Integrated Adults and Social Care Services and Children's Social Care Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Statement of Purpose 2025 - 2028
What embedding Technology Enabled Care (TEC) means for Gateshead
The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) priority 'Best start in life' recognises digital poverty and the challenges for those who lack access to digital devices and connectivity to thrive. The Projecting Older People Population Information (POPPI) data predicts that the number of people aged 65+ with selected conditions/needs which may impact on their physical and mental wellbeing both now and in the future will increase significantly by 2040:
| 2023 | 2040 | |
|---|---|---|
| Learning disability | 863 | 1,025 |
| Moderate or severe learning disabilities | 115 | 131 |
| Autistic Spectrum Disorder | 385 | 458 |
| Depression | 3,547 | 4,206 |
| Severe depression | 1,147 | 1,371 |
| Dementia | 2,944 | 3,882 |
| Visual impairment | 3,172 | 4,523 |
| Moderate or severe hearing impairment | 28,536 | 35,94 |
| Falls | 11,006 | 13,429 |
| Mobility | 7,654 | 9,599 |
For Technology Enabled Care (TEC) to meet the demands of a growing population, we will seek to increase our utilisation and coverage to reflect the needs of all elements of the population to ensure no particular need, client group or level of deprivation are left out.
The ADASS report - A Time to Act - identifies the need to harness the potential of digital technology:
'We want to move from a system where digital technology is an add-on and digital innovation processes too often exclude people who draw on care and support, to one in which appropriate and affordable digital tools enhance the experience of providing and drawing on care and support. We want to ensure that there is appropriate and affordable technology to support the delivery of care and support systems, and this supports integrated working.'
Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill was published in November 2024 and, sets out plans in "Keeping Children Safe, Helping Families thrive policy to transform Children's Social Care. Social Care reforms (Stable homes built on love) is an ambitious programme of transformation for children social care and our partners, which outlines the vision for the future of Children's Social Care system and core legislative proposal focused on Family help; family networks; improving care for children in care and, workforce. A whole-system approach to reforming services which will include considering the end-to-end system of support from universal services through to care", harnessing the potential of digital innovation will be key to transform children's social care.
This shift in focus will be achieved in Gateshead through:
- using a wider range of technology solutions and applications
- making better use of data and insights in a timely manner
- creating a more proactive TEC approach to support independence and prevent, reduce or delay the need for care
- embedding a TEC first mindset across Integrated Adults Social Care Services (IASCS) and Children's Services