How digital technology can positively impact people who draw on care and support
06 Dec 2023
3 min read
We spoke with our Workforce Experts Advisory Group to get insights from people who draw on care and support and social care staff about what they think digital priorities should be and the positive impact which digital can have for people supported.
Some of the key priorities for digital support which our advisory group highlighted were:
- knowing how to stay safe online – such as being able to identify fake and scam messages, and avoiding viruses;
- how to use digital transport services and resources such as Google maps, bus trackers and Uber;
- how to use digital tools to complete tasks like online banking, ordering prescriptions, and claiming benefits;
- using assistive technology such as Alexas and smartwatches;
- knowing how to get the most out of their digital products and making them accessible, for example using voice commands to write messages.
Discussing the importance of staff being able to support with these kind of digital services, one of our group participants said:
If people don’t get this support, they’re isolated and excluded from their community or reliant on other people to do things for them.
Another added:
It’s an equality issue, everyone needs fair access.
We asked our group what care workers need to know to be a good digital leader. They said:
Know about the risks and have ways to manage these. Don’t let imagined risks stop people having equal access.
Make sure people have support to know about websites and apps and lots of time to practice.
Understand that some people don’t like change.
Teach the people you support right from the start how to use digital devices.
Expanding on how more digital technology can improve people’s care and experiences our group highlighted that it can:
- help people with their reading and writing;
- provide the opportunity to learn a new skill and be proud of it;
- support people to manage their money better and more independently;
- provide emotional, social and practical connections with other people;
- offer more access to information, memories and loved ones (for example on social media) which can reduce distress.
Summing up their thoughts on the importance of building digital confidence for people who draw on care and support, one participant said:
It must be about empowering people, reducing inequality and learning together.
Find more information and support about building #DigitalConfidence on our spotlight page.
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