Data & analytics

WM-ADASS believes that by embracing data and analytics, West Midlands councils will deliver more personalised, proactive, and cost-effective adult social care and that frontline staff and leaders will have the insights they need to target support, plan for the future, and demonstrate improvement against outcomes that matter to people.

 

I like to think of Adult Social Care Data as a way of describing lived experience through numbers.

Richard Humphries, ADASS Trustee and WM-ADASS Associate

 

Delivering our vision relies on several key factors: 

  • the integrity and quality of the data
  • the data literacy and competency of users
  • the availability of effective tools for accessing, evaluating, utilising, and communicating data
  • robust governance and management controls to ensure secure data stewardship
  • an organisational culture that acknowledges the role of data in enhancing decision-making and improving outcomes for people drawing on care and support.

Data and evidence is central to our improvement programme and is pivotal to every aspect of the CQC assessment process. CQC routinely draws on performance, activity and contextual data before, during, and after its engagement with a council. Even when data is not determinative of a rating, it shapes the narrative and frames the lines of enquiry.

The region has already taken significant steps to strengthen its data foundations:

  • The ASC Data Capability Programme: building analytical skills, shared tools and consistent data standards across all 14 authorities.
  • The West Midlands ASC Data Hub: a shared online resource providing best practice, templates, dashboards, insights and regional analysis to support all networks.
  • Cross-authority data sharing: enabling networks to understand variations in performance, service models and outcomes.
  • Scenario planning and modelling tools: underpinning workforce, market shaping, cost-of-care, and integration work.

The regional investment in data capability is therefore not an optional extra: it is a core requirement for both assurance and improvement. Use links opposite for futher information.