March 13th 2026
A new national survey of adult social care providers shows significant progress in the adoption of digital systems, while also highlighting continuing challenges around costs, infrastructure and digital skills.
The Adult Social Care Provider Technology Survey 2025, published by the Department of Health and Social Care, provides a detailed snapshot of how technology is currently being used across the sector.
The findings show that digital tools are now widely used by care providers, particularly for managing services and records. At the same time, the report highlights uneven adoption across organisations and continuing barriers that may limit the potential benefits of technology in care.
Technology adoption across the sector
The survey found that 73% of providers reported using at least one care technology, while 27% said they were not using any care technologies to deliver care and support.
Adoption levels varied significantly depending on provider size. Smaller providers were less likely to report using care technologies than larger organisations. This suggests that factors such as financial capacity, infrastructure and workforce capability may influence the ability of organisations to adopt digital tools.
Monitoring technologies remain the most widely used
Among technologies used directly to support care delivery, monitoring equipment with sensors was the most widely used, reported by 43% of providers.
Other commonly used technologies included:
- Personal alarms (35%)
- Video conferencing tools (34%)
- Health and wellbeing apps (25%)
These technologies are typically used to support safety, communication and independence. Examples include falls monitoring, communication with family members or professionals, and tools designed to support wellbeing.
The findings suggest that technology adoption in adult social care continues to focus primarily on practical tools that support day to day care and risk management.
Digital systems widely used to support care management
Technology used for managing services and information was even more widespread.
The survey found that 77% of providers reported using digital social care records (DSCRs). Digital records are a central part of the government’s Digitising Social Care programme, which aims to support wider digital transformation across the sector.
Other commonly used business management technologies included:
- Digital rostering systems (63%)
- Electronic medicines administration records, known as eMAR (53%)
- Video conferencing tools (53%)
- Financial accounting software (52%)
- Human resources management systems (51%)
Only 6% of providers reported using none of these business management technologies.
Costs remain the biggest barrier
Despite increasing adoption, providers reported that financial pressures remain the biggest barrier to introducing new technologies.
The most commonly cited barriers included:
- Set-up costs (73%)
- Ongoing licence costs (70%)
- Staff training costs and workforce turnover (52%)
- Costs related to cyber and data security (41%)
Providers also identified other challenges including internet connectivity, workforce digital skills and reluctance to adopt new technologies.
Connectivity and infrastructure challenges
Infrastructure was also identified as an ongoing issue in some settings.
Among residential providers, 70% reported having adequate connectivity across their buildings, while 14% said they did not and 10% were unsure.
Reliable connectivity is essential for many digital tools used in care, particularly systems that rely on internet access or cloud based platforms.
Reflecting on progress
Reflecting on the survey findings, Katie Thorn, Director of Innovation at Digital Care Hub, noted that the report highlights both progress and continuing challenges for the sector.
View all News“Three things stand out when looking at this survey alongside earlier research from 2021. First, we have seen real progress in the adoption of digital social care records, which represents a significant shift in a relatively short period of time. Second, the technologies used most widely are still practical tools that support safety, communication and independence. And third, many of the underlying challenges remain familiar, particularly around digital skills, infrastructure and supporting smaller providers to adopt technology.”