Transforming adult social care with digital technology

There is a growing interest in, and awareness of, the potential for digital technology to transform social care.

This can be technology to manage the provision of care and support (e.g. communications technology and management systems), technology enabled care (e.g. alarms or sensors), use of consumer technology in supporting people (e.g. audio assistants or smartwatches), or the potential of advanced technology (e.g. artificial intelligence). 

In order to develop their policy and support for the sector, NHSX (now the NHS Transformation Directorate) commissioned Ipsos, the Institute of Public Care and Skills for Care to conduct two reviews in 2021 which have provided a strong evidence base on the use of technology in the adult social care sector and its potential to improve social care. The findings from both reviews have been published in one combined report. Previous evidence tended to be anecdotal or specific to a particular context such as a care service or geographic location. These reviews involved engagement with a wide range of stakeholders and those involved in adopting technology in adult social care, including people with care and support needs and their carers, the social care workforce, care providers, local authorities, and technology suppliers. We also conducted ten case studies showing examples of how technology had been adopted or digital skills developed in innovative ways across the sector.

The research identified the following central themes:

• Current use of technology in adult social care is widespread but uneven so its full potential is not currently being realised.
• The nature of adult social care, with multiple providers, can create challenges for digital implementation and change management.
• There is a lack of clarity regarding the exact costs and benefits of implementing digital technology which can prevent organisations and individuals from investing in it, especially if the financial benefits are realised elsewhere in the system.
• This is compounded by uncertainty about changes to technology and lack of interoperability between systems so there is a need for a clear national vision and consistent standards, which involve end users of technology in their development.
• There is a need for greater awareness and knowledge of technology enabled care among the workforce and those who need support.
• There is a high level of agreement across the adult social care workforce that technology plays an important role in social care but there is some anxiety about its impact on face-to-face care, which can be addressed by reassurance and culture change.
• Barriers to developing basic digital skills include a lack of familiarity and opportunity to use technology.
• The learning and development support offer needs to build confidence around basic and transferable skills, offering tailored support for people to develop skills as technology is adopted.
• There is a need to build stronger digital leadership and change management within organisations, as making this a ‘normal’ part of a leader’s role is key to the adoption of digital technology.
• Collaboration and co-production between the adult social care sector, technology sector and those with care and support needs is needed to develop solutions which meet the challenges facing the sector and support implementation.
• The COVID-19 pandemic increased opportunities to introduce technology and develop skills but focussed mainly on communications technology and may have increased disparities.

The findings and recommendations have since been used by the NHS Transformation Directorate to help shape their vision for how technology can support social care reform as set out in the Department of Health and Social Care White Paper, People at the Heart of Care.

In June 2022, the Department of Health and Social Care published a further plan for digital health and social care which was similarly informed by findings and evidence from these reviews. This plan addresses some of the findings of the research including the need for technology standards, streamlined procurement, digital leadership and building general digital literacy.

We hope the research is also of interest and use to the wider adult social care sector with infographics on technology and skills and a summary providing ready access to the key findings and the case studies offering an insight into some exciting developments across the sector.