Theme 7: Digital learning, development and wellbeing

1. Understand where to find digital training opportunities to advance my learning and self-development.

I know where to find digital learning and training opportunities and can search for opportunities that are relevant to me and my personal development goals.

Digital learning and training opportunities can include:

• any adult social care learning resources or training hosted online/on a digital platform
• learning and training specifically related to digital skills

 

Digital skills training database E-learning for healthcare (this includes online resources for the Care Certificate) Health Education England's Learning Hub

2. Participate in and benefit from digital learning opportunities, and share opportunities with others

I can participate in digital learning opportunities (e.g. complete eLearning courses and contribute to online forums) to build my skills. This includes being able to create an online training account, log in and successfully complete online courses.

Being able to:
 

• Support colleagues to access online learning to improve their skills (e.g. by recommending and promoting courses you personally found helpful), and
• Help people you care for to access online courses/learning opportunities in line with their interests, preferences and goals (e.g. to improve their own digital skills)

How to succeed with online learning – FutureLearn Support someone else – Good Things Foundation

3. Use technology to review and keep a record of my personal learning and development goals

I can use technology to assess and reflect on my learning needs to help me find relevant training opportunities by using online self-assessment tools, such as

• Digital skills assessment tool
• Care Certificate standards self assessment tool
  
  I can also use technology to keep a record of my learning activities to support my personal and professional development (this may be particularly important if you are required to demonstrate continuing professional development (CPD) activities for your role, or for future career progression).

4. Understand that using technology can impact on my health and wellbeing and the wellbeing of others, and know how to manage this.

I understand that certain behaviours online can impact negatively on my own and others’ health and wellbeing and I take steps to ensure my digital interactions are appropriate and respectful to others. I also know where to look for online support to boost my own health and wellbeing.

About digital wellbeing Digital wellbeing hub for health and social care Wellbeing resources – Skills for Care

5. Build a positive digital learning environment and provide opportunities for staff to build digital confidence and develop their skills

I know how to develop a plan for digital skills training in my organisation and can implement appropriate digital learning solutions to upskill and develop staff. I ensure staff have sufficient time and support to access and benefit from digital learning opportunities; this includes providing appropriate support for staff who feel less confident using technology.

I ensure training and support opportunities are offered in a way that is flexible, promotes equitable access and considers the needs and preferences of staff (for example, regarding when, how and where they access learning opportunities).
 

Guidance published to help health and social care providers use eLearning Implementing online learning – success story

6. Help colleagues to reflect on and self-assess their digital skills and encourage a culture of continuous learning and development.

Supporting the development of staff skills is a requirement of the CQC’s key questions and quality statements. Care providers should have processes in place whereby staff learning needs are assessed, and staff are supported to develop their skills in order to provide a quality service. Digital skills should always be included as part of this.

The process of inducting staff and reviewing learning needs during appraisals should include an assessment of digital skills to help staff identify areas for development and choose the right training opportunities for their needs. This framework can help with these conversations.

Staff should be encouraged to explore the full range of digital learning opportunities on offer, and should be supported to access ongoing development opportunities wherever possible, in line with their preferences and personal development goals.

7. Use technology to monitor my own development, and (if applicable) the development of those I manage/supervise

Technology can be used to keep an accurate record of staff training activities, whether this be held in a spreadsheet or in a downloadable report from an online training platform. Being able to quickly view, update and download staff training records will help you ensure staff are up-to-date with mandatory training requirements, and will help you with reporting and providing evidence of training to regulators or other organisations.

Guidance published to help health and social care providers use eLearning

8. Develop peer-to-peer digital learning opportunities to improve skills across my organisation.

Learning from peers is one of the most common ways people develop their digital skills. There is support available to help you develop peer-to-peer learning opportunities and encourage people who show an interest in technology to support and upskill others – developing themselves as ‘digital champions’ in the process.

Opportunities for learning from other organisations (as well as people) should be explored to help with business development. Engaging with others via digital forums or online communities will help you learn from other organisations’ experiences and share best practice in relation to digital ways of working.

Digital champions in adult social care – NHS England Skills for Care social care managers Facebook group

9. Support colleagues to be mindful of, and effectively manage their digital wellbeing.

Within my organisation, I promote a culture of respectful digital interaction and take action if I become aware of inappropriate practices.
I understand the importance of, and ensure that staff are fully supported to manage their digital wellbeing. This includes promoting open, non-judgemental conversations about technology and digital learning among staff, and offering support and reassurance to those who may feel anxious using technology.

In line with the CQC’s key questions and quality statements, I seek out and promote digital wellbeing support within my organisation to help promote staff health and wellbeing.