The framework has been set up as a self-assessment tool to help post-diagnostic support practitioners and service managers consider:

• where their service meets the criteria
• where certain aspects could be improved, and
• where a clearer business case is necessary to ensure the service has the appropriate resources to operate as described by the framework.

It is not a questionnaire to be used with people with dementia and those who care for them. The service will have separate methods for gathering such feedback.

The framework is influenced by personal outcomes the person with dementia can experience as a result of receiving high quality post-diagnostic support. As such, each section of the framework is headed by a personal outcome written in the first person and a set of quality criteria for service provision has been assigned to each outcome. There are Yes and No columns against each criterion and a section for briefly recording the source of evidence and/or any comments. Post-diagnostic support practitioners should reflect on each of the criteria and if they believe their service meets the criterion then the Yes column can be marked. If there is room for improvement then the No column is marked.

The guidance notes included under each question in the framework suggest how each criterion could be evidenced. It is anticipated that a post-diagnostic support service improvement plan can be drawn up for the areas that a service wishes to improve on and this can be further organised into the top three priorities for improvement (see the example improvement plan template).

The use of the framework is optional, and the frequency and method of using the framework can be locally determined. It is recommended it be used:

• as a guide when setting up a new service
• at least annually as a self-assessment and more frequently if required
• to audit or peer audit existing services to inform service improvement
• as a team exercise, and
• by individual practitioners who wish to self-assess their practice against relevant criteria which, in turn, can inform discussions at personal development reviews.