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Why digital skills are key for progressing your career in care

Claire Smout, Programme Head – Engagement, Care Workforce Pathway at Â鶹ԭ´´, discusses why digital technology is so important in social care and how digital skills link to the Care Workforce Pathway.

Digital technology has become a fundamental part of all types of care roles. From registered managers using electronic care planning systems to activity coordinators using digital games tables and our care workers supporting people to use assistive technologies, or engaging with digital training platforms, technology is enhancing the way care is provided and experienced.

As the sector evolves, new roles are emerging that place digital innovation at their core. This shift reflects a broader recognition “digital skills are no longer optional they are fundamental to delivering high-quality, person-centred care”. There’s also more roles being introduced to the Pathway with one having a specific focus on digital technology.

That’s why digital skills are included widely across the new Care Workforce Pathway for adult social care.

The Care Workforce Pathway is the first ever universal career structure for adult social care. The Pathway aims to improve recruitment and retention; to enhance the quality of care provided by having a skilled, confident and competent workforce, and to promote adult social care as a long-term career option for those working in the sector right now and for those that are interested in coming into adult social care.

The Pathway sets out what different social care roles look like at different levels and what skills, knowledge and behaviours are required for each role. In doing so it helps to map out what progression routes look like in social care.

For each of the role categories included in the Care Workforce Pathway, digital skills are included as one of the necessary attributes. This really highlights how important digital knowledge and confidence is for people who wish to progress their career in social care.

Within these roles the Pathway also highlights supportive resources to help people develop their skills in these areas. For digital skills the key resource highlighted is the Digital Skills Framework which defines seven key areas of effective digital working.

New role categories are currently being added to the Pathway. The inclusion of role categories on the Pathway are based on their contribution to the quality of care and support people receive. The following will be developed as full role categories; Nominated Individual, Activity Coordinator and Care/Digital Technologist.

The Care/Digital Technologist role is an emerging role in adult social care which is centred around digital technology and supporting people to use technology to live their lives well. This role was initially developed by Scottish Care and is currently being developed and tested by the National Care Forum for England (NCF). This role will involve supporting people with their technology use and creating a digital care plan for them for example, identifying if someone needs a new smartphone to enable them to stay better connected to loved ones or spotting the need for smart technology to be introduced that would make it easier for someone to keep their heating or lighting at a comfortable level through the changing seasons.

We’re really excited to see the first development phase of this role take place as it will open up an incredible new progression opportunity in social care for people with a passion for technology.

From building upon what’s already in place to moving forward with new roles and technologies, digital is here to stay in adult social care and it will only continue to grow. Our population is growing and changing and so are our care needs. People of all ages draw on care and support, and as a society most people are very used to using technology on a daily basis. That’s why it’s so important that our care staff are skilled and confident in using technology too so that they can support people who draw on care to live their lives the best they can with the technology that’s available to help them do so.

From strengthening existing roles to pioneering new ones, digital innovation is shaping the future of adult social care. The Care Workforce Pathway ensures that the workforce is ready not just for today’s challenges, but for tomorrow’s opportunities.

Find out more about #DigitalEmpoweredCare.

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