The direction of social care systems - white paper

This document has been produced by Socitm Consulting to provide an insight into the evolving requirements for social services information systems and information sharing between health and social care.

It highlights the direction that such systems will need to travel over the next 2-5 years to support the growing vision of a modern and transformed social care service.

Socitm Consulting remains independent of all commercial system vendors, yet has a comprehensive view of all the major systems available. This document, therefore, focuses on the generic requirements for the future, rather than look at any specific software system. Social care is now more than ever under pressure to transform how it delivers its services – both in Children’s Services and Adult and Community care.

Key national agendas, such as the move towards greater personalisation in adult care, closer working between health and social care, and increased focus on safeguarding are collectively defining the vision of what is espected. A vision that also demands major changes for the information systems that support these services. In reviewing requirements the document focuses on the key national programmes introduced in England for the 152 local authorities with social services responsibilities, although it is recognised that there are similar pressures across the UK.