The ‘shift to digital’ is reshaping many sectors, and social care is no exception. This change presents both chances and difficulties for the social care sector. As Kathryn Marsden OBE, chief executive at the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), states, "The ‘shift to digital’ presents unique opportunities and challenges for social care." It is important for you to understand how these changes can affect your work and the people you support.
Opportunities of the Shift to Digital in Social Care
The move to digital ways of working offers several benefits for social care, especially in how different services work together and how care is provided.
Improved Partnership Working and Aged Care
Currently, there is often a lack of digital connections between the NHS and social care. This can make care disjointed and difficult for both providers and those needing care. The move to digital aims to fix this.
- Single Patient Record (SPR): The goal is to have one record that includes a person's medical history and a personal account of their health risks. This record would connect NHS services, social care, and other community organizations.
- Better Care Coordination: For people receiving social care, an SPR could mean:
- Faster and safer decisions.
- Smoother moves between hospitals, home, and community care.
- More complete and preventative care focused on the individual.
Driving Innovation in Social Care
The shift to digital also includes using new tools like data, artificial intelligence (AI), genomics, wearables, and robotics. These technologies can help predict and prevent crises. The social care sector is in a good position to help shape these innovations, building on past experiences.
- Practical Insights: The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) worked on over 120 projects through the Accelerating Reform Fund. This work provided practical lessons on how new ideas, including digital ones, can be successfully developed and used in adult social care.
- Examples of Digital Tools: Initiatives have supported AI-driven case management and tools for real-time feedback. These efforts show that flexible funding and working together can speed up learning and new ideas.
- Sharing Knowledge: Organizations like SCIE share these findings at events such as the National Children and Adult Services Conference. They show how digital innovation can make services more efficient and improve care experiences.
Challenges of the Shift to Digital in Social Care
While the potential is clear, the shift to digital also brings significant challenges that need your attention.
Workforce Digital Skills in Social Care
The social care workforce is skilled in providing compassionate care. However, many staff may not have the digital skills needed to use new technologies safely and well.
- Skill Gaps: A SCIE report, "Digital learning in social care workforce development in Wales", found that many staff need more digital literacy.
- Addressing Risks: Studies from Sage Journals and the International Journal for Equity in Health point to the need for:
- Better digital skills training.
- Making sure digital tools are easy to use.
- Increasing awareness among care providers to help everyone participate digitally.
Addressing Digital Inequalities in Aged Care
Improving digital skills for the workforce is only one part of the challenge. Access to technology and digital skills are also barriers for people receiving social care, including older people and those with disabilities.
- Access Barriers: A SCIE report, "Understanding the impact of COVID-19 responses on citizens", found that two-thirds of disabled and older people face difficulties using online solutions.
- Impact on Individuals: These barriers can limit the availability and quality of services, reducing chances for independence and connection within the community.
- Inclusive Planning: To avoid making existing inequalities worse, strategies for digital change must be planned carefully with the input of people who receive care. This means involving them from the very start.
This is an important time for the social care sector. How we respond to these challenges will help shape the future strength, fairness, and positive impact of care. We can make progress toward a health and care system that meets the changing needs of all communities by learning from past efforts.
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Reference: https://www.digitalhealth.net/2025/11/what-does-the-shift-to-digital-mean-for-social-care/
