Qualification launched to teach digital leadership in adult social care

Wes Streeting, health secretary, has announced the launch of a qualification to teach care leaders the skills to use and deploy technology across care homes and other settings.

The Level 5 award in Understanding Digital Leadership in Adult Social Care will focus on tools which have been shown to improve the quality of care and reduce pressure on staff.

These include motion sensors that can detect and alert staff when a patient has had a fall; video telecare to allow remote appointments with doctors and carers to reduce the need to travel; and AI which can automate routine tasks like note taking or predict when a patient might need additional care.

Speaking at Unison’s 2025 National Health Care Conference on 9 April 2025, Streeting also outlined measures to boost the recruitment and retention of care staff including £12 million to fund courses and qualifications for carers to advance in their careers.

“We will harness the full potential of cutting-edge technology to transform social care, helping people to live independently in their own homes and improving the quality of care.

“By investing in skills training for care workers, introducing a Fair Pay Agreement, and providing more opportunities for career progression, we will help retain the incredible professionals we need.

“Our Plan for Change will make sure we have the people and the skills needed to build a National Care Service,” Streeting said.

The measures come as the first Fair Pay Agreement for the care sector continues to progress through Parliament.

In January 2025, the Department for Health and Social Care announced that it will develop a shared digital platform to allow up-to-date medical information to be shared between NHS and care staff.

The announcement was part of a wider package of reform for adult social care in England, which also includes provisions to boost the use of technology in supporting older people in their homes.

In 2025, Baroness Louise Casey will begin an independent commission to inform the work needed to deliver the pledges.

The commission will look at how the care workforce is recruited, retained and supported and set out a vision for adult social care, with recommended measures and a roadmap for delivery.