The Department of Health & Social Care has shared findings from the 2025 adult social care provider technology survey, setting out to identify current status of tech adoption and any barriers to such adoption, to help inform policy development and wider understanding across the sector.
1,085 care providers were represented in survey responses, with 49 percent of those being smaller providers supporting 11 to 50 people, and 23 percent being “micro providers” supporting 10 people or fewer. 57 percent were domiciliary care providers, and 33 percent were residential, with the remaining providers split across supported living (six percent), both domiciliary and residential (three percent), and “other” (one percent).
27 percent of respondents reported not using any care technologies to support their services, rising to 40 percent amongst micro providers. 43 percent stated that monitoring equipment with sensors was in use at their organisation, with 35 percent using personal alarms, 34 percent using video conferencing, and 25 percent using health and wellbeing apps. 14 percent used audio assistants, 6 percent used smartwatches, 5 percent used voice-operated or remote-controlled technology, and 3 percent used virtual reality.
Larger providers were more likely to use care technologies than smaller care providers, with 64 percent of respondents from large providers reporting personal alarms being in use, compared with 38 percent from smaller providers. The exception to this was health and wellbeing apps, according to the DHSC, where use was consistent across provider sizes.
The survey also sought to understand how tech was being used by care providers to support business management functions. Answers submitted here highlighted that digital social care records were the most common form of tech in use in this regard, with 73 percent of respondents using them in support of their work. Digital rostering was the second most common technology, with 63 percent of respondents using it to support day-to-day management, followed by video conferencing (53 percent), electronic medicine administration records (53 percent), financial accounting software (52 percent), and HR management (51 percent).
Sharing barriers to the adoption of care technologies, the most frequently cited challenges were set up costs of technology and licensing costs, with 73 percent and 70 percent respectively choosing these options. 52 percent said staff training costs and staff turnover were a barrier; 41 percent cited cyber and data security costs; and 40 percent noted the availability of good internet connectivity. Service user reluctance to use technology, lack of digital skills amongst staff, and lack of digital skills amongst care recipients, were each mentioned by 39 percent of respondents. 34 percent said there was a reluctance from staff to use technology, and 30 percent said there were concerns about replacing face-to-face care.
When asked what kind of support would be required to overcome these barriers, 82 percent said funding support for ongoing costs; 67 percent said funding support for upfront costs; 58 percent said upskilling of the workforce; 44 percent said assurance that the technology is safe; and 41 percent said information to better understand available technologies. 41 percent noted that improvements to tech infrastructure like WiFi and broadband would help overcome these barriers, whilst 40 percent mentioned inspection guidance and regulation, and a further 31 percent pointed to information to help understand benefits of available technologies.
Wider trend: Digitally-enabled care
Liverpool City Council has highlighted its upcoming procurement for the provision of tech-enabled care for adult social care services, with an expected tender notice publication to follow in May 2026. The council notes its intention to “reshape” its adult social care offering in line with the Living Better Lives vision, with aims of helping residents live independently, stay connected, and improve wellbeing. Under this vision, tech-enabled care is labelled as a key enabler, promoting prevention, early intervention, independence, and digital inclusion.
Bristol NHS Group, a partnership between North Bristol and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston, has published a Group Clinical Strategy update, focusing on delivering joined-up clinical services, reframing how services are delivered, and reimagining the future of care. The first priority for single leadership teams within group clinical services is setting out a clear picture of what challenges they face across digital, workforce, finance, and estates, the group notes, and enabling strategies such as for digital services, are in development to offer the foundation for long-term progress. Plans include shifting care toward prevention and early intervention, making services more accessible, and expanding remote and digitally-enabled care. Routine face-to-face outpatient appointments will be reduced, and follow-up appointments will be delivered remotely.
HTN was joined by Ian Dove and Fiona Costello from Aire Innovate to share findings from a recent HTN audience survey exploring frustrations and pain points around digital systems. We covered the biggest friction points experienced by staff on a daily basis, where manual workarounds are still happening and why, priority areas for digital system development, and approaches to addressing these challenges.
