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What people do in their work

This section outlines the kind of responsibilities someone within this role category is likely to undertake as part of their role.

This role category uses technology to enhance care for people who draw on care and support, to be able to live their lives more independently and to prevent harm. This may involve:

• helping to identify and install technology that empowers people to manage their wellbeing and maintain independence
• educating people and supporting them and their families to grow their confidence in using new technologies
• providing ongoing support and follow up visits, adapting technology solutions as their needs change
• making sure you stay up to date with new technologies that can be used in care

This role category could be across a variety of settings, providing tech-based solutions:

• in people’s own homes
• in residential settings
• through supported independent living
• in day services

While you will not provide support with direct care tasks like personal care, as a care technologist you will have an understanding of how to support people with these tasks so you can better recommend technology solutions.

As a care technologist you may work either directly for a care organisation or as part of a wider network (for example, a local council).

Values

Values are the foundation underpinning the behaviours that people in this role category must show.

The values are:

• kind, compassionate and empathetic
• honest, trustworthy and reliable
• respect
• courageous and principled
• see the whole person
• flexible, open and learning
• proud and positive

The behaviours people must show (must do)

Behaviours are the way that values are demonstrated in practice.

This section outlines the behaviours that you need to work within this role category. These are the things people must be doing in their job.

Kind, compassionate and empathetic

You must act with compassion, engaging in a culture of care, empathy, openness and inclusivity in your practice.

Honest, trustworthy and reliable

You must:

• ensure that technology is accessible, inclusive and respectful of diverse needs and abilities
• consider data protection, safety and ethical implications in all tech-related decisions
• practise the ethical use of data and technologies in adult social care
• take ownership of actions and decisions related to technology

Respect

You must:

• personally promote equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights, ensuring you are sensitive to people’s culture, age, gender, religion, race, sexual orientation and disability
• treat everyone with dignity, sensitivity and respect, acting with integrity while interacting with others

Courageous and principled

You must:

• respond appropriately to sensitive information, using sound judgement and emotional awareness
• challenge yourself to try new things, supporting others to do the same

See the whole person

You must:

• promote individuals’ dignity, autonomy and quality of life, placing them at the centre of their care
• actively listen to individuals, families and colleagues to understand needs and build trust before recommending technology
• show patience and adaptability, recognising individuals’ different paces and styles of engagement with technology
• ensure person-centred care remains the priority, with technology enhancing, not replacing, personalised support

Flexible, open and learning

You must:

• welcome and support use of new technologies and digital innovations
• stay up to date with emerging health and adult social care technology trends to improve care
• ensure artificial intelligence (AI) is used safely, ethically and to enhance care outcomes
• support ethical data use and responsible innovation across your organisation or system
• proactively engage in continuous training on priority health and care technologies
• be open to feedback, using it to refine your practice and to participate in improving outcomes
• proactively look, listen and question to understand and learn from others, including internally in your organisation and from external partners

Proud and positive

You must:

• take pride in your role in adult social care, empowering colleagues to also take pride in the work they do, celebrating achievements and success
• demonstrate an energy and enthusiasm for your work, ensuring the focus is always on providing the best outcomes for people who draw on care and support

Working together

You must:

• build positive and collaborative relationships with colleagues, stakeholders and people who draw on care and support
• collaborate with colleagues, individuals, families and external stakeholders to co-design technology solutions
• help individuals and colleagues to understand and use technology effectively
• support, educate and reassure families and support networks to build confidence and trust in technology

Professionalism

You must:

• promote the importance of safeguarding in all aspects of practice and support early identification and appropriate escalation of any concerns
• demonstrate a commitment to maintaining confidentiality and ethical standards
• demonstrate and set high standards of personal and professional behaviour

Knowledge and skills people should have

Knowledge is the understanding someone needs to carry out the responsibilities of the role.

Skills are the ability to apply that knowledge in practice.

This section outlines the knowledge and skills someone working in this role category should know and the things they should be able to do in their job.

Minimum knowledge and skills in this role category

It is essential to possess a foundational understanding of the adult social care sector. This includes awareness of the:

• conditions individuals may experience
• support they may require in the course of your duties

You should complete a thorough and robust induction. This should provide you with the baseline knowledge and skills you’ll need to provide compassionate, safe and high-quality support.

For further information on what knowledge and skills care technologists should develop as part of their induction see the ‘Minimum knowledge and skills that make you safe to practise’ and ‘Consolidation of minimum skills and additional Care Certificate learning’ sections in the ‘New to care’ role category on the Care workforce pathway landing page. Some knowledge and skills from the section ‘Additional skills that are useful across all settings’ may also be suitable depending on the setting.

See the ‘Knowledge and skills breakdown for this role category’ section below for more detail.

