Digital transformation in adult social care is no longer optional. The pace of innovation—driven by workforce pressures, integration, and public expectation—is reshaping how care is delivered, recorded, and experienced. As a DASS, you have a leadership role in ensuring that technology is used ethically, inclusively, and for the right reasons.
Technology should not replace relationships—it should amplify humanity, improve quality of life, and support better outcomes.
From wearable devices to predictive analytics, digital tools are now part of everyday care. Used well, they can:
- Support people to live independently at home for longer.
- Reduce administrative burden and duplication.
- Improve access to information and insight.
- Enable earlier intervention through better data sharing and coordination.
- Create new roles and ways of working.
But progress is patchy. The digital maturity of social care lags behind health, and implementation is often fragmented. That’s where your leadership comes in.
Digital is not just an IT issue—it’s a strategic opportunity. As a DASS, you should:
- Embed digital transformation in your strategic plan, not just service delivery.
- Work with Chief Digital Officers and ICS leads to shape place-based priorities.
- Champion inclusion—ensuring older people, disabled people and carers aren’t left behind.
- Promote co-design with people who draw on care and support.
- Support the workforce with the right tools, training and digital confidence.
Technology must align with your values and duties under the Care Act. That means promoting independence, wellbeing and dignity—not just efficiency.
AI and machine learning are beginning to reshape how risk is assessed, resources are targeted, and trends are predicted. In adult social care, this could mean:
- Using predictive models to anticipate hospital admission or safeguarding risks.
- Automating routine admin tasks—like case note analysis or triage.
- Enhancing insight into demand, need, and equity.
But AI also raises significant questions. Bias, transparency, consent and governance must be actively managed. Directors have a duty to ensure that:
- AI tools are explainable, auditable and accountable.
- Decisions remain human-led and relational.
- Data is used ethically, in ways that build trust and reflect lived experience.
Work with your data analysts, commissioners and partners to understand the opportunities—and the risks.
Digital transformation must support the workforce, not burden it. That means:
- Involving frontline staff early in design and procurement.
- Providing tailored digital training and mentoring.
- Creating roles such as digital champions or hybrid practitioners.
- Ensuring digital systems are usable, accessible, and embedded in supervision and reflection.
When digital tools help reduce paperwork and duplication, staff can spend more time on what matters—building relationships, understanding lives, and supporting change.
Digital should be part of the way your system works—not a standalone project. This means:
- Using TEC (Technology Enabled Care) in commissioning and discharge planning.
- Embedding digital inclusion in strategies for prevention, carers and community wellbeing.
- Working across ICSs to shape shared digital infrastructure and interoperability.
- Planning for cyber security, data protection, and digital continuity.
Your leadership can ensure digital becomes part of the DNA of person-centred, proactive care.
Technology can enhance lives, connect systems, and unlock potential—but only if it is used ethically, inclusively, and with care. As DASS, your job is to lead transformation that puts people first.
Don’t digitise poor practice. Use technology to create time, insight and space for what matters most: human connection.
More resources:
LGA & ADASS (2018) Integrated Commissioning for Better Outcomes: a commissioning framework
LGA & NHS Confederation (2023) Integrated Care Partnerships: Driving the future vision for health and care https://www.local.gov.uk/publications/integrated-care-partnerships-driving-future-vision-health-and-care
LGA (2022) Strategic collaborative planning and commissioning – a guide https://www.local.gov.uk/publications/strategic-collaborative-planning-and-commissioning-guide
LGA Adult social care: digital skills resources
Department of Health and Social Care (2023) Digital working in adult social care: What Good Looks Like https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/digital-working-in-adult-social-care-what-good-looks-like
Research in Practice (2023) resources Embedding digital technology in social care practice
NHS Digitisiing Social Care programme – information, guides & resources