Resources from across the sector to support and improve the knowledge and confidence of the registered professional workforce with digital.
The resources below were compiled as part of our 2024/25 “Improving digital skills in the professional workforce” support offer.
Below you will find a range of resources from the LGA and learning from across the sector to support councils and the professional workforce in their learning around digital in adult social care.
Digital leadership / digital skills
Digital leadership and the development of digital skills within the workforce can support the innovation and improvement of services in local government and adult social care. The resources below highlight the benefit of a digitally mature workforce and explore leadership through digital champion initiatives.
Digital leadership / digital skills: guidance
- Develop digital skills – Digitising Social Care
- What is a digital champion? – Digitising Social Care
- Benefits of digital champions – Digitising Social Care
- Introducing digital champions into your organisation – Digitising Social Care
- Digital champions toolkit – NHS England
- How digital ready is your organisation? – Skills for Care
- Digital Skills Framework – Skills for Care
- Digital champions – Skills for Care
Technology in adult social care
Technology has the potential to transform adult social care, improving efficiency, enhancing care quality and supporting independent living. The resources below examine digital transformation, the role of technology in the sector as well as providing real-world applications.
Technology in adult social care: guidance
- Digital working in adult social care: What Good Looks Like – Department of Health and Social Care
- Data Standards for Social Care – Digitising Social Care
- Regulating medical devices in the UK – Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
- Digital clinical safety standards – NHS England
- Digital technology in adult social care – Skills for Care
- Using technology in social care – Skills for Care
- Digital, data and technology webinars – Skills for Care
- Digital capabilities for social workers – Social Care Institute for Excellence & British Association of Social Workers
- Quality Standards Framework – TEC Services Association
Technology in adult social care: programmes
- Digital transformation in adult social care – Local Government Association
- Digital working in adult social care: What Good Looks Like – Department of Health and Social Care
- Digitising Social Care – Department of Health and Social Care
- Digital Social Care Records – Department of Health and Social Care
- Innovation hub – Royal College of Occupational Therapists
- Accelerating Reform Fund – Social Care Institute for Excellence
Technology in adult social care: case studies
- Case studies: Digital transformation in adult social care – Local Government Association
- Hft Virtual Smarthouse for assistive technologies – Home Farm Trust
- Smart City Use Care Library – The London Office of Technology and Innovation
- How technology enabled care has transformed people’s lives – Think Local Act Personal
- From tailored software to everyday gadgets: how technology enabled care is changing the lives of care home residents – Think Local Act Personal
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to bring numerous benefits to local government and adult social care. The resources below explore what AI is, how it’s already being used within the sector and what ethical considerations are associated with its use.
Artificial intelligence: Guidance
- Artificial Intelligence Hub – Local Government Association
- AI Unpacked – Local Government Association
- Using Generative AI in Adult Social Care Webinar – Digital Care Hub
- AI in Social Care: progress and plans – Digital Care Hub
- Ethical principles for the use of AI in social care contexts – Digital Care Hub
- Care Workers’ statement on the responsible use of generative AI – Digital Care Hub
- Oxford Statement on the responsible use of generative AI in Adult Social Care – Institute for Ethics in AI at Oxford University
- Understanding the emerging use of AI in social work practice and social work education – Research in Practice
- Principles and priorities for the responsible use of Generative AI in care and support – Think Local Act Personal
- AI (Artificial intelligence) – techUK
Artificial intelligence: case studies
- Artificial intelligence case study bank – Local Government Association
- AI in adult social care case studies – NHS England
Cyber security and data protection
As we consider the role of digital technologies in the sector, it is critical that we continue to protect sensitive data and mitigate cyber security risk. The resources below explore the regulatory requirements for safeguarding data and maintaining public trust.
Cyber security and data protection: guidance
- Security and resilience guidance and resources – Local Government Association
- Cyber 360 – Local Government Association
- Cyber Unpacked – Local Government Association
- The state of cyber security in adult social care – Department of Health and Social Care
- Better Security, Better Care – Digital Care Hub
- Data Security and Protection Toolkit – Digital Care Hub
- UK GDPR guidance and resources – Information Commissioner’s Office
- Cyber security and data protection – Skills for Care
Ethical considerations for technology in care
The use of technology in care services raise important ethical questions, from data privacy concerns to the impact that technology adoption may have on the human element of care. The resources below provide guidance on ensuring that technology adoption in adult social care remains person-centred.
Ethical considerations for technology in care: guidance
- The BASW code of ethics for social work – British Association of Social Workers
- UK GDPR guidance and resources – Information Commissioner’s Office
- Shared decision making - National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
- Digital occupational therapy – Royal College of Occupational Therapists
- Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) – Making it real – Think Local Act Personal
- Principles and priorities for the responsible use of Generative AI in care and support – Think Local Act Personal