Transforming local government’s approach to digital care

A group of local authority partners will be supported by the Local Government Association (LGA) and transformation agency Rethink Partners to strengthen digital capability in local government. 

The programme will support 11 local councils to embrace care technology by adopting digital tools and solutions in adult social care.

A spokesperson for Rethink Partners said councils will receive direct bespoke support from the agency on all aspects of care technology,

Councils will also be supported to co-produce tools and content to share with the sector and develop a community of practice.

Rethink Partners said its collective experience of working directly with councils has revealed that councils who make the most progress have effective senior leaders championing and engaging with the work, alongside effective digital programme leads/commissioners.

It is therefore offering a digital leadership programme that works both with senior leaders as well as those delivering the work at the front line. This programme includes coaching sessions for leaders and aspiring leaders within councils and an ongoing programme of support in addition to structured content and sessions.

The Digital Platform is an open-access website that will pool together all of the information from the masterclasses and other resources, both from Rethink Partners’ collection of thought leadership articles and external sources that will help councils expand their knowledge of implementing digital care technology and making lives better.

Local councils taking part include Birmingham City, Telford and Wrekin, Stoke-on-Trent City, Dudley Metropolitan, Lincolnshire and Cornwall.

Norfolk, Hampshire, Gateshead, Rotherham Metropolitan and Nottinghamshire council are also taking part.

Abby Vella, digital lead at West Midland adult social services, said: “It’s great to be part of this exciting new programme with Rethink and LGA.

“We’ll be working hard to create a masterclass and best practice for the sector. Digital access and inclusion for all is something I’m really passionate about and this is just another building block for local authorities around the country.”

Find out more here.