Data and the drive to transform social care

Constructing the proof base

All of us share the identical purpose – to ensure our associates, households and family members reside life to the complete and, in instances of want, obtain good high quality care and help. On visits to care settings and native authorities, most not too long ago in Higher Manchester, I’ve seen the superb work of these within the care sector and the influence they’ve on individuals’s lives.

In comparison with different sectors, nonetheless, the care sector lacks robust analytical underpinnings, each when it comes to an proof base of what works and when it comes to information and acceptable entry to it for many who may benefit.

Information is prime to reaching good high quality, person-centred care and has the ability to remodel its supply. For instance, gathering related and well timed info – and making it available – makes it simpler for carers to grasp and reply to the wants of these they help. At a extra systemic degree, it helps native authorities be sure there are enough and acceptable providers to satisfy native inhabitants wants.

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated simply how a lot accessing the proper information in a well timed method could make an actual distinction. But, there may be nonetheless way more we are able to do collectively to harness the complete potential of information and drive innovation throughout well being and care.

Our roadmap to raised care information

A lot of this work is already underway. In 2021, we printed ‘People at the Heart of Care’, setting out our ambitions for social care over the subsequent 10 years, and in June 2022, we printed the Well being and Care Information Technique ‘Data Saves Lives’, setting out our dedication to enhancing how social care information is collected, shared and used.

Constructing on these commitments, we have now printed ‘Care data matters’, which units out our roadmap for remodeling social care information nationally. We’ve launched it as a primary draft, as we wish it to be formed by everybody touched by social care. To verify the proper information is collected, held, and shared, we’re looking for views from you through a suggestions type (see the hyperlink on the finish of this weblog), with a finalised publication by the tip of 2023.

Launching the ‘Care information issues’ is a crucial step in addressing transformation. We will obtain nice progress via streamlining and enhancing information collections, entry and driving digitisation. For instance, we’ll undertake a feasibility examine to supply suggestions on a brand new survey of unpaid carers.

By way of this, we’ll take into account how a brand new survey can fill gaps recognized within the proof base by authorities departments and the sector. It is going to present extra perception into the big variety of circumstances, experiences and wishes amongst unpaid carers. This is only one instance of the various initiatives underway.

Native interactions enhancing evaluation

Central to this are native initiatives, led by many companions – whether or not that be suppliers offering frontline care or these working in native authorities answerable for commissioning care – working collectively to seek out higher and extra revolutionary options to how care is delivered. I’ve seen wonderful examples of native and regional interactive evaluation instruments which have reworked how areas monitor efficiency of providers and other people’s outcomes, and it’s important that this native information transformation continues.

We’ve additionally launched updates to the Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework (ASCOF), to ensure it higher captures how social care is reaching the outcomes that matter most to individuals. These updates higher mirror native authorities’ duties for care and the Authorities’s priorities to watch whether or not persons are reaching good outcomes – and in the end, an excellent high quality of life.

That is an thrilling time for grownup social care, an opportunity to enhance how we use information to refine observe and provision and ensure well being and care providers are actually joined up. This may assist make person-centred care a actuality for all.

• an grownup who attracts on care and help or an unpaid carer, and their associates, kin and family members

• a care skilled and others concerned in delivering or commissioning care, together with these in management roles, volunteers, native and central authorities workers, and researchers