Government publish ‘What Good Looks Like’ for Local Authorities and Care Providers
Yesterday, the government published a framework which sets out what good digital working looks like for care providers and local authorities in England. The framework is intended to be used by care services and local authorities who are responsible for digital transformation in care and can include a range of roles.
There are 7 success measures identified in the framework:
- Well led
- Ensure smart foundations
- Safe practice
- Support workforce
- Empower people
- Improve care
- Healthy populations
Safe practice
The safe practice measure details the importance of good data and cyber security arrangements so that care services can safely use and share information which can improve care and support for people.
The guidance recommends that local authorities use contracting mechanisms to incentivise care services to complete the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT). Better Security, Better Care is the official free support programme for care services completing the DSPT and local authorities are also able to access the support, including:
- Using example wording guidance developed by North West ADASS which aims to support local authorities include the DSPT in adult social care contracts.
- Access previous DSPT webinar presentations and webinar recordings for local authorities.
- Signposting care services to their Local Support Partner who provide free, tailored support.
The guidance also recommends that care services utilise the free support and guidance available through the Better Security, Better Care programme. The support is extensive and covers a wide range of data and cyber security resources. The guidance recommends that care services:
- Complete the DSPT. Care services can find and contact their Local Support Partner who can provide tailored support and help them use the DSPT.
- Download and adapt our data and cyber security business continuity plan.
- Access a suite of data and cyber security guidance resources including backing up data, using strong passwords, protecting mobile and tablet devices, and more.
- Train staff. Care services can use the managers’ discussion tool to check frontline staff’s knowledge of data security and use this as evidence for their DSPT assessment.
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