Image source: Lauren Hurley, No 10 Downing Street, Open Government Licence v3.0
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting has announced a new qualification for adult social care leaders in the skills to deploy and use technology in care homes and other settings.
The level 5 digital leadership qualification will be aimed at ensuring senior officials and managers have the skills needed to adopt digital innovations and new technology.
The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published a specification that includes requirements for accreditation and assessment, along with a minimum learning outcome and criteria requirements for the qualification.
Awarding organisations can decide which technologies to focus on. They include but are not limited to smart home technologies; assistive technologies, technologies worn by staff, telecare, diagnostic tools, digital social care records, business software and AI and robotics technology.
DHSC said the move is part of the shift from analogue to digital in adult social care.
Harnessing potential
Announcing the launch at Unison’s 2025 National Health Care Conference, Streeting said: “We will harness the full potential of cutting edge technology to transform social care, helping people to live independently in their own homes and improving the quality of care.
“By investing in skills training for care workers, introducing a fair pay agreement, and providing more opportunities for career progression, we will help retain the incredible professionals we need.”
In addition, DHSC is providing £12 million under the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme for courses and qualifications for carers, which will include training for the level 5 digital leadership qualification.
It is also setting up new job roles in the sector, and has updated the care certificate standards in line with the adult social care certificate qualification that was launched in June of last year.
The announcement was welcomed by the Local Government Association, although it said that further funding will be needed to fulfil the potential of digital technology in adult social care.
Tansformative for sector
Cllr David Fothergill, chair of its community wellbeing board, said: “Investment in using the latest technology in social care could be transformative for the sector, whether that is for system efficiency, data analytics for prevention or customer service. Therefore, it is good the Government has announced staff will be trained to use this to help provide the care and support people rely on.
“To go bigger on the use of tech and AI, funding will be needed for scalability, as well as standards and safeguards to reassure and engage social care practice, testbeds, implementation and expertise.
“But latest technology alone will not provide all the changes the sector needs, nor can it be a substitute for human contact. The Spending Review must provide much needed funding to tackle immediate challenges, lay the ground for the Casey Commission’s work, and support the care workforce, including for the fair pay agreement government is prioritising.
“Without immediate government action, care services will remain at risk, with devastating consequences for people and families who have cause to draw on them.”
