December 22nd 2025
As 2025 comes to a close, it feels like a year where adult social care really moved into a more confident, and more demanding, digital phase. Digital is no longer the “new thing”. It is part of day-to-day care delivery, regulation and leadership conversations. What has changed most this year is not the technology itself, but the expectations around how it is used.
We have seen clear progress. Around 80% of adult social care providers are now using digital social care records, and 76% have the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) in place. Those numbers matter. They reflect a sector that has invested time, money and energy into getting the foundations right, often while under intense pressure.
At the same time, the conversation has matured. Providers are asking better questions: is this system genuinely supporting good care? Is it reducing burden for staff? Is it safe, ethical and trustworthy? And crucially, what are our responsibilities when things go wrong?
Better Security, Better Care: confidence, capacity and consistency
One of the highlights of 2025 has been the continued success of the Better Security, Better Care programme. Demand for practical cyber security and data protection support has continued to grow, with more providers engaging not just to meet requirements, but to build confidence and capability. A record 76% of care providers now have the Data Security and Protection Toolkit in place.
We were especially pleased to see confirmation of £21 million in funding through to March 2029. This long-term commitment enables us to plan and strengthen our support, working closely with our 32 Local Support Organisations across England. That local reach matters. Cyber security and data protection are most effective when guidance is practical, trusted and rooted in the realities of care delivery.
This stability also sends an important message: cyber resilience in social care is not a short-term project, but an ongoing responsibility.
Public awareness raises expectations
Cyber security became far more visible in 2025. High-profile data breaches and cyber attacks affecting organisations such as Jaguar Land Rover and Marks & Spencer have pushed these issues into public conversation. That wider awareness matters for social care.
People quite rightly expect their information to be treated with care, dignity and respect. When trust in data handling is shaken anywhere, it affects confidence everywhere. For care providers, this has reinforced the importance of leadership oversight, staff awareness and strong everyday practice. Cyber security is now clearly part of quality and safety, not just an IT concern.
Policy ambition and what “fully digitised” really means
This year also saw significant policy signals from the Department of Health and Social Care, including announcements about the ambition for “fully digitised” adult social care providers. We welcome that direction of travel.
At the Digital Care Hub, we have been clear that being fully digitised is not just about using digital tools. It means having strong foundations in place, including completion of the DSPT, clear data protection practices and confidence in how information is shared and safeguarded.
Alongside this, policy developments such as the Data Use and Access Bill point to growing focus on how data is accessed, shared and governed. For adult social care, this brings both opportunity and responsibility, particularly around transparency and public trust.
Ethical AI, partnerships and new conversations
Artificial intelligence has been another defining theme of 2025. AI is already being used in rostering, documentation support and data analysis, raising important questions about oversight, bias and accountability.
Over the coming year, we will continue working with the Oxford Institute for Ethics in AI, helping to translate complex ethical debates into practical guidance for the care sector. We will also continue our collaboration with Casson Consulting, supporting providers to navigate digital change in ways that are realistic, responsible and people-centred.
This year also saw the successful launch of our Ctrl + Care podcast, creating space for honest conversations about digital, data and cyber issues in social care. The response has shown a real appetite for accessible discussion, lived experience and shared learning.
Looking ahead to 2026
So what might next year bring? Greater focus on interoperability and reducing duplication. Continued cyber pressure, with leadership and culture playing an even bigger role. Wider use of AI, alongside stronger expectations around ethical practice and transparency. And ongoing debate about what good digital care really looks like in practice.
Our hope for 2026 is that digital continues to become more human, not less. That technology supports relationships, reduces burden and strengthens trust. And that adult social care continues to be recognised as a thoughtful, responsible leader in how data and technology are used.
Thank you to everyone who has worked with, learned from and challenged us this year. We look forward to continuing the journey together in 2026.
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