Last Updated on March 26, 2026
The third annual PA consulting and TEC Services Association (TSA) study claims a lack of data-driven change threatens the sector’s progress. This is despite adult social care leaders across the UK arguing that Technology Enabled Care (TEC) is central to delivering sustainable care services.
According to the study’s findings, 78% of senior leaders want to accelerate their TEC programmes, and 96% say their organisation would rethink how care is delivered if TEC could enable prevention. Nine out of ten sector leaders believe that learning from each other will be one of the most effective ways to make progress over the next year. However, they want support from the wider TEC sector to build skills, confidence and capacity.
The report, named TEC outlook 2026: Sustaining progress, scaling impact, draws on a survey of 79 senior decision makers across 71 adult social care organisations. The results of the survey show a strong belief in the potential of TEC to improve outcomes and manage rising demand. Although, the report also highlights the persistent challenges around workforce capability, underuse of TEC data and uncertainty around long-term funding.
Reinforced by insights from PA’s recent report on digitally powered prevention, leaders are increasingly viewing TEC as a practical route to prevention, earlier intervention and better day-to-day decision making.
Commenting on the study’s findings, Robert Turnbull, care technology expert at PA Consulting, said, ‘TEC is fundamental to delivering prevention at scale and no longer considered a side project. […] The sector has a shared ambition to drive collective momentum but now needs bold, visible leadership and the confidence to embed TEC into everyday practice. With clear priorities, streamlined pathways for using TEC insight, and sustained investment, local authorities can unlock high impact results quickly.
‘This is the moment to move from promising pilots to population level change. If we can learn with and from each other and focus on the outcomes that matter – independence, earlier intervention and better use of frontline time – we can turn TEC into one of the strongest levers for a sustainable social care system.’
Alyson Scurfield, Chief Executive at TSA, said, ‘What this research highlights clearly is the importance of confidence and capability across the workforce. Technology only delivers real value when people feel able to use it, understand the insight it generates and apply that insight in everyday decision making. By sharing learning across the sector and building confidence, we can scale approaches that improve outcomes for people while helping services deliver more proactive and preventative support.’
To read the study, click here.
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