Apps

DHSC launches app for social care workers

The Department of Health and Social Care has launched a new app for social care workers, providing support through the coronavirus pandemic.

The app updates care workers with information on COVID-19 and provides access to guidance, learning resources, mental health support, discounts and other benefits.

Matt Hancock, Health and Social Care Secretary said “We have launched a new app specifically for care workers to make sure they have the most up-to-date guidance to keep them safe, connected with their colleagues across the country, which also allows them to access discounts like their NHS counterparts.”

“It’s available to download right now, and I would urge everyone in social care to do so.”

Helen Whately, Minister of State for Care “The Care Workforce app is there to help those frontline care workers ‒ from providing the latest news and guidance, to sharing stories to draw inspiration from in challenging times, and as a way of connecting colleagues from Cornwall to Carlisle. I hope it will help unite people working in care across the country.”

Kathryn Smith, Chief Executive at the Social Care Institute for Excellence, said “It’s more than welcome to see an app like this that’s specifically designed with the adult social care workforce in mind.”

“That workforce has many challenges at the moment, including how to keep services running during the COVID-19 situation; but also how to ensure that issues such as safeguarding, mental capacity and rights under the Care Act are not lost. We’ve all been using technology a lot more in the last few weeks and I’m sure that this will be a really useful addition to help the workforce to provide the best care and support that they can during the current crisis.”

A version of the app is also under consideration for NHS workers.

The app will be available to download from on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, as well as being accessible online at https://workforce.adultsocialcare.uk.