More adult social care providers are now using Digital Social Care Records (DSCRs). Government estimates suggest 83.6% of provider locations had one in place by June 2026, up from 79.3% a year earlier.
That’s significant progress, but putting a system in place is where the work starts, not where it ends. The value comes from how well it’s used to support staff, keep records accurate and deliver good care.
In September 2026, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) published guidance on what it means to be a “fully digitised” care provider: using an assured DSCR and meeting the “standards met” level of the Data Security and Protection Toolkit. It’s worth reading and checking where your organisation stands. This article looks at the question that comes next: once you have a system, how do you make sure it’s working for your team and the people you support?
What does “getting the full benefit” look like?
The gap between having a system and benefiting from it is often easy to spot. Common signs include:
- Staff keeping paper notes alongside the system “just in case”
- The same information being entered in more than one place
- Care plan reviews falling overdue without anyone noticing
- Managers asking for updates rather than being able to see them
- Useful features going unused because staff were never shown them
If any of these sound familiar, the technology may be in place but not yet doing its job.
Why does this matter for CQC inspections?
Good records support safe, effective care whether they’re digital or paper based. What matters at inspection is whether your records let you deliver, and demonstrate, safe and effective care. Records that are incomplete, hard to find or out of date make that harder. A well-used system makes it easier to show how needs have changed, how plans have been reviewed and how quality is monitored.
What should providers be doing now?
Whether you’ve already introduced digital records or are still weighing your options, these questions are worth asking:
- Can your team find what they need? How easily can staff reach current care plans, assessments and relevant information during their day-to-day work?
- Are your records accurate and up to date? Review how consistently information is recorded, updated and shared across your organisation.
- Do your records show how you respond to change? Check how you record changes in needs, review care plans and monitor quality and how quickly you could evidence this if asked.
- Are your staff confident? Systems only work when people know how to record, access and manage information correctly. Training and ongoing support matter.
- Is the system reducing admin, or adding to it? Consider whether it’s improving communication and giving managers what they need to oversee care.
Where does Certa fit in?
Good record-keeping is about more than inspection readiness. It’s about giving staff the right information to deliver safe, person-centred care every day.
Certa brings care records, assessments, care plans and other key information together in one care management platform, so teams can find and manage information more easily.
Our AI Client Summary draws on information already held in a client’s record, assessments, care plan and medication details to produce a concise overview of their needs, so users don’t have to search through multiple sections. Staff remain responsible for reviewing the information, applying professional judgement and making decisions about care.
Technology can’t replace professional judgement or good governance. Used well, it can cut unnecessary administration and give care teams more time with the people they support.
The next step for adult social care
The move to digital care records is well under way. The next step is making sure they’re working: staff confident, records current and managers able to see what they need.
If you already use digital records, it’s worth reviewing how well they’re serving your team. If you’re still making the transition, choose technology that fits how your organisation works.
Digital care records should make day-to-day work easier, not add to it. Find out how Certa can help your care organisation.
