March 19th 2026
Insights from our recent Digital Care in Focus webinars on difficult conversations.
We recently hosted two webinars on Difficult conversations, bringing together people from across adult social care to explore how technology is being used in practice, and the questions it raises.
The sessions looked at two closely linked issues. The first focused on privacy and the use of home sensors. The second explored choice and consent, and how decisions about technology are made in real situations.
If you were not able to join us, recordings are now available to watch back.
People’s right to privacy vs home sensors
The first session focused on home sensors and monitoring technologies, and how they are experienced by people drawing on care, families and staff.
Katie Thorn, Director of Innovation at the Digital Care Hub, introduced the discussion by emphasising the importance of personalisation:
“What’s right for one person may not be right for another person, we can’t have a one-size-fits-all approach.”
Speakers explored how privacy is understood in practice. For some people, technology can feel less intrusive than regular in-person checks, particularly at night. For others, any form of monitoring raises concerns about dignity, control and being observed in their own home.
Rather than identifying a single “least intrusive” option, the discussion highlighted the need to understand each person’s preferences, experiences and circumstances. What works well for one person may not be acceptable for another.
Trust was also a key part of the conversation. Families may use technology to gain reassurance about care, particularly when they are not present. At the same time, care workers may feel that monitoring changes how their work is viewed or assessed. These different perspectives need to be worked through together, with clear communication and shared expectations.
Choice, consent and the role of technology in care
The second session focused on consent, and how it works in practice when technology is introduced into someone’s life.
Mark de Bernhardt-Lane from the Local Government Association reflected that choice is only meaningful if someone can say no without losing access to care. This links to the principle of consent, not duress, which came through strongly in the discussion. People should not feel pressured into using technology because of limited alternatives or wider system pressures.
Speakers also highlighted that consent is not always straightforward. People may not fully understand the technology in their homes, and their views may change over time. In some situations, decisions involve families, care staff and professionals, particularly where someone is not able to give explicit consent.
For these reasons, consent needs to be revisited regularly. It is something that develops through ongoing conversation, rather than something that can be settled at a single point in time.
The session also explored the role technology can play in supporting independence. It can reduce the need for more restrictive approaches, such as frequent checks, and help people remain in their own homes. At the same time, there were concerns about technology being used to replace human care rather than support it.
As Mark highlighted, there is a risk of creating a data rich environment that lacks human connection. This underlines the importance of using technology in ways that support relationships, not just efficiency.
Catch up and join the next conversation
If you missed the webinars, you can catch up with the recordings.
You can also join us for the final webinar in the series on 31 March: Robots vs Carers: are we really replacing in person care workers with tech?
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