Evidence standards framework for digital care technologies

What is an evidence standards framework? 

An evidence standards framework (ESF) sets out a broad set of evidence considerations for a particular area. People who make decisions in health and care can use the framework to understand which technologies are likely to help people and support health and care services.

We have previously published an ESF for digital health technologies (DHT) and are now adapting this for the adult social care sector. 

In adult social care, examples of digital care technologies (DCT) may include technology such as care planning systems, falls or monitoring sensors, digital medication systems and workforce support tools.

As more care technologies emerge, a common set of standards can help decision-makers and developers understand:

• what evidence supports the use of a technology

• whether it is safe and effective

• whether it represents good value for the care system.

Why do we need an ESF adaptation for adult social care?

Adult social care uses digital technology in different ways from the health service. Adult social care focuses on helping people live well and DCT in adult social care may be used in people’s homes or in residential and nursing care homes. They may help people live more independently, improve quality of life or support the care workforce to provide care more efficiently.

The use of DCT in adult social care is growing. However, it is not always easy to choose or use them with confidence. Adult social care focuses on different outcomes from health. It looks at things like independence, choice, dignity control, and quality of life. It also uses a wider range of evidence, drawing on practice and experience as well as research.

One challenge is that there is not always clear evidence about which technologies really help people. Evidence is often collected in different ways, which makes technologies difficult to compare.

Because of this, decision makers need clearer and more consistent evidence standards for adult social care. The current ESF for DHT was designed for healthcare and does not fully reflect the realities of adult social care. An adapted ESF for DCT in adult social care can help address some of these challenges. Following feedback from the sector, there has been strong support for adapting the current ESF for DHT.

Who is the ESF for DCT for?

The ESF for DCT is for people who use evidence and people who produce evidence to make decisions about how technologies work in practice in adult social care settings.

It is for people who produce evidence, including:

• technology developers and suppliers

• researchers and evaluators

• care providers

• local authorities.

The ESF for DCT can help them understand what evidence to collect and how to show value in a clear and consistent way.

It is also for people who use evidence to make decisions, including:

• commissioners

• care providers.

The adapted ESF for DCT will help them understand what good evidence looks like, compare technologies consistently, and make evidence‑based decisions.

How will we adapt the ESF for DCT?

This adaptation builds on the strong foundation provided by the NICE ESF for digital health technologies.

To ensure the framework is practical, meaningful and rooted in the realities of adult social care, it will be designed with the adult social care sector. This includes people with lived experience, technology suppliers, care providers, academics and local authorities. An expert advisory group will support this work..

The aim is to make sure the ESF for DCT reflects real experiences of adult social care. This includes everyday care, how technology fits into services, and issues such as dignity, consent, data use and digital access.

The ESF for DCT is expected to be published in spring 2027.

What does this mean for the adult social care sector?

The adapted ESF will help bring a clearer and more consistent approach to generating and using evidence about DCT in adult social care. The ESF for DCT will explain what evidence is needed for digital technologies used in adult social care. It will not assess or approve individual products.

It will support organisations across the care sector to understand what good evidence looks like and to compare DCT more easily. This can help inform decisions about adopting, using or reviewing DCT in everyday care.

Where can I find out more?

If you work in adult social care, or have experience that could support this work and want to know how you can get involved, please contact us at:  ESFadultsocialcare@nice.org.uk.