Assessing Your Current Digital Social Care Records System
The shift from optional to essential for digital systems in social care has been significant. Most providers are either utilising a digital system or are in the midst of implementing one. The pertinent question has transitioned from ‘Do you have a digital system?’ to ‘Is your digital system well-suited for your service?’
The pertinent question has transitioned from “Do you have a digital system?” to “Is your digital system well-suited for your service?”
This initiative built on a decade of digital advancement in social care, which was accelerated by the pandemic, leading providers to adopt various digital systems to deliver outstanding care. The campaign’s objective was to ensure that by March 2024, 80% of providers and at least the same percentage of care recipients would have a Digital Social Care Record (DSCR) in place. Although the goal was narrowly missed, the uptake of digital social care records has significantly increased from the 40% of providers using them at the start of the campaign. These positive outcomes have led the government to extend the campaign’s funding until March 2026.
System Evaluation
Incompatibility between systems and services is a growing operational concern for providers. ‘All-in-one’ systems may have limitations in their applicability and might not provide adequate support for complex or person-centred care. On the other hand, specialised systems may be disjointed, necessitating manual coordination by your team.
Conducting regular system evaluations is an effective method to pinpoint and mitigate these issues. This involves identifying the platform’s problems and gauging their impact on your organisation. It takes considerable time and effort to determine the optimal criteria for your service. A guide is provided to assist you in beginning this process.
Involving Everyone.
The digitisation process has impacted all individuals involved in care, making it a best practice to include the entire organisation in the evaluation. Frustrations with the digital system will be experienced by both carers and coordinators.
Your organisation encompasses various roles and responsibilities, and it’s crucial to engage them in the evaluation through interviews and surveys. Common roles include:
- Frontline workers who provide care and support
- Service managers overseeing individual services
- Area managers responsible for specific regions and/or types of care
- Central leadership in charge of strategy, policy, and compliance
If feasible, those who use your services should also participate in this process, such as when assessing the effectiveness of integrations with other systems like GP Connect, for example. A comprehensive evaluation of your system, considering a wide range of experiences, will provide a more complete understanding of its impact.