The Potential of ICT in supporting Domiciliary Care in England

Abstract

The report begins with a brief overview of the social care system in England, providing in particular evidence about unpaid carers (mostly family members, but sometimes friends or neighbours) and the paid home care workers, who support older, sick or disabled people of all ages in their own homes. The variety of ways in which ICT (including telecare) has begun to be used to support those involved in providing domiciliary care is then described, highlighting both major publicly-funded initiatives and investments, and some of the approaches embraced by voluntary and private sector organisations. Eight concise case studies are provided to illustrate more in depth the range of different ways in which these new developments are contributing to the support available to carers and care workers, including through online dialogue and debate among carers. The last part of the report addresses the particular focus on immigrant and ethnic minority carers and care workers, presenting some evidence from the range of available statistical data on this topic (and notes the limitations of the available statistics). Finally, the authors offer some conclusions and cautious recommendations.