Digital poverty is often talked about in terms of access to phones, data or Wi-Fi. For the adult social care workforce, these are certainly important. Care staff need digital access to use electronic care records, complete e-learning, book shifts, view payslips or keep in touch with families and colleagues. Yet digital poverty is about much more than connectivity.
It is also about skills, confidence, trust and the ability to use technology in a way that is empowering rather than frustrating. For a workforce that is often low paid, time-poor and under pressure, these barriers can feel insurmountable. Too many care workers are expected to use digital systems daily without the training or support to do so confidently.
Digital Care Hub works closely with providers who want to help but are operating with limited budgets. Supplying devices or paying for data is not always feasible, but there are other cost-effective steps providers can take to tackle digital poverty. Many of these involve making use of free training, pooling resources and accessing funding that is already available.
Training as a route out of digital poverty
One of the clearest ways to address digital poverty is by equipping staff with the skills and confidence they need to use technology effectively. Skills for Care’s Digital Skills Framework provides a useful starting point, setting out the competencies that social care staff need. And they include a series of bite-sized eLearning materials.
The framework and resources cover areas such as:
- Using technology for person-centred care.
- Communicating through digital tools.
- Managing and using data.
- Staying safe and secure online.
- Understanding the ethical use of technology.
- Maintaining wellbeing while using digital systems.
Mapping staff confidence against this framework can help providers identify gaps and plan practical support.
The good news is that there are free resources tailored for adult social care. Digital Care Hub provides free eLearning on data security and protection, helping staff and data leads to meet data protection requirements – and complete the Data Security and Protection Toolkit. Our Cyber Game is another no-cost tool that makes learning about cyber security engaging through interactive challenges.
Beyond sector-specific resources, providers can draw on wider offers:
- Microsoft Learn and the Microsoft Digital Skills Centre for Nonprofits provide training on everyday productivity tools.
- OpenLearn from the Open University has a free short course on digital innovation in social care.
- Free Courses in England offers a fully funded Level 2 digital skills qualification aimed at care staff.
- Good Things Foundation offers free mobile SIMs, training and more to help individuals to overcome the digital divide.
Embedding these opportunities into induction, supervision, or staff meetings means they become part of everyday practice rather than an optional extra.
Pooling resources and working locally
Tackling digital poverty does not have to be something providers do alone – working together can help spread costs and create a culture of shared learning:
- Partnering with neighbouring providers: Several local care homes or homecare agencies can run joint training sessions, either online or face-to-face. This reduces duplication and ensures better attendance.
- Using local trade associations – including Digital Care Hub’s local support organisations: Many care associations already co-ordinate training. They can help broker relationships with training providers, negotiate discounts or apply for grants on behalf of their members.
- Engaging volunteers and students: Local colleges and universities often have students keen to gain practical experience. Volunteers from digital inclusion charities or libraries can also support ‘digital surgeries’ where staff bring their real-world questions.
- Sharing resources: Something as simple as pooling laminated quick guides or ‘how-to’ videos across several providers can make a real difference without additional cost.
The principle is simple – collaboration helps make digital inclusion more sustainable, particularly for smaller providers.
Funding opportunities worth exploring
Free training goes a long way, but sometimes a small investment is needed – for example, to release staff for learning time, to upgrade a device, or to bring in specialist support.
Providers should be aware of the funding streams already available. For example, the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) reimburses certain training and qualifications – including Understanding digital leadership in adult social care. Look out for local and regional innovation or transformation funds, sometimes channelled through integrated care systems.
Embedding digital support into daily practice
Training only works if it sticks. For many care workers, confidence grows not in the classroom but in day-to-day practice.
Providers can encourage this by:
- Appointing digital champions within teams: Staff who are given a little extra support and time to help their colleagues.
- Encouraging peer mentoring: Pairing more confident staff with those who are less comfortable.
- Offering microlearning: 10-15-minute refreshers built around the actual tasks staff do daily, like logging into a care app or joining a video call.
- Creating safe spaces to learn: Digital drop-ins or lunchtime sessions where staff can ask questions without fear of judgement.
- Celebrating progress: Recognising when individuals or teams have completed training or found new digital solutions.
These approaches cost little but help build a culture where staff feel supported rather than left behind.
Future proofing your staff’s skills
Another practical step is to build digital literacy into job descriptions and recruitment processes. This does not mean expecting every new starter to be a technology expert, but it does signal that confidence with digital tools is part of everyday care work. Providers can describe the core digital skills needed for the role, link them to the Digital Skills Framework, and make clear that support and training will be provided. By embedding digital expectations from the start, organisations create a culture where using technology is seen as integral to delivering high-quality, person-centred care.
Practical steps for providers
For those unsure where to start, here is a simple roadmap:
- Audit your workforce: Ask staff what devices they have, what they use digital systems for and where their confidence gaps are.
- Map against the Digital Skills Framework: Identify which skills are most urgent for your service.
- Signpost free training: Create a list of the best resources for your staff – starting with Digital Care Hub and Skills for Care.
- Pick a pilot group: Train a small team first, perhaps by appointing digital champions.
- Build peer support: Encourage buddying and microlearning in daily practice.
- Enrol on the Digital Leadership Programme: Run by National Care Forum, it is eligible for Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme funding.
- Work together: Consider working with other care providers to run joint training, or work with your local trade association. Gather feedback, celebrate success and share your learning with other providers.
Digital poverty is not just a personal issue for care workers; it is a workforce challenge with real implications for recruitment, retention and quality of care. With creativity, collaboration and commitment, care providers can make real progress – even on the tightest of budgets.
What measures have your care setting implemented to tackle digital poverty? Comment on this feature or join the conversation to share your thoughts.
Michelle Corrigan is Director at Digital Care Hub. Email: [email protected] Linkedin: @Michelle-Corrigan-Digital-Care-Hub