This item consists of two parts: firstly, a literature review covering the views of carers about the quality of services they receive; and secondly a report on work in progress on quality services. The report briefly outlines the general context for work on quality standards in service provision; highlights some of the issues and problems in defining quality standards; considers national work which is of relevance to quality standards in local support services for carers; and presents the findings of a survey of local organisations on work in progress in defining and implementing standards for carers support services.