The Adult Social Care Technology Fund, more widely known as Integrated Care System (ICS) funding, continues to accelerate the digital transformation of social care in England. Although the goal remains for 80% of care providers to go digital, time is running out to secure funding for this year.
Care providers still using paper records should act quickly to apply for limited government funding and start their digital transformation. This vital funding opportunity is only available for a short time, so now is the perfect moment to switch from paperwork to digital care records.
Digital care management software is already improving the quality of adult social care across the country. However, according to recent research, 46% of care providers are still using paper records.
This guide will give you everything you need to know about how to apply for ICS funding, what you can spend it on, and why now is the best time to act.
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What is ICS funding for social care and what can I spend it on?
ICS funding – also known as the Adult Social Care Technology Fund – supports the digitisation of social care in England. It can be spent on a range of digital care solutions proven to increase care quality, safety and efficiency (including safe discharge from hospital), reduce avoidable hospital admissions, or increase support for people to live independently in their own home.
This could include:
- Care management software, like PASS, to create Digital Social Care Records (DSCR)
- Infrastructure and devices to improve access to high-speed internet connectivity
- Fall prevention technologies that reduce the frequencies and severity of hospital admissions.
By March 2024, the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) aims to provide funding to at least 80% of CQC-registered providers to support them to adopt digital care management solutions.
Funding is also available to providers seeking to implement alternative types of digital care technology, such as digital care reporting and staff scheduling solutions.
Do you need support in putting together your ICS funding bid? Our team are here to help you secure funding for digital social care software. Click here to book a meeting.
Am I eligible for the Adult Social Care Technology Fund?
To apply, care providers must be CQC-registered and still using paper records. Many ICSs now also require providers to meet or be working towards DSPT standards met or exceeded. If you meet these requirements, now is the time to transition to digital care.
You can find the exact requirements by visiting your local ICS’s help page.
How much funding is available?
The Digitising Social Care Fund continues to support care providers in adopting digital technologies. While £25 million was allocated for 2022/23, funding is still available for the current year. The exact funding depends on the provider’s size and their local ICS. It typically covers start-up costs, including training, implementation, and the first year’s licence fees for digital care management solutions like PASS.
You can find more information by visiting your local ICS’s help page.
When can I apply for funding?
The clock is ticking! If you’re still using paper records, now is the time to switch to digital. Funding is currently available, but applications need to be submitted soon. Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) across England are urging care providers to act quickly, as funding is limited and this opportunity may not return until the next financial year.
Contact your local ICS to submit an expression of interest and take advantage of the Digital Social Care Record (DSCR) funding before it’s too late.
How do I apply for ICS funding?
CQC-registered providers can apply for funding through their local ICS. Most ICSs offer grant funding via an online portal, and you will need to submit an Expression of Interest to get started. Be sure to secure a quote from an approved supplier and ensure your application is submitted before deadlines close.
We’ve provided helpful links to each ICS below, where you can find more information on the applicable grant funding process.
What are the benefits of digital care?
Digital care management software gives care providers the tools they need to significantly improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of care they provide. Here’s why you should go digital:
Deliver high quality and safe care: By going digital, you can easily create, modify and update care plans in real time to meet the unique needs of individuals, ensuring accurate, personalised and effective care for every user.
Improve efficiency and save time by freeing up your people: Digital care management software enables care providers to automate administrative tasks, giving carers more time to focus on what they do best – provide great quality care.
