The future care technology workforce
› Technology & Digital Innovation › Care Technology
The future of care will be people-focused and enabled by technology. We worked with Glasgow School of Art to design 3 new roles in care.
In 2017/18 we worked with Glasgow School of Art to explore the future of care at home. Their School of Innovation and Technology helped us imagine new roles and opportunities.
The roles of care technologist, care connector and care navigator  were designed during this work.
Care technologists get to know people and use technology to help them live well. Care connectors use technology to build relationships and link people to the community around them.
Where are we now?
We now have care technologist and care connector roles in Scotland.
In early 2025 a care connector started with North Ayrshire Learning Disability Service and the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities. They will enable a place-based model for digital inclusion and widen access to community assets.
A care technologist is also working with social housing providers to help them understand technology options. Technology has helped tenants access social tariffs and financial inclusion.
We are exploring, with research partners, how to enable the care navigator role as an AI model.
Who have we been working with?
We tested the care technologist role in Glasgow, East Ayrshire and Aberdeen from 2022 to 2023.
Results included improved independent living, flexibility in support and better knowledge of technology.
One service saw a 40% increase in interest in technology over the trial period.
In Glasgow, Baillieston Community Care invested in technology for a new respite home. They are supporting staff professional development in technology.
In East Ayrshire, HRM Homecare updated their digital care plans. They are sharing learnings and increasing staff development in technology.
In Aberdeen, Specialist Resource Solutions were early adopters of the role. This test of change was a great example of a successful commissioning model.
Social return on invesment
A partnership with HACT, the charity for the social housing sector, showed a 1:4 social return on investment. A return as high as 1:8 was found to be possible.
Our work with social housing tenants has helped us engage with people before they have an assessed social care need, to support preventative outcomes.
We have also worked with over 20 care homes to trial the care technologist role. We shared our learnings with health and social care partnerships, care services and educational services.
