Last Updated on January 9, 2025
A new digital support programme has been launched for small care providers in the North West, West Midlands and South West.
Funded through the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology’s Cyber Local programme, this new service from the Digital Care Hub will seek to help providers with up to 50 staff to strengthen their ability to manage cyber security incidents. It includes in-person workshops, cyber vulnerability assessments, and webinars based on typical cyber incidents.
Cyber Resilient Care is being delivered by four of Digital Care Hub's local support organisations in partnership with its national team and police-led Cyber Resilience Centres. The workshops and assessments are available to ten care providers in each of the three regions and will prioritise CQC-registered services and day care. The webinars are open to all small providers.
Speaking about the launch, Daniel O’Shaughnessy, Head of Programme Delivery at Digital Care Hub, said, 'Digital Care Hub is delighted to offer this really practical support to small care providers. We know they often struggle to have specialist knowledge and skills in place to manage security incidents. Our Cyber Resilient Care programme will build their skills and confidence in an accessible, practical way based around typical cyber security scenarios that are most likely to affect small providers.
'This new programme builds on our existing work - it will be delivered by four of the trade associations that currently support our Better Security, Better Care programme. But we are also bringing in additional technical assistance from local police-led Cyber Resilience Centres, as well as adapting existing exercises and resources from the National Cyber Security Centre. So providers can be reassured that the support they receive is delivered by cyber and social care experts. It’s a great combination.'
The project is being run between January and March 2025. The following local support organisations are inviting small adult social care providers in their regions to take part:
- Partners in Care Dorset and the Registered Care Providers Association, Somerset: For care providers across the South West.
- West Midlands Care Association: For care providers across the West Midlands.
- Liverpool Social Care Partnership: For care providers across the North West.
If a care provider meets the eligibility criteria and have not been invited to take part by mid-January, they may wish to contact the support organisations. For more information, visit the Digital Care Hub website.
In other news, investment and reforms to improve adult social care have been announced alongside an independent commission to build cross-party consensus.