Put people and their families at the centre of care: Managers and families can monitor care in real time, ensuring accountable and transparent delivery of care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Find your local ICS
Humber and North Yorkshire ICS: dreamsteam@eastriding.gov.uk
South Yorkshire ICS: Joanne.Butler24@nhs.net
West Yorkshire ICS: Contact your relevant local authority representative:
- Bradford District and Craven: HWB.Digital.Innovation@bradford.gov.uk
- Calderdale: Ruth.Cluer@calderdale.gov.uk
- Kirklees: chris.porter@kirklees.gov.uk
- Leeds: DSCR@leeds.gov.uk
- Wakefield: aagbara@wakefield.gov.uk
North East & North Cumbria ICS | england.dscrney@nhs.net
Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria ICS: healthierlsc.digitalregcare@nhs.net
Greater Manchester ICS: dscr@healthinnovationmanchester.com
Cheshire & Merseyside ICS: Contact your relevant local authority representative:
- Cheshire East: stephen.clews@cheshireeast.gov.uk
- Cheshire West & Chester: rebecca.cooke@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
- Halton: damian.nola@halton.gov.uk
- Knowsley: fiona.o’reilly@knowsley.gov.uk
- Liverpool: ian.mcconville1@liverpool.go.vuk
- Sefton: diane.clayton@sefton.gov.uk
- St Helens: juliewestlake@sthelens.gov.uk
- Warrington: achadwick@warrington.gov.uk
- Wirral: michaelhanrahan@wirral.gov.uk
Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland ICS: Lpt.lhisDSCRadmin@nhs.net
Black Country ICS: bcicb.digitalsocialcare@nhs.net
Birmingham and Solihull ICS: enquiries@wmca.digita
Herefordshire & Worcestershire ICS: hwicb.carehomedigital@nhs.net
Joined Up Care Derbyshire: melissa.deighton@nhs.net
Lincolnshire ICS: alistairsoons@linca.org.uk
Nottingham & Nottinghamshire ICS: nnicb-nn.digitalsocialcare@nhs.net
Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin ICS: STW-DSCR@telford.gov.uk
Staffordshire & Stoke on Trent ICS: DigitalFundingEnquiries@Staffordshire.gov.uk
Northamptonshire Health and Care Partnership: commissioningteam@northnorthants.gov.uk
Coventry & Warwickshire ICS: digitaltransformationfundenquiries@coventry.gov.uk
Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICS: blmkicb.digital.socialcare@nhs.net
Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System: dscr@essex.gov.uk
Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System: nwicb.digitalsocialcare@nhs.net
Hertfordshire & West Essex ICS: dscr@hcpa.co.uk
South West London Integrated Care System: paul.harper@swlondon.nhs.uk
North Central London ICS: nclicb.digitaladultsocialcare@nhs.net
South East London ICS: Contact your relevant local authority:
- Bexley: Santhosh.Sanga@selondonics.nhs.uk
- Bromley: Mohammad.Zahir@selondonics.nhs.uk
- Greenwich: sola.akinyede@selondonics.nhs.uk
- Lambeth: Joseph.Nyame@selondonics.nhs.uk
- Lewisham: Kevin.Justin@selondonics.nhs.uk
- Southwark: Shantel.Sarpong@selondonics.nhs.uk
Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire & Berkshire West Integrated Care System: jeanniebrown@nhs.net
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Integrated Care System: hiowicb-hsi.hiowdigitalsocialcare@nhs.net
Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care System: syheartlandsicb.shicb-digitalsocialcare@nhs.net
Sussex, Our Care Connected, Sussex Health and Care Partnership Integrated Care System: esht.ourcareconnected@nhs.net
Kent and Medway ICS:
or contact:
- Kent County Council: innovationdeliveryteam@kent.gov.uk
- Medway Council: adults.commissioning@medway.gov.uk
Suffolk and North East Essex ICS: georgina.trimble@nhs.net
Devon Integrated Care System: sian.bunce@nhs.net
Dorset Integrated Care System: Eligibility criteria, guidelines and funding deadlines
Gloucestershire Integrated Care System: glicb.glosdt@nhs.net
Somerset ICS: digitisationinsocialcare@somerset.gov.uk
Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire ICS: digital.carehomes@onecare.org.uk
Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire ICS: paul.dlh@wiltshirecarepartnership.org.uk
Cornwall ICS: contractsadults@cornwall.gov.uk
How do I create a successful grant funding application?
Applying for ICS funding requires careful planning and preparation. Start by thoroughly understanding the eligibility criteria, funding priorities, and application deadlines specified by your local ICS.
Develop a robust proposal that clearly outlines your project’s objectives, anticipated outcomes, and how it aligns with the ICS’s goals. Consider the potential impact of your project, provide a detailed budget, and demonstrate a sustainable plan for implementation and evaluation.
Collaborating with partners, such as technology providers or community organisations, can strengthen your application. Submit your application within the specified timeframe, ensuring all required documentation is included.
If you choose to go with PASS, our team will be happy to support you in building a credible, evidence-backed proposal to enable your success.
Get PASS with ICS funding.
Book a free demo today to discuss ICS funding and see how our care management solution can improve the care your provide.
Frequently asked questions
The time taken to review and assess ICS funding applications varies depending on the local ICS and the volume of applications received. It is advisable to check with your local ICS regarding the expected timelines for application processing and decision-making.
ICS funding is typically awarded to organisations and care providers rather than individuals. However, individuals can contribute to project proposals through partnerships with care providers or by sharing their perspectives and insights regarding the use of technology in adult social care.
ICS funding supports a broad range of projects that aim to improve adult social care services through the use of technology. Examples include implementing digital care management systems, developing telehealth solutions, enhancing data sharing and interoperability, and promoting innovation in care delivery models.
ICS funding is primarily funded by the UK government’s Department of Health and Social Care. Additional funding may be secured through collaborations with other public or private sector partners to support specific initiatives or projects.
