A new care role focused on embedding digital technology within social care to reduce unmet need and support staff has been extended following a successful trial in Aberdeen.

Care Technologists will now support independence, participation and inclusion across care at home, care homes and day care settings in East Ayrshire and Glasgow following a successful six-month trial in Aberdeen.

The ten-month project, led by Scottish Care, aims to improve independent living, increase flexibility of available support and widen knowledge on technology available for people accessing care.

By introducing a dedicated person to provide support and guidance with technology in a care team, the project aims to offer greater choice for people receiving care and, ultimately, reduce unmet care need.

Care Technology project lead, Katherine Long, says the openness to new uses for technology of the care provider, staff, and service users involved in the Aberdeen trial played a big part in the initial success of the project:

“Those who took part were able to live more independently with the assistance of technology in their daily lives, as they were able to manage their own daily routines with the support of tech and connect further with their social circles and families.

“The introduction of digital and tech-based devices as a means to improve wellbeing and day-to-day living also benefits those working in services. Fewer visits were needed for some individuals who were able to manage their support independently, allowing staff to deliver in other areas of need and deliver person-centred care in a more meaningful way with more time to do so.

“[Openness to new uses of technology] and a willingness to collaborate is a quality we are hoping to embed in the other areas involved in the next stage of this project.”

Three Care Technologists are now employed across the three areas, and will work with Baillieston Community Care, HRM Homecare, SRS Specialist Care Solutions and care homes represented by Scottish Care.

The project is funded by the Technology Enabled Care (TEC) programme run by the Scottish government as part of its Digital Health and Care Strategy.

The heads of two care providers involved in the project’s next stage – David Reilly of Baillieston Community Care and Lynn Laughland of HRM Homecare – say they see the project as a positive next step in social care.

Mr Reilly said: “We see technology playing such an important role in the future of social care, supporting our workforce and ensuring the best possible outcomes for the people we support.

“We look forward to the year ahead and seeing the impact that this project will have on the people we support, their families and our staff."

Ms Long says the role is designed to develop digital skills, confidence and awareness of technology opportunities of not only people receiving support, but also staff:

“Engaging and learning with staff forms a large part of this project and we recognise the importance of supporting the care providers as well as service users.

“We’ve already recognised in the early stages of this project that there are current sector issues which provide challenges for staff to find the time to access training and support to use technology available, therefore having a role that focusses on supporting staff to use tech will improve knowledge sharing inhouse and externally.

“It’s important to us that we work continuously on identifying what is working well and what can be improved to meet the individual’s outcomes, and the staff are integral to this.”

The three-person strong team is already working with people in similar responsibilities in other areas of Scotland to explore how the role can be improved and rolled out nationally, and the initiative has received interest from other care providers:

“The aim is that wherever you are in Scotland, you have access to a digital care plan component, enabled by someone with the knowledge and capacity to support you, in a community understood by the provider. If we are to deliver this in the chosen localities, we are hopeful there will be a wider uptake of this role across Scotland.”

Nationwide rollout would be supported by a national framework, to ensure quality and benchmarking during procurement and training, as well as learning and development opportunities for staff.

 

Read more: Insight: Care homes embracing technology; Why I created our Homecare Wellness Care Team

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