Approximate time: 3 minutes
What are digital skills?
Digital skills are the skills you need to use electronic devices and digital services.
In adult social care, these skills may help you to:
- Check your work rota.
- Read work emails.
- Complete online training.
- Access electronic care plans.
- Record care that you have provided.
- Report information to your manager.
- Find approved information online.
- Communicate with colleagues.
Different care organisations use different systems, so you are not expected to know every piece of technology.
What matters is having the basic skills and confidence to use the systems provided by your employer.
A typical example
Amira works as a care assistant in a residential care home.
At the beginning of her shift, she uses a tablet to check important information about the people she will be supporting. During the shift, she records care using the home’s electronic care system. Later, she uses a computer to check an email from her manager.
Amira does not need advanced computer skills. However, she does need to know how to use the devices correctly and follow her employer’s procedures.
Remember: If you are unsure how to use a workplace system, ask for help. Do not guess when someone’s care information could be affected.