Diversity of practice: setting-specific training

As part of this role category, you may also need to complete setting-specific training, such as completing dementia training when working in a dementia care setting. This will give you a wider understanding of how to better support appropriate technology provision. We expect organisations to define their own setting-specific training based on the needs of the people drawing on care and support.

Digital skills

As part of learner knowledge and skill development, you can also work to level 1 (digital skills for all) of the .

Within this role category, we would expect you to show all level 1 competencies. All level 2 competencies (digital skills to go further) could also be utilised within this role category.

Knowledge and skills breakdown for this role category

Understanding and using technology enabled care (TEC)

You should:

• understand TEC systems, devices and their role in promoting independence and safety
• be able to use technology purposefully to enhance outcomes for individuals, supporting their goals, independence and wellbeing
• be able to install, maintain and troubleshoot TEC and assistive technology or work effectively with others to ensure these tasks are completed in a timely manner
• promote and monitor the secure use of TEC and assistive technology with individuals
• understand interoperability challenges and be able to flag and articulate issues and solutions
• understand the legal basis of contracts and maintenance of the equipment, data and technologies supplied or purchased

Understanding TEC maintenance and usability

You should:

• understand how to support individuals to ensure they have reliable and secure internet to use TEC
• understand how to properly utilise and record information into an assured digital social care record (DSCR)
• be able to ensure data from care technology is of a high standard and used effectively to inform the ongoing deployment of digital technologies and tools

Develop digital literacy

You should:

• understand how to effectively use digital tools, platforms and care systems to support high-quality care
• apply digital skills to support effective and person-centred care planning
• be able to support individuals to build confidence and capability in using and understanding the function of digital technologies in reablement
• understand and use assistive technologies to enhance individuals’ independence and well-being

Understanding effective assessment and reporting

You should:

• be able to conduct holistic, person-centred assessments to identify appropriate and suitable technology to enhance person-centred provision
• ensure technology is introduced only after understanding the individual’s needs, preferences and barriers, maintaining a person-centred approach throughout
• be able to create tailored tech-enabled care or support packages that suit individuals’ requirements
• be able to capture and record personal ‘I’ statements in digital care plans and support records
• be able to provide continued guidance to ensure individuals can use technology confidently and effectively over time
• be able to collect and use data to inform improvements and demonstrate effectiveness
• be able to conduct research and evaluation to assess the effectiveness of rapidly developing technologies
• understand when partnerships with specialist suppliers are needed
• be able to support individuals’ access and understanding of how to use specialist technology

Understanding how to communicate effectively

You should:

• have clear, empathetic communication with individuals, carers and professionals
• understand how to communicate technology clearly and effectively from an outcomes-based perspective to both individuals and professionals
• be able to adapt your communication style to meet diverse needs and ensure accessibility and understanding for all

Understanding how to work in collaboration

You should:

• be able to work in partnership with multi-agency teams, including health, social care and commissioning, to provide technology solutions
• be able to contribute to decision making relating to how technology is used to support care in your setting
• understand the importance of safe digital communication that protects individuals’ data and privacy

Managing your time

You should:

• be able to manage caseloads, documentation and service provision efficiently
• understand when additional support is required and where to escalate concerns

Understanding how to problem solve and support innovation

You should be able to:

• use technology creatively to meet care needs and improve outcomes
• develop innovative solutions to technology challenges, including engaging individuals’ support networks to offer solutions where necessary
• anticipate potential issues and have ready-to-implement solutions to ensure uninterrupted care for individuals using technology
• manage remote connectivity and troubleshoot issues to maintain consistent access to digital care tools

Understanding health and social care systems

You should:

• be familiar with the relevant adult care frameworks for your setting, safeguarding and multi-agency working
• understand that technology is a tool to enhance care provision
• use advocacy skills to help individuals access funding and support
• understand relevant procurement pathways such as grants and other forms of funding that can be used to support individuals with TEC and other assistive technology
• be able to support individuals in accessing grants and other funding for TEC and other assistive technology
• understand how your role fits within the wider health and care systems, including how commissioning decisions, local service arrangements and support from other professionals can shape the care and support people receive
• be able to support individuals accessing and navigating health and social care systems

Understanding risk management

You should:

• understand how to participate in risk assessments and outcome-based planning
• be able to feed into risk assessments related to technology and its integration into care provision

Oliver’s Training

Complete Oliver’s Training on Learning Disability and Autism: Tier 1 (if not done so already). Tier 2 can be undertaken in settings providing direct care to individuals with autism or a learning disability.

Suggested learning opportunities

The following are some of the learning opportunities available to support understanding and continued professional development within this role category.

Qualifications:

• Level 2 Introduction to Assistive Technology in Health and Care
• Level 3 Using Assistive Technology in Health and Care
• Level 5 Award in Understanding Digital Leadership in Adult Social Care
• Level 5 Award in Managing Assistive Technology in Health and Care Environments

Learning programmes:

eLearning:

Role category personas