Digitisation of Social Care
We are your official local support partner in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire
DSPT deadline
DSPT Deadline Approaching: Are You Prepared?
Embrace the Digital Revolution in Adult Social Care!
The Future is Digital, and the Time is Now!
Adult Social Care is evolving, and digitisation is at the forefront of this transformation. While it may seem daunting, embracing digital solutions can significantly enhance care quality, safety, and effectiveness.
In 2021, the Government white paper, People at the Heart of Care, outlines ambitious plans to digitise the social care sector. With a promised investment of at least £150 million, this initiative aims to revolutionise care provision.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has emphasised the importance of digitisation. Mark Sutton, Chief Digital Officer at the CQC, stated:
"It will become increasingly difficult for providers to maintain an outstanding or good rating without having effective digital social care record solutions in place."
Ready to Start Your Digital Journey?
Start with us!
At OACP, we are committed to supporting providers and stakeholders, including local authorities and ICBs, across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire. We are here to guide you through the digital transformation of the social care market. It is easy to begin your digital journey with us. Whether you prefer a phone call or an email, our team is ready to assist you!
Get in touch with our friendly Digital Support Team. It's easy, pick up the phone, or pop us an email.
Contact our Digital Team
For all care providers across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire
Contact Us
Digital and Data Security Resources
Funding Advice
Stay informed about relevant digital funding opportunities through our newsletter, or contact us to find out more!
National funding opportunities can be found here:
Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT)
The Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) is a crucial self-assessment tool for organisations handling NHS patient data. Developed specifically for social care organisations.
It ensures compliance with the National Data Guardian’s 10 data security standards, demonstrating a commitment to robust data protection and cybersecurity. This is increasingly vital for maintaining high ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Key Benefits of DSPT:
1. Enhanced Data Security: Protects sensitive information from breaches and cyberattacks.
2. Legal Compliance: Ensures adherence to the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR.
3. Trust and Confidence: Builds trust among service users, families, and staff.
4. Access to Key Services: Facilitates better communication with NHSmail and shared care records.
5. Continuous Improvement: Encourages regular updates to data protection practices.
6. Meeting CQC Expectations: Helps maintain good or outstanding ratings.
Free Support and Resources:
We support you in managing your data and cybersecurity through the completion of the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT), ensuring that the information you hold, process, and share is kept SAFE.
Provider Digital Journey Insights
We’ll share provider insights including, good news stories, successes and ideas, and examples of how providers have overcome challenge.
Explore other helpful websites and resources:
Latest Newsletters and Blogs
Digital Innovation
Stay updated with the newest advancements in digital technology and innovation, including::
We’ll support you to manage your data and
cyber security, through the completion of the
Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT),
ensuring that the information you hold, process
and share is kept SAFE.
This also applies where you use a combination
of digital and paper record systems."
CQC's single assessment framework explicitly refers to DSPT within the quality statement Well Led:
- Governance, management and sustainability (Cyber security and data security and protection toolkit, DSPT)
Training & Tailored Support
Attend our Webinars and Workshops to access specific digital support and training.
OACP webinars and workshops -
contact us
for more details.
Digital Care Hub National webinars and workshops
Book a FREE 1-2-1 Digital Consultation with our Digital Support Officers. Bring your lunch, grab a cuppa, and chat with us about your digital ambitions, worries or achievements.
Access FREE, certificated, online data and cyber security training, developed specifically for social care organisations.
Access FREE, Certified, Online Data and Cyber Security Training
Digital Care Hub National Webinars and Workshops
Stakeholders, such as commissioners, quality teams, ICBs and local authorities, can access tailored support from our team to embed digitisation within the social care sector.
Upcoming Events
Stay tuned for our exciting upcoming events! Join us to learn, network, and grow together.
CQC Expectations:
CQC's single assessment framework explicitly refers to DSPT within the quality statement Well Led: Governance, management, and sustainability (Cyber security and data security and protection toolkit, DSPT).
Cyber Breach/Attack Guidance
Provider Digital Journey Insights
We share provider insights, including good news stories, successes, ideas, and examples of how providers have overcome challenges. Please contact us if you would like to share your experiences.
Latest Responses from some of our previous events and workshops
"Covered areas I required, and as per the agenda, lots of information and sharing."
"Very interesting around BCP and additional data protection to be applied."
"The workshop was very informative and offered plenty of templates to use. Free tool kit and the staff were brilliant."
"Relaxed, detailed, one-to-one support and useful resources."
Thank you for the cyber deep dive session and following up with in-person data lead training for our service-based management teams. We found both sessions to be thought-provoking, helping us recognise areas we do well and identify areas where we can continue to develop and improve processes, recording and training. Both sessions really helped us as a Senior Team cascade information to our service-based teams and gave us some useful ways to check out our employees’ knowledge and the tools to help them learn. The sessions also provided a wealth of resource links to enable us to continue our digital journey. Kelly Taylor, Managing Director at WhiteLeaf Support
Tailored Support for Stakeholders:
Stakeholders such as commissioners, quality teams, ICBs, and local authorities can access tailored support from our team to embed digitisation within the social care sector.
"Our partnership with Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers (OACP)
has been invaluable in supporting us to enhance
the data and cyber security measures
of commissioned providers.
Through their support, we have been able to use
the DSPT
to help providers improve their data and cyber security processes."
Matilda Moss
Head of Service, Integrated Commissioning
Buckinghamshire Council
This offer of support is part of the Better Security, Better Care programme, funded by NHS Transformation Directorate (formerly NHSX) to support data and cyber security across the adult social care provider sector.
