How to Make Digital Care Planning Work for Your Service — Not Against It

July 20, 2025

Digital Systems Should Work for You — Not the Other Way Round

For many social care providers, digital care planning systems promise efficiency, accuracy, and transparency. But without careful implementation, they can quickly become a source of frustration, duplication, and confusion.

The key? Make sure your digital systems work for you — aligned to your practice, people, and compliance needs — not the other way round.

How to Make Digital Work for You

Start with People, Not Systems — Shape your digital care planning around how your teams work and how people want to be supported. Systems should enhance person-centred care, not box it in.
Train, Support, Review — Provide practical, ongoing training. Gather feedback from staff, people supported, and families. Adapt as needed to ensure the system helps, not hinders.
Integrate Where Possible — Avoid duplication by integrating digital tools with your other systems for HR, medication, incident reporting, and rostering where practical.
Use Data to Improve, Not Just Report — Digital tools give you data. Use it to understand trends, identify risks, and strengthen care planning — not just tick boxes for CQC.

Commissioners & CQC Expectations

Commissioners and CQC increasingly expect digital systems — but they value quality outcomes over technology for its own sake. Your tenders and inspections should focus on:

How digital supports better care and safety
How it reduces duplication and enhances efficiency
How you use it to monitor quality and improve outcomes

Resources to Strengthen Your Digital Planning Approach

Written by Mike Harrison, Founder of Impact Guru Ltd — specialists in bid writing and strategy for social care providers

Visit impact-guru.co.uk to browse downloadable strategies, method statements, or get in touch about tender support.