Boosting digital skills and confidence in adult social care: a critical need for the future
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Alyson Scurfield, CEO of TSA, the national advisory body for technology enabled care (TEC), looks at the barriers Directors of Adult Social Services face to make digital technology mainstream in social care.
For several years, my lovely dad accessed social care and support. The home carers, social workers and occupational therapists were amazing. They listened as we explained dad’s needs, they were supportive and kind. But I have one overriding memory of their visits: the paperwork.
At almost every appointment, mountains of forms were filled in. We’d have to say the same things again and again, there was limited information sharing and care integration and a reluctance to use the data we gathered.
Care workers’ knowledge of technology enabled care (TEC), from high street products to specialist solutions was limited and they lacked confidence in using digital systems or recommending devices that might support dad to live the life he wanted.
So, the results of the latest survey from the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) come as no surprise.
When asked how to upscale and mainstream digital technology, Directors ranked one initiative higher than all others: ensuring staff have the skills and confidence they need to maximise use of digital tools.
Interestingly, the initiative ranked second also relates to skills and confidence but in relation to people who draw on care and support, carers and their families – supporting them to understand what’s available and feel confident about the use of digital tools.
This is something I have also seen firsthand. When we were caring for dad, I was conscious of how technology could have benefitted mum too. As his primary unpaid carer, she was constantly worrying about him, his wellbeing and safety and I remember her saying there were so many appointments, she felt really confused. Technology could have given her peace of mind and reduced her stress.
I hope the new government hear these messages from the latest ADASS survey because the current situation is unsustainable.
74% of Directors reported increases in the size of care packages, and there was a 7.4% rise in homecare needing more than one member of staff.
In part, this is due to the push to discharge people from hospital more rapidly. But with councils providing more complex care, individuals needing lower-level, early support at home could miss out.
We’re already seeing budget pressures threatening prevention with the proportion of councils taking a positive investment strategy for preventative social care now 29% – significantly down from 44% last year.
On the other hand, technology is the area with the highest percentage of investment planned for 24/25. However, using digital to prevent ill health and promote wellbeing just won’t happen if staff understanding and confidence isn’t there.
I’ve recently been working with Skills for Care on the Adult Social Care Workforce Strategy, as a member of the expert working group on Science, Technology, AI and Pharmaceuticals. My hope is that this strategy begins to address the digital skills gap in social care.
But we need the will and prioritisation from government, local authorities and other care providers to deliver on this strategy. Only then can we truly realise Wes Streeting’s vision of a shift from services focused on treating sickness to a government focused on preventing illness in the first place.
Alyson Scurfield is CEO of TSA, the national advisory body for technology enabled care (TEC). Our purpose is to advise and support local authorities, health services, governments and regulators on TEC, assuring the quality of TEC services.
TSA’s 360 members support over 2 million older and disabled people to live independent, fulfilling lives via telecare alarms, falls response teams, AI-powered monitoring devices, smart watches and much more.