The big digital dream: Meeting the Department of Health and Social Care’s target for digital care planning

DHSC set a target that could make even the most optimistic care providers raise an eyebrow: 80% of CQC-registered providers and 80% of people receiving care should have a DSCR in place by March 2025. As the deadline has now passed, with the target already extended once after not being met in 2024, the pressure is mounting. So, what is the verdict? Are we making the digital leap or stumbling over our own cables?

DHSC has not exactly been shouting from the rooftops about hitting the 80% target, although it has hinted we might be close. Based on our conversations with care technology suppliers involved in grant-funded rollouts, a more realistic estimate hovers around 73%. Some insiders even suggest the true figure could be closer to 70%, or lower. But let’s not get bogged down by the numbers just yet. After all, this only represents the providers who received the grant, not those who are actively using or even fully implementing the new digital tools.

Here is what we can all agree on: progress has definitely been made. Before the DSCR programme, only 40% of the sector was using digital care planning. Now, that number is closer to 70%. That is a serious leap forward. But let us not forget those early adopters in that original 40%. They were ahead of the curve, rolling out digital systems long before the grant existed – only to find out funding was available after the fact. A bit of a kick in the teeth, don’t you think?

That said, let’s get real: 70% is still not enough. Would we be okay if only 80% of surgeons were using the right tools? Of course not. So why should digital care planning be any different? The ultimate goal must be 100% adoption across the sector – because it is no longer a nice-to-have. It is a must-have. While the spotlight has mainly been on those who received funding through the DSCR grant, we cannot overlook the many care providers who are pushing ahead with digital care planning on their own terms. In fact, we are seeing three distinct groups emerging.

The ‘not yet’ group

These are the providers still clinging lovingly to paper – or perhaps spreadsheets with more tabs than sense. Some missed out on the DSCR grant (timing, capacity or simply not knowing it existed), while others just did not see the urgency. Digital care planning might have felt like a ‘nice-to-have’ or a ‘next year’ project. We get it. Change is hard. And you have got a million other things to do.

But here is the thing: it is not too late. In fact, now might just be the perfect time. The sector has moved forward, the technology has come a long way and the case for digital has never

been stronger – clearer visibility, better data, less admin and more time for actual care. Sure, the DSCR grant was free money but it came with its own financial hurdles. Providers had to consider implementation costs, training and ongoing expenses that were not fully covered – a financial burden some simply could not swallow. Add to that the year two costs (the hidden costs of truly embedding a system) and it is easy to see why some did not take the leap.

But now, the market has evolved. There are more options, better support and a clearer return on investment. And while help is always available, we are seeing more and more providers taking the leap solo – and making it work. If you are in this group, maybe it is time to stop peeking over the fence and start getting inspired. The path forward does not have to be overwhelming and there is no need to become a technology expert overnight. You just need to be curious, open and ready to get started. After all, there is never a ‘right time’ to begin, but there is no better time than now.

The ‘we tried’ group

These providers took the plunge. They got the grant, selected a system and rolled it out – then, life happened. The system works… sort of. Some staff use it, others ignore it. A few features are switched on but most are not. Slowly, the dream of transformation fades into a mild sense of disappointment and the occasional ‘Is this it?’ moment kicks in. The system is up and running, staff did not quit, nothing broke and there were no data breaches. Mission accomplished, right? Well, not quite.

Here is the thing no one wants to admit: you are not alone. Most providers are in the same boat. The reality is, using just 20% of a care planning system will not move the needle. It is not transforming anything. Staff remain underwhelmed and the experience for people supported does not improve. What started as a big digital dream has shifted into just ‘getting it done’ – with little fanfare or celebration along the way.

But here is where things can turn around: this group does not need to scrap everything and start over – they need a reset. Sometimes, it is as simple as revisiting training. Sometimes, it is about getting a bit more help from your supplier. Sometimes, it is tweaking internal processes so they line up with the system’s full potential. And sometimes, it just takes stepping back (with a bit of help) to figure out where things went off track and how to get back on course.

Some providers in this group are already doing this – quietly making tweaks, reclaiming their systems and finally seeing the benefits they were promised. So, do not settle for just 20%. You have already got the foundation in place. Now it is time to unlock the full potential of your system. No need to start from scratch. You just need to reset, refine and get things working for you.

The ‘what’s next?’ group

Ah yes, the digital care overachievers. These providers did not just adopt digital care planning – they ran with it. Systems? Fully embedded. Staff? Confident and engaged. Impact? Tangible. They have done the hard work, seen the results and now they are on the hunt for what is next. They have embedded systems properly, upskilled their teams and made digital part of the everyday. Now, they are not asking whether it is working, they are asking what else they can improve. AI? Medication management? Workforce planning? Assistive technology? Smart reporting and predictive analytics? Integrated systems? Yes, yes and yes.

This forward-thinking group is building the foundations for connected ecosystems and exploring how real-time insights could reshape care delivery. They are setting themselves up for smarter, more efficient care systems that will be ready to take advantage of the digital future. They are not just using technology – they are using it well. And in doing so, they are raising the bar. Watching from the sidelines? It is hard not to feel a bit envious. But here is the kicker: they are not doing anything magical. They started where everyone else did – one system, one step at a time.

The difference is, they did not just stop at the basics. They invested time, budget and resources into their projects; committing to proper procurement, change management and engaging staff along the way. They did not just ‘do’ digital care planning – they got their teams involved in making it work. Now, they are reaping the rewards: time saved, stress reduced, outcomes improved and a reputation as digital frontrunners. If you are not already asking, ‘What is next for us?’, it might be time to start. Because while they are shaping the future, the rest of us risk getting stuck in the (paper-based) past.

Looking ahead

Whether or not the 80% target has been hit, the real question is not about numbers – it is about outcomes. It is about how well digital tools are being used and whether they are making life better for staff and the people they support.

The DSCR programme has moved the sector forward in a big way but this is just the beginning. The most meaningful progress happens after the funding ends, when providers are left with the real task: embedding, evolving and elevating their use of tech. At Guided Innovation, we are committed to supporting that journey. Whether you are just starting out, looking to reset or ready to scale up, we are here to help you move with confidence, clarity and care. So, what group are you in? And, more importantly, where do you want to be next?

Blythe Senior, Director of Professional Services