Technology
the wrong investment could cost more than just money.
Finding software that works for you There are a multitude of specific tools and features you will need from your software so that it meets the exact requirements of your service, your employees and your residents. For now, I want to highlight a few key things any care home provider should be interested in when looking to implement new tech into their organisation. So, when weighing up your software options, it is worth keeping the following in mind:
1. Upgradability – being future ready The care sector never stands still. New regulations are announced, care standards evolve, and there may be a possibility for you to expand your care offering, open more locations or acquire other services. Whatever the future holds, software solutions need to keep up with your organisation. Can the software easily handle that growth, or will it need replacing in a couple of years? A modern, flexible Software as a Service (SaaS) solution should be able to adapt to you as expectations shift, so you can ensure compliance and avoid costly disruptions. Because the last thing your organisation need is to be bogged down by technology that is simply not cut out for the job.
2. Cybersecurity – keeping data safe Your care homes run 24/7, seven days a week and likely manage a significant amount of sensitive information, such as medical records, financial details, and personal contact information. And your software provider has a duty to take data security seriously. Cloud-based software for example, encrypts your data, will automatically rollout system updates, and are designed to detect internal and external cyber threats so keep your service and resident data secure.
3. Interoperability – bringing it all together As a care home provider, you may well be juggling multiple systems – rostering, care planning, financial management – so when you are introducing something new, it needs to make life easier, not harder. Well- integrated solutions mean these different types of systems can ‘talk’ to each other and share information, cutting down on manual work and mistakes. Imagine every roster (no matter how complex the schedule was or varying the pay rates were) automatically updates with payroll, so everyone – from
March 2025
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back-office staff to care facing teams – get accurate pay first time, every time. That kind of efficiency allows for a holistic view of your operations and, most importantly, a smoother care journey for your residents.
4. Support – help when it is most needed Even tech savvy employees using the best systems can stumble when they do not get the right level of training, especially during those early days. As a care home provider, who may well already be stretched for time and resources, you cannot afford prolonged teething problems. That is where strong support from your software provider can make all the difference. They should offer hands-on help, guiding your teams through training and setup. But it should not stop there – think ongoing support, regular updates, and even asking for your feedback on the software and its features so they can keep enhancing the system with you in mind. A good software provider should feel less like a seller and more like a partner that cares for your organisation just as much as you do.
Future proofing your care organisation As you know, running a care home has always been a balancing act between delivering excellent care and keeping the organisation financially sound. The introduction of the new adult social care commission is set to bring both opportunities and challenges. And while its goal to expand funding and improve care across the sector is certainly welcomed, the reality is that this funding is not endless. Providers already face significant financial pressures, from rising operating costs to tightening margins. Furthermore, the details surrounding how this funding will be distributed – or even when – remain up in the air. With these uncertainties, future proofing the care sector becomes critical, and technology is a valuable tool to help care home providers get there. The right software can act as a bridge between delivering the high standards of care expected by government bodies and those you care for and maintaining the financial health of your organisation. Of course, no one expects digital solutions to solve all the sector’s challenges overnight. But what they can do is offer care home providers a much-needed foundation for navigating the pressures that lie ahead. Thoughtfully selected software, tailored to the unique demands of this sector, gives providers the flexibility and resilience to adapt to regulatory changes, manage
financial risks, and ultimately deliver the high-quality care your residents deserve – not just today, but in the years ahead. Above all, I am confident that we can all
agree that whatever progress is set to be made should not just be about addressing the sector’s immediate needs. It needs to be about building a system fit for the future. And investing in the right technology is not just about keeping up with the demands of today – it is about setting your care home up to lead, thrive, and serve well into the future. The road ahead may have its twists and turns, but with the right tools and strategies in place, I truly believe that care home providers can be prepared to meet the challenges head-on and emerge stronger on the other side.
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SCAN HERE
For more information,
https://www.oneadvanced.com/ campaign/new/health-and-care/ digital-transformation-guide-within- social-care/
Fran Kirke
Fran Kirke is OneAdvanced’s VP of care and has worked in the health and care sector for over 10 years. OneAdvanced Care is a portfolio of business software designed specifically for the social care sector. Over 50,000 care professionals have used – and over a million service users have been supported by – OneAdvanced’s solutions.
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