DSCR funding: How to get funding for Digital Care Planning from your local ICS

The NHS Transformation Directorate has created a pool of £25 million that is available to Integrated Care Systems (ICSs). The funds are earmarked to help support any CQC registered social care provider embrace technology, particularly:

• The introduction of digital social care records (DSCR) also called digital care plans.
• Sensor-based falls prevention
• Testing other promising care technologies

The ICSs are divided into regions and might not all provide funding for the same technologies. However, all ICSs provide funding for the adaptation of digital social care records.

The exact amount is different depending on your local ICS. Some offer to cover the full implementation and others up to a certain amount. Follow the links above to get a complete picture of how much funding your organisation might be eligible for.

There are comprehensive instructions on the ICS websites, but you need to have a clear idea of how big of an investment is needed. That means getting an exact quote from your DSCR supplier. Be sure to include other costs such as procurement of devices, WIFI, and implementation.

To help you choose amongst the suppliers of digital care planning, NHS England has published an assured supplier list. A list we are proud to be on.

All suppliers listed here offer core features for social care and comply with national standards. Which helps secure ICS funding.

You can find the list of suppliers here: List of approved suppliers

The deadline for funding applications has been extended. The exact deadline can vary based on your local ICS. However, if you’re still interested in applying for funding it should be on your Q1 agenda.

To apply for funding, you need to fulfil certain criteria and forward documentation to your local ICS. Again, these might differ so it’s difficult to make blanket statements. But as a guideline here are the criteria to meet for funding:

• Implementing an assured software solution
• Have implemented an assured software solution from 01/04/2022. Grants cannot be made available for purchases or implementations before this date.
• Have not received any previous grant funding from any other ICS’s
• Must have a DSPT Standards met accreditation
• Must be fully CQC registered and hold a valid NHS ODS code

If your service meets these criteria, you’ll need to supply documentation for the funding. Documentation such as:

For organisations that are implementing a new software solution (Not replacing an old system):

• Copy of your supplier quotation
• Copy of your planned go-live date
• Completed grant application form

For organisations that have already gone live since 01/04/2022:

• Copy of your signed supplier contract
• Copy of a supplier invoice
• Completed grant application form