Digital champions are individuals who work in the adult social care sector, who support and empower staff to use digital tools more effectively themselves and have increased confidence, understanding and motivation.
A digital champion is an individual, usually a volunteer, who promotes and shares their knowledge, skills and enthusiasm of digital technology with colleagues and / or people drawing on care and support. They’re the ‘go-to’ people for that topic and the first point-of-contact when colleagues require support. Digital champions are usually staff members, but can also be within the community and support from the outside-in.
It's important to note that the role of a digital champion will usually sit alongside an individual’s day job. For example, a registered manager with knowledge and passion in a particular area of digital, who takes on the responsibility of being the ‘go-to’ person, could be considered a digital champion.
Benefits of digital champions
- empower staff and people who draw on care and support to use digital tools more effectively themselves
- increase confidence, understanding and motivation
- share best practice with colleagues
- support their organisation to introduce new technology
- increase the overall digital skill pool.
Introducing digital champions into your organisation
As a leader, you need to make sure you’re confident in your approach and have some knowledge of the digital terms that you and your digital champions may encounter.
Your workforce need to know that introducing technology within the workplace is your priority and you need to develop a positive workforce culture for your digital champions to work in.
You’ll need to equip your champions with the following tools to fulfil this role: