| Abstract: | As services become more dispersed and increasing emphasis is given to ensuring that they are of good quality, concern has been expressed as to how this can be achieved. Achievement of quality services must not be at the expense of staff: imposition of standards from “above” is likely to reduce morale and motivation and create rigid practices which could reproduce in smaller settings some of the worst features of institutional life. This paper outlines a strategy which requires staff and user participation in the active pursuit of quality and suggests how quality may be looked at in a practical way in services. It suggests that pursuit of quality is an important and major task which must be given real priority by service providers and managers. |
