Social Care Innovation Programme

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Social Care Innovation Programme

• IRAS ID

  300435

• Contact name

  David Barrett

• Contact email

  d.i.barrett@hull.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Hull

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 8 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  This research will explore how smart technologies can support adult social care providers, such as care homes, home care providers and day centres, to address their needs and challenges.

  Through a grant scheme for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in social care, administered by East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC), providers will be able to apply for funding to purchase technologies to meet self-defined needs. Seventy four sites will receive and introduce new technologies. The research will evaluate experiences and outcomes of implementing and using the technologies funded through the grant scheme.
  
  The following research questions will be addressed:
  * What types of technologies support the delivery of adult social care in SMEs?
  * What impacts do technologies have on the delivery of social care?
  * What is the employee experience of implementing new technologies?
  * What is the experience of care recipients, their families and friends of using
  technologies?
  * What are barriers to implementation of innovative care technologies in social care SMEs, and how can these be overcome?

  Data will be analysed to enable before and after comparisons across relevant metrics (which will depend on the specific technologies introduced, and the settings in which they are used). Qualitative data will be collected through interviews and focus groups with those using the technologies, including the SME lead for each service, staff, care recipients, their families and friends.
  
  Although there will be differences in the technologies purchased, the settings in which they are used, and the key groups which use them, it is anticipated that the study will generate generalisable findings about how technologies can benefit SME social care providers, and support care delivery.

  The study is funded by the European Regional Development Fund; the research element of SCIP will be carried out from October 2021 – June 2023.
  

• REC name

  Social Care REC

• REC reference

  21/IEC08/0035

• Date of REC Opinion

  19 Nov 2021

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion