons' helpline service

Appendices

1: List of Consultees
2: List of Older People's Organisations Consulted
3: Detailed SHOP Monitoring Information
4: Service User Survey Findings
5: Questionnaires and Topic Guides

The views expressed in this report are those of the researcher and
do not necessarily represent those of the Department or Scottish Ministers.

This report is available on the Scottish Government Social Research website only
www.scotland.gov.uk/socialresearch.

Page updated: Friday, November 06, 2009