School uniform: consultation analysis

Annex B - Satisfaction with the consultation

The consultation included two questions which asked respondents how satisfied they were with the consultation. The first question on satisfaction asked respondents how satisfied they were with this consultation, whilst the second questions asked how satisfied they were with their experience of using the Citizen Space platform.

Almost all respondents provided an answer to this question. Of those not answering the question, only 4 provided comments. These responses indicated it would depend on how the guidance took account of feedback from the consultation; that the questions did not allow for comment on gender equality or diversity; and that uniform was a minor issue.

Just under half of respondents, 48%, reported that they were either very satisfied or slightly satisfied with the consultation, whilst a further 35% reported that they were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. 14% of respondents reported that they were either slightly dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. Of those who did express satisfaction, or dissatisfaction, about the consultation there were 475 respondents who provided further comments.

The comments from those respondents who indicated they were either very satisfied or slightly satisfied were varied. Positive comments included respondents finding the consultation easy to use and read or expressing a general appreciation towards the Scottish Government for allowing them to share their views on school uniforms. There were some mixed opinions about the open question format, with some respondents reporting that they appreciated the flexibility of the open question format, whilst others indicated a preference for multiple choice options with a field for comments to explain their choice. This issue was also raised by some who said they were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.

Responses from those dissatisfied with the consultation focussed on feeling the consultation was unnecessary and would not bring about change, or concern that abolishing school uniform was not within the scope of the consultation. With regards to ease of use, comments from those expressing dissatisfaction felt the consultation was too vague, not easy to understand and that there were spelling errors within the document.

Again, the majority of respondents provided an answer to this question. Of those not answering the question, only 3 provided comments. These responses said they would have preferred multiple choice to open questions; that they welcomed the opportunity to help inform a change in policy; and that they were satisfied with the consultation.

A majority of respondents, 61%, reported that they were either very satisfied or slightly satisfied with their experience of using Citizen Space to respond to the consultation, whilst a further 27% reported that they were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. 8% of respondents reported that they were either slightly dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. Of those who did express satisfaction, or dissatisfaction, about the consultation there were 156 respondents who provided further comments.

Of the comments from those respondents who indicated they were either very satisfied or slightly satisfied, many responses expressed satisfaction at the ease of using the Citizen Space platform and being given the opportunity to participate in decisions about policy. Some respondents, although satisfied, commented that the consultation could be made more accessible by using clearer language or having multiple choice, rather than open questions.

Responses from those dissatisfied with their experience of using Citizen Space included comments about the need to provide personal details, spelling errors in the document and that they felt the consultation should have been more widely publicised.

Some comments from those who reported they were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, did express a degree of satisfaction or dissatisfaction. This included a view that nothing will change as a result of the consultation, that the consultation was easy to respond to and welcoming consultation earlier in the policy-making process.