Welcome to our newly rebranded newsletter containing news and updates on funding availability, skills development opportunities and useful resources as well as where to go to find out more about digital innovation in adult social care No images? Click here The iPads for Care Homes newsletter is now called the Digitising Social Care newsletterOctober 2022 We have been sending out the iPads for care homes newsletter since 2020, keeping you up to date on how to make best use of your iPad, as well as updating you on our wider work to support adoption of digital technology in the adult social care sector. As our programme has expanded, we have decided to rebrand the newsletter and continue to let you know about our work and share good news stories from across the sector. If there's something you'd like us to cover in a future edition. please get in touch
Update on our work
One of our priority areas of focus is to support providers in implementing digital social care records (also called electronic care planning). We know that adopting a digital social care record can save at least 20 minutes of a care workers time daily, freeing up valuable time to spend with people. We're also exploring how innovative care technologies, such as acoustic monitoring, can reduce and prevent falls, and in turn reduce hospital admissions. Adopting technology relies on good internet coverage, so we’re also working on how care home connectivity can be improved, so that everyone in the sector can benefit from digital innovations. And the more information that we capture digitally,. the greater the need for good cyber security – that's why we have support available to complete the Data Security and Protection Toolkit. Lastly, we want to ensure that you get the training and skills development support you need to make the most of technology and digital innovation. We’re developing and sharing skills and training resources so that whatever your digital skill level you'll get what you need. Each month we'll share updates and useful info on where we are with the programme and the support that's available to you. We’ll also share great examples of how technology is helping colleagues across the sector, as well as answering your questions. Voices from the sector John PowellUnicare, DevonJohn Powell, founder and director of Devon-based Unicare is a big advocate for the role digital technology plays in improving care. We asked him about the benefits he’s seen from this approach. "When we consider all the pressures that the sector is under, from all sides, then the benefits of going digital seem obvious. Looking at the time it takes to fill in paper records and sending info back and fore, it makes so much sense to get as much as possible online, not only to save valuable time and to be able to focus on care but also to be in a good place to be able to quickly share info with other relevant organisations such as GPs and social services. Looking forward, digital is going to bridge the gap between all of the organisations we need to interact with on behalf of our clients. In the future they’ll all be using digital systems so we all need to be able to share and integrate online.A digital approach to how we run the business has benefits not just in how much time we spend in delivering care but also in improving the quality of the care we deliver, because our teams always have the information they need at their fingertips. Take for example skin integrity reports, these can now done during the carer’s visit and shared with district nurses within moments if necessary. This means that the client benefits because we’re responsive to their needs and there’s less delay if something needs to be sorted or escalated. If there GP makes a change that affects the care plan then this is automatically updated in our records so the staff on the call know all about it. All of this helps to minimise risk, improve safeguarding and maximise appropriate care. And it also means that family members are reassured constantly at the touch of a button, that their loved one is being looked after. Using digital tools means that we can make sure that the care we give our clients is personalised to their needs – are there relevant religious beliefs, preferences or special interests? and so on - the sort of info that can make a difference is readily available via an app on the carer’s phone when they are making a visit. Staff working in domiciliary care can often feel very isolated. Using digital tools and apps means our teams are better connected, that they can feel as one team, day and night. There’s less time-consuming meetings and delay in sharing info or doing admin, this means that capacity is freed up for staff to focus on our core business, caring for our clients. Previously we had to ask staff to read copious pages of notes and care plans and keep them updated, now we can edit and change any relevant outcomes and tasks remotely and the entire care team is instantly updated at the touch of a button. What would I say to other providers are not currently using digital approaches to run their business? I’d ask why? Are you too busy to take the time to think about what you need? Does your team not have the skills or understanding about how it could be adopted? Are there financial concerns? The world is changing, it seems every generation, from my elderly father to my young son is using gadgets and we need to reflect his in how we work. My advice would be to make sure you have a robust onboarding plan for the software. Think about what you need now, what you might need next week and what you’ll need in the future. Make sure your plans are future proof, understand what’s coming down the line in terms of how we will need to share and integrate data in the future. Ask for advice – get in touch with local authority and ICS digital contacts or reach out to other providers who are further along in their digital journey, we’re all happy to help” Funding your digital investment Are you a CQC registered adult social care provider? Did you know that there's funding available via your local ICS to support investment in digital technologies? This includes the adoption of digital social care