The effective use of digital technology enables citizens, whether they are supported by the state or not, to access appropriate information and advice at the right time. In the case of Social Care one of the most critical things to get right is helping people to navigate what can be highly complex health and social care systems.

Digital Leaders and Agilisys Care recently combined forces to research and understand the range of views from the social care and digital sectors of the role that digital can play in delivering these citizens’ needs.

We wanted to know how digital can help local authorities manage and focus scarce resources or how technology might support the most vulnerable citizens, who are often less able to make good, healthy, independent decisions.

We presented and commented on the research with the help of Ian Ward, Head of Innovation at Agilisys Care and Kevin Kewer, Senior Advisor on social care, Local Government Association.

We discussed:

• How can digital support local authorities to manage demand and rethink the way they deliver services?
• How can the powers of technology help to develop a really compelling and personalised customer experience, helping people to take control of their own care?
• How can digital encourage bespoke and co-ordinated approaches to care and support that promote and enable greater integration of services?
• What role does the technology industry play in helping the social care sector to maximise the opportunities afforded by the digital revolution?