Launch of Project to Support Adult Social Care Sector with Data and Cyber Security
The Association is delighted to announce the launch of a project that seeks to better understand the digital, data and technology issues faced by social care providers of services to working age adults and how best to support them implement safe data and cyber security practices.
In collaboration with VODG, we will use surveys, focus groups, and events to analyse the preparedness, issues and obstacles facing disability and mental health organisations in relation to data and cyber security and look to promote best practice and information sharing.
The partnership will specifically engage with providers of services to people with a learning disability, those who are autistic and have physical or sensory impairments as well as people who experience mental ill health. This work will explore:
- the use of data security protection resources and the barriers to use,
- the obstacles to increasing the pace of digital social care and the support needed to progress,
- organisations data security and protection processes,
- Existing good practice.
Members can get involved with the project by:
- completing the survey, which will be emailed to all members in January
- joining the focus group of 10-12 organisations to participate in structured discussions with peers to share practice ideas and learning
- following developments on social media
- sending comments, queries and suggestions to digital.engagement@vodg.org.uk. We would particularly like to hear about the barriers in your organisation to increasing the pace of digital social care and the support you need to get there.
Kathy Roberts, Chief Executive of Association of Mental Health Providers, and Dr Rhidian Hughes, Chief Executive of VODG, said: “We welcome the investment in raising awareness of digital and cyber-security across the adult social care sector and this this fresh focus on providers that support people of working age, including people with a learning disability and those that experience mental ill health.
“We look forward to working closely with together to find solutions that will support providers to address their data any cyber security challenges and digital and tech capacity across the system.”
The project is part of a wider programme supporting the delivery of the National Cyber Security Strategy across adult social care services. The programme, which is led by Digital Social Care, the Local Government Association and the newly created NHSX, works to develop practical solutions to the data and cyber security challenges faced by adult social care providers in England.