records, implementation of sensor-based falls prevention and detection technologies and work to pilot other care technologies. Find more info on what's is available as well as how to apply for funding here. Are you interested in purchasing an electronic care planning solution (digital social care record system) but unsure where to begin? Take a look at this easy to use tool which asks you some key questions to establish what you need and provides a list of software suppliers which have been assured by NHS England (Digitising Social Care programme) Our Regional Implementation Leads work closely with each ICS to share information with providers on how to benefit from the funding and support we have available. Speak to your ICS contact or email us at england.adultsocialcare@nhs.net for more information. Need help with digital skills? Last year we commissioned three organisations ( Ipsos MORI, the Institute of Public Care and Skills for Care) to carry out research which would help us understand the current use of digital technology and the gaps in digital skills in the sector. The result was a comprehensive review into the use of technology and digital skills in adult social care, including a series of recommendations for developing workforce digital skills and improving digital confidence. This research is now helping us to shape our digital skills programme, which will include provision of new training opportunities and resources to support digital skills development across the sector. Earlier this year we published the first draft of our Digital Skills Framework. It’s designed for people working in adult social care to develop the skills they need to benefit from digital technology, whatever their role. The framework covers seven key themes for effective digital working and can be used by social care employers to help with planning staff training, or by individuals for their personal development. (this work is ongoing as we learn more about what you need and we’ll be updating the framework to reflect further feedback over the next few months). We also published a Digital Skills Training Database which has links to a wide range of relevant training courses. We’d love to hear your feedback on the Training Database and draft Digital Skills Framework, please get via this feedback form Jargon Buster – what is acoustic monitoring? It’s so easy to slip into using jargon and acronyms when working with tech, assuming everyone knows what we are talking about. Each month we’ll share an accessible, simple explanation of a term that you may come across. Feel free to send us your suggestions too. Acoustic monitoring solutions in a residential care setting are audio sensors that can pick up sounds suggesting someone might be having difficulties during the night, alerting staff to a potential problem. The benefit of this approach means that there is a reduced need for checks on a person which may in themselves cause a disturbance. In addition, the technology gives an insight to an individual’s sleep quality and, importantly, they play an important role in falls prevention. This approach to monitoring frees up staff time so that they can focus on caring for clients who are awake at night. Did you know that October is Cyber Security Month? The threat of cyber attacks remains a real and present danger for any organisation, including social care. As technology becomes embedded into every part of our lives and work then we all need to be aware of what we can do to keep ourselves, our organisations and people we support safe online. Learn more about cyber security and how to keep your all of your IT equipment (from smart phones to your online networks) safe from harm here. Dates for your diary 12/13 October Visiting the Care Show? Come and say hello. We have a stand in the exhibition hall and some of our colleagues will be speaking at sessions in the Technology Theatre 18 October We'll also be at Epsom Racecourse with a stand at the regional Care Roadshow this month 19 October (10:30 – 11:15) Webinar: Supporting digital leadership in adult social care
We want to know what you think about digital working in social care Our team are collaborating with the Local Government Association and Masons Advisory, an IT strategy consultancy firm, to create a What Good Looks Like framework for social care What is What Good Looks Like? The What Good Looks Like framework will help care providers and local authorities to understand what good digital working in care settings looks like, and provide clear advice and guidance on how to get there. How can you take part? We are looking for care providers to help shape this framework. Can you spare a little time to chat (virtually) about what you would like to see included and what would most help you? If you want to take part email Henry Oshigbosin to let us know Where's the best place to find out more? There’s so much information out there about how digital innovation can support care it’s difficult to know where to begin. The best starting point is to take a look at what's available on the Digital Social Care website. It's a joint project between ourselves, the NHS Digitising Social Care team and the Care Provider Alliance, the collective national voice for adult social care providers in England. You'll find free, open source resources on a wide range of topics from how to select a supplier to run your social care records system to where to find training resources to support your staff in making the most of technology. There's also a helpline with staff available on weekdays between 9 and 5 to answer any questions you may have. How can I get in touch? One way to get involved in our work is to by join our Future NHS Collaboration platform (you will need to register to sign in). Where you can also find a range of helpful resources and information as well as have an opportunity to ask questions and give us feedback. You can contact the Digitising Social Care team at england.adultsocialcare@nhs.net (We'd love to hear what content you would like to see in this newsletter so please get in touch and tell us) And lastly, please feel free to share this newsletter with colleagues and encourage them to subscribe for updates. |