DHSC’s updated guidance: Digital working in adult social care: What Good Looks Like

The DHSC updated their guidance which expands upon the What Good Looks Like framework from NHS England. The framework offers comprehensive instructions on 7 key indicators for health and care leaders to digitise, connect, and improve services securely and effectively.

The 7 Measures of Success:

Success Measure 1: Well Led –

“Your organisation’s leaders fully understand the benefits of digital technology and have the confidence and capability to drive forward digital transformation, sharing and learning from best practice.”

For care providers:

• Ensure that staff in leadership positions possess the necessary knowledge and skills to drive digital transformation across the organisation and cultivate digital confidence within their teams. Assistance can be obtained through the Digital Skills Training Database.
• Develop clear investment plans to effectively integrate digital technology throughout the organisation, focusing on supporting person-centred care.
• Guarantee that leaders continuously understand the initial and ongoing infrastructure requirements in care settings, including necessary investments in reliable connectivity and appropriate devices.
• Utilise accurate and timely data to comprehend the care needs and outcomes of the individuals they support, ensuring that data sharing and usage align with data protection laws and the common law duty of confidentiality when providing direct care.
• Engage with and inform individuals about how and why their confidential information is used, as well as the choices they have in this regard. Share information on and adhere to the national data opt-out, where applicable.
• Collaborate with Integrated Care Systems (ICS) and leverage funding opportunities to test and scale technologies, while sharing experiences with others in the sector and evaluating the benefits and impacts.

Success measure 2: Ensure smart foundations -

“Your organisation has modern and secure digital infrastructure, and staff have reliable access to comprehensive and up-to-date digital records.”

Care Providers Should:

• Understand and plan for appropriate levels of broadband connectivity to support the use of digital technology throughout their premises.
• Establish robust and comprehensive WiFi networks that provide connectivity for all users in all areas of their care settings. This includes ensuring access for individuals receiving social care to support their independence and well-being.
• Provide staff with mobile devices that have sufficient connectivity to enable the usage of Digital Social Care Records (DSCRs) or other care technologies in domiciliary care settings or where broadband coverage is limited in residential settings.
• Possess the confidence, skills, and knowledge to identify, recommend, and utilise suitable digital technology to deliver high-quality care. This includes using software and devices such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets to ensure that care workers have access to the necessary information.

Success measure 3: Safe practice –

“Good data and cyber security mean organisations can safely use and share information which can improve care and support for people.”

Care providers should:

• Meet the obligations set forth by the UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, and adhere to the common law duty of confidentiality.
• Establish and maintain suitable cyber security and information governance functions, including appointing data protection officers.
• Comprehend, adhere to, and enhance data protection and cyber security measures, including staff training plans.
• Utilise the assured supplier list to ensure that your Digital Social Care Record (DSCR) solutions possess the necessary safety and security systems and that procedures are consistently upheld and enforced according to industry standards.

Success measure 4: Support workforce –

“Supporting your workforce means developing a skilled, capable workforce who can confidently identify, recommend and use appropriate technology safely and effectively for people drawing on social care.”

Care providers should:

• Ensure that staff have a comprehensive understanding of and possess the necessary skills and confidence to effectively use appropriate digital technology in their roles.
• Implement suitable solutions to support all staff in building their digital skills and confidence. This includes providing support and training for digital leaders.
• Incorporate digital skills training into induction and appraisal processes for all staff, including agency staff.
• Facilitate peer-to-peer digital learning opportunities, which may involve designating certain staff members as “digital champions.”

Success measure 5:  Empower people –

“A person-centred approach to the design and use of digital technologies can improve people’s quality of life and wellbeing and support independence.”

Care providers should:

• Collaborate with individuals to co-produce and personalise care plans, actively involving their family, friends, and carers. This approach supports person-centred care, offering choice and control in how care is delivered, whether virtually or in person.
• Empower the individuals you support to utilise digital technologies that can enhance their well-being, communication, and independence.
• Promote secure access for families, friends, and carers to view a person’s DSCR. All solutions listed on the assured supplier list provide this functionality.

Success measure 6: Improve care –

“Effective use of digital technology, data and processes can support the delivery of outstanding quality and personalised care and support at the right place and at the right time.”

Care providers should:

• Foster a culture of continuous learning to identify opportunities for integrating digital technology into their care and support services, aiming to enhance people’s outcomes.
• Actively utilise DSCRs to drive service improvements and deliver high-quality, personalised care.
• Share knowledge and evidence that demonstrates the positive impact of new digital solutions on the individuals they support, staff, and the organization as a whole.
• Utilise available data to facilitate quality monitoring, learning, and continuous improvement processes.

Success measure 7: Healthy populations –

“Having good data to understand and plan for the needs of the population (whether at a community level or individual level) means that we can reduce inequalities and improve outcomes for all people.”

Care providers should:

• Refer to guidance, such as that available on the information governance portal, to ensure the lawful and appropriate use of data, considering GDPR and other relevant legal obligations.
• Utilise data management and analysis to monitor the health and well-being of the individuals they support, leveraging insights to identify suitable solutions or preventive support to enhance outcomes.
• Utilise data to proactively identify potential issues, enabling more responsive care and promoting overall health and well-being to improve outcomes for the individuals in their care.
• Harness data to improve the well-being of the individuals they support, allowing them to lead a life of their choosing, even in later stages of life.
• Leverage data and analytics to identify areas for service improvement, enhance service quality and safety, and assess compliance with regulatory requirements.

You can view the full update on the changes on the government website here. Alternatively, if you wish to start your digital journey and want to find out more about care control feel free to get in touch with our sales team either through our book a demo form or call us today.