May 1st 2025
If you run an adult social care service in England, it’s time to get ready for the 30 June 2025 deadline to update your Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT).
The DSPT isn’t just a box-ticking exercise. It’s an essential, annual self-assessment that shows you’re taking data protection and cyber security seriously – and that you’re following good practice to keep people’s confidential information safe.
Whether you’re completing the DSPT for the first time or republishing it for another year, you don’t have to do it alone. The Better Security, Better Care programme is here to help with free support, guidance, training and one-to-one help.
Why you must update your DSPT every year
Even if you completed the DSPT last year, it needs to be reviewed and republished at least once a year because things change. You may have introduced new IT systems, changed services or recruited new staff. That affects how you are managing data and therefore what you include in your DSPT. If you don’t update your entry, you can’t rely on the DSPT as evidence of your compliance – and that could affect your contracts and your credibility.
Not updating your DSPT could also have a knock-on effect when you’re inspected. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) looks at how you manage data and digital security, and the DSPT is referenced as evidence that your policies, systems and training are in place.
On the other hand, keeping your DSPT up to date helps you:
- Show that you comply with data protection law
- Give confidence to people who use your services, their families and your staff
- Access NHSmail and shared care records
- Meet requirements for NHS and local authority contracts
- Strengthen your protection against cyber threats
New to the DSPT? There’s still time
If you’ve never completed the DSPT before, don’t worry – there’s still time to get started and publish by the deadline.
We have developed a simple checklist of what you need to have in place before you begin, so you can prepare with confidence. And the Better Security, Better Care programme is here to support you with every step.
We know the toolkit can feel daunting at first – but once you get going, you’ll see it’s very achievable. Thousands of care providers just like you have successfully completed it with our support.
Care groups and CQC Market Oversight Scheme
If you are a care group with multiple sites, you may be able to complete just one DSPT for all branches if they have the same data and cyber security policies and procedures. You just need to make sure you select the applicable sites in your DSPT assessment and inform your staff. You can find further guidance here.
If you are in CQC’s Market Oversight scheme, we have a dedicated team to support you. Contact us at [email protected]
Free support to help you succeed
The Better Security, Better Care programme offers a wide range of free support – no matter where you are in your DSPT journey:
Free webinars and training
Join one of our friendly online sessions or watch a recording in your own time. As well as our standard session on completing the DSPT for the first time, or reviewing and republishing, we also have in-depth sessions on some of the more specialist areas such as managing your information asset register, and testing your business continuity plan.
Find out more about our national webinars
Local one-to-one support
You can also get free, personalised support from local organisations across the country. They can guide you through the process and help you gather the evidence you need.
Find your local support organisation
Staff training tools
You’ll need to show that at least 95% of your staff have completed annual data security awareness training. We offer:
- A free e-learning course with certificates
- Specialist elearning for data protection leads
- Manager’s discussion guides and a simple questionnaire to test staff knowledge
All these tools are designed to help you meet DSPT requirements quickly and easily.
Don’t leave it too late
The 30 June 2025 deadline might seem a way off, but it’s best to start early. The sooner you begin, the more time you’ll have to get everything in place – and the less stressful it will be.
By completing or updating your DSPT every year, you’re not just ticking a box – you’re protecting the people you care for, your staff, and your organisation. And with free help from Better Security, Better Care, there’s no reason to put it off.
Start today – we’re here to support you all the way.
Find out about our DSPT support.
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash
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