July 2nd 2025
We’re delighted to announce that, as of 30 June deadline, just over 76% of care providers across England have the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) in place – a fantastic achievement that shows real commitment to data protection across the adult social care sector.
In total, 21,780 providers are now DSPT-compliant, including 12,598 care homes and 9,182 non-care home services such as homecare, supported living, and extra care housing.
We want to say a huge congratulations to all care providers who completed the toolkit, and a sincere thank you to our Local Support Organisations, whose support and encouragement helped thousands of services reach this milestone.
Care sector making great progress on data protection
This year’s figures show strong progress across the sector:
- 86% of care homes in England are now DSPT-compliant.
- 65% of non-care home services – including home care and supported living – are also DSPT-compliant.
These numbers reflect the growing awareness and commitment across the sector to keep people’s confidential information safe and to build trust in how data is used and shared. Providers who complete the DSPT are not only meeting legal and contractual requirements but are also improving their cyber resilience and readiness for greater integration with NHS systems.
Didn’t meet the deadline? Please keep going!
If you’ve started your DSPT but didn’t manage to complete it by 30 June – don’t worry. The most important thing is to keep going.
Having a current and up-to-date DSPT is more important than hitting a single deadline. Completing the toolkit helps you strengthen your policies, train your staff, improve security, and prepare to share information safely with health and care partners. It’s never too late to start – or to finish.
The real work starts now: putting it into practice
Publishing the DSPT is a major step, but it’s just the start. The next phase is about embedding good data protection into daily practice – making sure that the policies, procedures, and improvements identified during the DSPT process are followed through and kept up to date.
That includes:
- Making sure staff complete annual data security training (e.g. by completing our free elearning)
- Following internal processes for handling personal information
- Keeping cyber security protections in place
- Regularly reviewing and updating your policies
- Acting quickly and correctly when a data breach occurs.
Michelle Corrigan, Programme Director of Better Security, Better Care, summed it up:
“This is a fantastic achievement and everyone involved should be really proud. We know how stretched providers are, so seeing 76% of care providers with a DSPT in place is a huge win for the sector.
“As we move towards greater digitisation and data sharing across health and care, it is absolutely vital that providers understand how to keep information safe. Completing the DSPT is a major step in the right direction.
“But compliance is just the start – now it’s about making it real. We are here to support providers with implementing good data security practices day to day, and to make sure that the DSPT isn’t just a tick-box, but a foundation for safe, person-centred digital care.”
Local support has made the difference
This year’s success owes much to the work of our Local Support Organisations, who have provided thousands of hours of practical support – including workshops, one-to-one sessions, phone advice, and hands-on help.
Many providers have told us they wouldn’t have completed the DSPT without this local support, which made the process more accessible, especially for small, independent services and those new to digital working.
We’re here to help with next steps
Now that many providers are compliant, we’re focusing on helping you put the DSPT into practice.
The Digital Care Hub offers free resources including guidance, templates, case studies, and e-learning. The Better Security, Better Care programme continues to work with Local Support Organisations to provide tailored support, especially for providers who are still working towards compliance or need help with implementation.
Visit: www.digitacarehub.org.uk/dspt
Once again – congratulations to all who completed the DSPT, and encouragement to those still working on it. Whether you’ve published or are still on the journey, we’re here to help you build safer, smarter, more connected care.
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