24 May 2023
Earlier this week, DHSC published two documents and a press release related to digital working in adult social care:
- Digital Working in Adult Social Care: What good looks like for local authorities and care providers (WGLL)
- Digital Skills Framework
- DHSC Press Release
These documents are designed to support the digital transformation of adult social care and upskill the workforce's digital skills. The WGLL is designed to be an aspirational framework, providing a set of collective goals for LAs and care providers to work towards. The guidance is aimed at the individuals who are responsible for digital transformation, such as digital leads, directors of adult social servicers, commissioners and service managers. The guidance is organised around 7 success measures, under three themes. Each theme has a number of actions that LAs and providers should undertake:
Digitise
- Well led - This success measure emphaises the importance of effective leadership and governance in driving digital transformation. It involves having clear strategies, policies, and plans in place to guide the adoption and implementation of digital technology. Well-led organisations prioritise digital working, promote a culture of innovation, and allocate resources to support its implementation. This should include ensuring that any new technology meets the needs of people by improving quality and safety of care, freeing up time or capacity and supporting people to live independently for longer. The ethical and legal issues that can arise from digital technology should also be considered. The guidance outlines a number of measures LAs and providers should take.
- Ensure smart foundations - This measure focuses on establishing the necessary infrastructure and technical foundations for successful digital working. It involves ensuring that staff have reliable access to comprehensive and up-to-date digital records. Smart foundations also include implementing interoperable systems that allow seamless information sharing and integration of different digital platforms and health and social care organisations.
- Safe Practice - This measure highlights the significance of maintaining privacy, security, and data protection in digital working. Organisations must adhere to legal and regulatory requirements regarding data handling and confidentiality. They should implement secure access controls, encryption, and robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive information and protect against data breaches.
Connect
- Support workforce - This measure recognises the importance of supporting the social care workforce in adapting to and effectively utilizing digital technology. It involves providing comprehensive training, resources, and ongoing support to enhance digital literacy and confidence. Organisations should invest in professional development programs, offer user-friendly digital tools, and create a supportive environment to empower staff members in their digital working practices.
- Empower people - This measure focuses on empowering individuals receiving social care to actively participate in their care journeys through digital means. It involves providing accessible and user-friendly digital platforms that enable individuals to manage their appointments, access information and support, and engage in shared decision-making. Empowering people through digital technology can enhance their independence, choice, and control over their care.
Transform
- Improve Care - This measure highlights the potential of digital working to improve the quality and effectiveness of care delivery. It involves leveraging digital tools to support care planning, coordination, and monitoring of outcomes. Digital technology can facilitate better communication among care providers, integration of health and social care services, and timely access to relevant information, leading to improved care experiences and outcomes.
- Healthy populations - This measure emphasises the role of digital working in promoting population health and wellbeing. It involves utilizing digital tools and data for public health initiatives, preventive care, health promotion, and monitoring of population health trends. Digital technology can enable targeted interventions, data-driven decision-making, and the identification of health inequalities, contributing to healthier populations overall.
The Digital Skills Framework is the first of several planned supporting resources to help care and support organisations implement the principles in the WGLL document. It is designed to help support the development of digital skills across the adult social care workforce. It defines seven key areas of effective digital working organised in two levels: ‘ Digital Skills for all Staff’ & ‘Go further’. The seven themes are:
- Using technology to support person-centred care
- Technical skills for using technology
- Communicating through technology
- Using and managing data
- Being safe and secure online
- Ethical use of technology
- Digital learning, developing and wellbeing
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Care Sector News New NICE guidance: Falls: assessment and prevention in older people and in people 50 and over at higher risk This guideline covers assessing risk of falling and interventions to prevent falls in all people aged 65 and over, and people aged 50 to 64 who are at higher risk of falls. It aims to reduce the risk and incidence of falls, and the associated distress, pain, injury, loss of confidence, loss of independence and mortality. Details here . Workshop for care leaders: Understanding how older people can thrive in care homes: Wednesday 14th May, 12-2pm Our ‘Thriving in Residential Care’ research is the UK’s largest qualitative research study of the experiences of older people living in care homes. In the research, we identified 6 key ways that older people can be supported to thrive in care homes. We’re running a dedicated workshop to support care services in taking this research forward! Join us for 2 hours online, and find out how you can use the research in your care service to enhance quality of life! More here . Age UK’s new campaign ‘Act Now, Age Better’ hopes to start a national conversation about how becoming more physically active in our 50s and 60s can ensure a happier, healthier and more independent later life. New research by Age UK shows that three quarters of midlifers (adults aged between 50 – 65) equivalent to 10 million - worry about staying healthy as they age. Age UK has launched its new preventative campaign ‘Act Now, Age Better’, which hopes to start a national conversation about how becoming more physically active in midlife can ensure a happier, healthier, more independent later life. Details here .
DHSC Updates Low Pay Commission consultation 2025 The Low Pay Commission is inviting submissions to inform its recommendations to the Government on minimum wage rates in 2026 and beyond. This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 30 June 2025. Details here . Cyber Governance Code of Practice This Code of Practice and wider governance package shows boards and directors how to manage digital risks and protect their businesses and organisations from cyber attacks. Details here .
Solar Together Grant Scheme for solar installations covering the Combined Authority footprint. The West Midlands Combined Authority have teamed up with Solar Together to offer you a hassle-free way to begin powering your home or business through renewable energy. Choosing an installer can be quite daunting, but with Solar Together you can be reassured that you're getting a high-quality product and service, and thanks to the power of the group, a great price. Find out more about the Solar Together scheme here.
Retrofitting your care home: The long-term impact on sustainability and values Our partner, Christie & Co , have forwarded to us a thought-led piece from their valuation team about retrofitting care homes which we are sharing with our members. Retrofitting your care home: The long-term impact on sustainability and values For any operators interested in exploring retrofitting, Christie Finance are able to support with funding for projects, please see below for what they offer: "At Christie Finance, we understand the unique needs of the care sector. That’s why we offer unsecured business loans and Asset Finance tailored specifically for care providers, with no property security required. Whether you're upgrading to energy-efficient heating, improving insulation, installing solar panels or investing in eco-friendly refurbishments, we make it easy to fund your green initiatives. Our facilities come with no broker arrangement fees, flexible terms up to 84 months, and decisions typically within 48 hours. With our expert team by your side, you can access the capital you need, quickly and with minimal disruption, to create a more sustainable, future-ready care environment." To find out more, please get in touch: T: 01244 207 685 E: flexible.finance@christiefinance.com
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