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How TAPPI Changed us - Wiltshire Council

Following completion of the second Phase of the TAPPI project, Wiltshire Council, one of the six TAPPI testbeds, tells us in this short Q&A how TAPPI influenced their work, the work of their staff and the everyday life of their residents.

Can you share any specific success stories or notable achievements from your experience with the TAPPI project? How have these outcomes improved the lives of your tenants, and the work of your staff?

We've revamped assessment and support plans to include Technology-Enabled Care (TEC) prompts for staff, emphasising training, effective signposting, and clear messaging.

Over 500 ASC staff have undergone TEC training, sparking interest and queries. Workshops, seminars, and roadshows are planned for next year.

TAPPI insights inform our TEC strategy, emphasising human touch alongside technology.

The pilot stresses the importance of seeing, trialling, and understanding TEC devices.

Cultural change towards a TEC-first approach is underway, initiated by TAPPI-driven TSA training, fostering understanding and discussion across teams and leadership levels in the ASC directorate.

Based on the learnings and outcomes of the TAPPI project, what recommendations or best practices would you suggest for future initiatives focused on technology enabled care in housing for older and vulnerable people?

Emphasising interoperability, connectivity, co-production, and staff/customer training, our insights extend to leveraging everyday SMART technology for older residents.

Voice-controlled lights, TV, and devices, along with alerts and reminders, offer multifaceted benefits.

Noteworthy in our testbed was the need for additional plugs and charging stations, particularly for residents with reduced mobility and health care needs.

TEC devices, exemplified by GPS tracker Oysta Pearl, significantly improved residents' confidence, independence, and community access, fostering a sense of security with the assurance of support when needed.

What has your experience of co-production with your residents been like throughout the project? And (how) do you intend to continue co-producing with them after the end of the project?

Experience of co-production has been limited although engagement and feedback has led to purchasing tablets and collaborating with AbiltyNet for digital training. The volunteer from AbilityNet ensures continuous assistance for residents.

Residents' increased participation and voting for Technology-Enabled Care (TEC) items in communal spaces, like the magic table with digital games, enhance engagement, particularly for those with dexterity and eyesight issues.

Future co-production involves empowering residents to support themselves and peers using the toolkit, shared with Housing 21. Disseminating TAPPI insights involves sharing the toolkit with the council, presenting at provider meetings, and involving customers in the TEC offer recommissioning in Wiltshire.

Looking towards the future, what plans or recommendations do you have for sustaining and expanding the adoption of the TAPPI principles beyond the project's conclusion? How do you envision scaling up the successful practices and innovations developed during the project?

The TAPPI pilot highlighted the need for enhanced processes and systems, leading to the redevelopment of assessment forms.

It prompted broader conversations on preventive TEC support and staff training via the TSA platform, impacting over 1k ASC staff.

Planned workshops, seminars, and roadshows for 2024, along with a tactile TEC display, aim to support staff and customers.

Website enhancements will focus on TEC information and signposting for customers.

Improved collaboration with housing colleagues, research into pathways, and the ongoing recommissioning of the TEC offer involve customer participation.

The pilot's impact also involves validating TEC benefits, with ongoing work on benefit realisation processes in both financial and well-being aspects.

The TAPPI pilot serves as a launchpad for Wiltshire's deeper understanding of TEC.

Lindsey Millen: Senior Commissioner, TEC Advisor. Wiltshire Council.

Throughout the second Phase of the TAPPI programme, the 6 testbeds have given us regular updates published in Q&As form: