Day 5
Why Digital?

There is simply no argument in my view about the necessity of developing a high level of digital knowledge, skills and confidence in social care. Working with young people is a daily reminder of a fast changing world whereby young peoples apparent skills level and confidence frequently outstrips those of the adults who care for them. For many who are vulnerable of course their confidence in finding a way though the challenges of a digital world is equally matched by naivety about the innumerable risks - sometimes just adding to workers hesitation to fully embrace the potential as a learning tool   

The Social Care survey offers an interesting check for any manager and staff group to think more specifically about capacity and capability in the staff group. From experience the news sheet is very general even aspirational in some areas, and I feel that much depends on organisation scale, culture, financial investment, the user group and the range of workers experience generally. 

However I do share similar experiences of

Attitudes to using digital technology 

• Staff are keen to use digital technology 
• 60% of managers encourage staff to think about digital technology in all they do

Workers use their own personal phones or tablets for work (worrying because I found many staff unaware of the risks opened up through for example home networks))

Managers & Staff concerns

•  Staff access to digital technology is variable 
• Lack of workforce development in this area  
• Fast pace of change in this area 
• Concerns from a small minority that they would spend less time with the people they support 
• A small proportion were concerned about online security

In completing the test on capacity, confidence and knowledge I did find myself scoring above average though slightly lower on knowledge.

And knowledge is probably where I found most workers and managers fall down simply because its outside the comfort zone in terms of required professional knowledge and expectations so doesn't really get the time and cash investment to achieve good training and up to date technology. Yet the knowledge needed is wide ranging from technical know how, to all aspects of security and data storage and needs everyone's attention across an organisation especially those responsible for quality control checks and investment - so we avoid workers relying on personal devices and only peer to peer advice which can be ill informed. Whilst I see my knowledge as less than it ought to be, my motivation to improve is extremely high thanks mainly to input from an external expert who gave time and patience to that task in our organisation. As a manager I took the learning very seriously so I could role model to workers and managers.

Whilst it's worrying to hear workers speak of others outside their organisation using personal devices, and not password protecting devices that hold personal data, or storing photos without user permission, recording on personal devices which are not encrypted, then losing portable devices I do think that in an already pressurized care environment where protection of children and young people is at the heart of all there are legitimate concerns voiced by workers surrounding information security and the risk of compromising the organisation and young people. And we need to work through this.

So maybe if as managers and workers we can agree on the 3 or 4 key points of Why digital? we can develop a  more meaningful improvement strategy
For example

Digital is not optional

Digital use improves administration making better use of time

This means we can have better awareness of all our responsibilities for data protection and security and

Become more Confident and Positive conversing with young people about the digital world 

As a result we can better protect young people from Exploitation without denying the up side of all things digital whether for learning, improving interaction or simply having fun

As a manager I found 

• A tailor made secure voice to text system was an absolute boon and a win win for everyone - as a manager I was always up to date, I didn't have to harangue workers about case notes because they became a simple routine following contact - and of course supervision was always better informed.
• Regular in-house workshops and stronger policies with practical guidance of the knowledge needed to avoid the very serious pitfalls Works
• Coaching from experts was Essential to hone new skills
• The organisation needed to Prioritize Investment in this area  as the bedrock of Safe and Secure Practiice and felt that external input was essential