As we move through the first quarter of 2026, a fresh national picture has emerged that highlights both the progress already made and the clear next steps available to every care provider. The Department of Health and Social Care’s 2025 Adult Social Care Provider Technology Survey, published on 6 March 2026, shows that 27 % of CQC-registered adult social care providers are still not using any form of technology to deliver care and support. At the same time, new leadership research from PA Consulting and the TEC Services Association (released 25 March 2026) reveals that 78 % of senior leaders want to accelerate their Technology Enabled Care (TEC) programmes this year, with 97 % agreeing that TEC is a vital way to respond to rising demand and complexity.
This is not a story of delay. It is a moment of genuine opportunity. Providers who understand exactly where the current barriers sit — and who turn those insights into practical, team-friendly action — are already positioning themselves to deliver better outcomes for residents, reduce pressure on staff, and strengthen their overall resilience.
The Real Picture Behind the Numbers
The DHSC survey of 1,085 providers gives us an accurate, up-to-date view. While 73 % are already using at least one form of care technology, the 27 % who are not yet doing so (rising to 40 % among micro-providers) point to very specific, solvable challenges:
- Setup and licensing costs remain the most frequently cited barriers (73 % and 70 %, respectively).
- Staff training costs and high turnover sit at 52 %.
- Cyber and data security concerns are noted by 41 %.
- Good internet connectivity is still an issue for 40 %.
- Lack of digital skills among staff and residents is flagged by 39 % each.
Yet the leadership appetite is unmistakable. The PA Consulting/TSA TEC Outlook Survey shows a strong desire for faster rollout to drive prevention, independence and reduced hospital admissions — exactly the outcomes that commissioners and families value most. The gap between ambition and current reality is therefore not a lack of will; it is the practical roadblocks around workforce confidence, data integration and connectivity follow-through post the analogue switch.
What This Means for Your Organisation in 2026
For most providers, these findings translate into three immediate, positive realities:
- A clear window to differentiate — organisations that move from 0 % to even modest TEC use this year can demonstrate measurable improvements in resident wellbeing, staff efficiency and commissioner relationships.
- Workforce and data as the new competitive edge — the barriers that matter most right now (skills and data use) are the ones you can influence fastest through targeted, low-cost actions.
- Stronger negotiating position — showing a credible TEC roadmap in 2026/27 fee discussions signals forward thinking and long-term value, something local authorities increasingly reward.
The good news is that the infrastructure conversation we covered in our recent telecoms and telecare features has already laid the groundwork. Connectivity is improving, and the post-PSTN environment is now more stable than ever. The remaining barriers are internal and organisational — which means they are within your control.
Your Practical Playbook: Turning Insight into Faster, Positive Progress
Here is the exact framework that leading providers are using right now to move from awareness to adoption — without adding pressure to already busy teams:
1. Start with a Quick, Honest Readiness Check (One Hour, Not One Project). Use the free DHSC-style self-assessment questions or the TSA’s simple TEC Maturity Tool (available via member networks). Focus on three areas only: current connectivity status, one priority use-case (e.g. remote monitoring or digital care planning), and a quick staff confidence survey. Share the results in your next team meeting — it builds buy-in rather than resistance.
2. Turn Workforce Skills into a Strength, Not a Barrier Link any available 2026–27 training funding (as we highlighted on 24 March) directly to TEC. Offer short, bite-size “TEC Champion” sessions (30 minutes, twice a week) rather than full-day training. Providers who have done this report 20–30 % higher staff engagement because the learning feels relevant and immediately useful. Pair it with peer mentoring so experienced staff become the teachers — this reduces turnover and builds culture.
3. Make Data Your Friend (Not Another Report) Address the 77 % of leaders who cite data integration as the top blocker by starting small. Choose one existing system (e.g. your current alarm or sensor platform) and connect it to your core care-management record. Many suppliers now offer “no-code” integration modules that take days, not months. Once staff see real-time insights (e.g. early alerts preventing falls), confidence soars and the business case writes itself.
4. Tackle Cost and Cyber Head-On with Available Support. Apply for the renewed £21 million Better Security, Better Care programme (still open and under-used) for free cyber health checks and data-protection guidance. Present any cost savings or risk reduction directly to commissioners as evidence of prudent management — many are now actively looking for providers who can show this level of governance.
5. Frame the Conversation with Commissioners as Shared Success Lead your next meeting with: “We are accelerating TEC to deliver the prevention and independence outcomes you have asked for — here is our 90-day plan and the support we need to make it happen.” Providers using this language consistently report higher engagement and, in several cases, ring-fenced funding for pilot projects.
Looking Ahead: TEC Is Becoming the New Standard of Excellent Care
The 27 % figure is not a criticism — it is a benchmark that shows exactly where the sector stands today and how much room there is for positive, achievable progress. Providers who treat the current barriers as solvable design challenges are the ones who will stand out in 2026: better outcomes for residents, more confident teams, and stronger partnerships with commissioners.
Care Circle Network will keep bringing you the latest tools, case studies and expert connections to make this transition straightforward. If you would like a ready-to-adapt TEC readiness checklist, an introduction to providers already running successful “TEC Champion” programmes, or a simple template to discuss funding support with your local authority, simply reply to this feature or use our contact form.
The direction of travel is clear and exciting. The providers who act now with insight, practical steps and a focus on people-first outcomes will not only close the 27 % gap — they will set the new standard for quality care across the country.
We’re here to help you lead the way.
