DIGITAL CARE HUB C.I.C.

What DIGITAL CARE HUB C.I.C. does

Digital Care Hub C.I.C. is a UK Community Interest Company founded in 2023 and headquartered in Bromborough, Wirral, with 11-50 employees. It operates as the designated national support programme for adult social care providers in England on technology, data protection, and cyber security, funded by NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Science Innovation and Technology, and Innovate UK. All of its services, tools, and training are provided free of charge to care providers, including guidance on the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT), template policies, eLearning courses, the Cyber Game, a Digital Health Check consultancy, and a Data Policy Builder tool launched in October 2025.

The organisation's product portfolio is built on a standard WordPress-based web platform hosted on dedicated servers in London, with MailChimp for email, Freshdesk for helpdesk, and Google Analytics for web analytics. Its flagship products are the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) support programme, the Data Policy Builder (an interactive scenario-based tool that generates branded policies and action plans), SCORM-compliant eLearning courses, and the Cyber Game — the first cyber-security training game specifically created for adult social care staff. Distribution is hybrid: a self-serve website, fortnightly newsletter, Ctrl+Care podcast, webinars, and a network of 28 Local Support Organisations (care provider trade associations) across England. Strategically, the organisation is co-convening the AI in Care Alliance with Casson Consulting and the Oxford Institute for Ethics in AI, and jointly developed an ethical framework for AI in social care built on seven principles and the FAIR human rights framework.

Commercial mechanics are atypical: Digital Care Hub is a non-profit with no user fees, no subscription tiers, and no disclosed revenue. Its income is structured as programme-based grant funding from UK central government departments and arms-length bodies, supplemented by research collaborations with institutions such as the Institute of Public Care at Oxford Brookes University. The organisation is governed as a C.I.C. — a UK social enterprise structure — and operates independently from the National Care Association despite sharing a registered office and a co-data-controller relationship. Customer concentration is therefore on the funding side: a small number of UK government departments sustain the entire operating model, while the end-user base is the c.18,000-strong adult social care provider market in England, segmented into care homes, homecare, supported living, and day services.

Name

DIGITAL CARE HUB C.I.C.

Legal name

Digital Care Hub C.I.C.

Website

https://digitalcarehub.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Digital Care Hub C.I.C. is a UK non-profit that provides free guidance, tools, and training on technology, data protection, and cyber security to adult social care providers in England, funded by NHS England and central government departments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Social Care Data Protection and Cyber Security Compliance Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Technology Assistance & Digital Support for Seniors (HSABAAAH)

Keywords

• Data protection compliance
• Cyber security training
• Social care support
• DSPT guidance
• Data policy builder

Headquarters

HQ city

Bromborough, Wirral

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Digital Care Hub is a Community Interest Company (C.I.C.) that operates primarily on government funding. The Better Security, Better Care programme is funded by NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care. The Cyber Resilient Care programme was funded by the Department for Science Innovation and Technology and Innovate UK's Cyber Local Fund.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Digital Care Hub provides free guidance, tools, and training on technology, data protection, and cyber security to adult social care providers across England. Its core deliverables include the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) national support programme, the Data Policy Builder tool, SCORM-compliant eLearning courses, an interactive Cyber Game, template policies, and Digital Health Check consultancy services. The organisation is funded by government grants and delivers support through its own website and a network of 28 local partner organisations.

Product overview

Digital Care Hub C.I.C. is a community interest company providing advice, support, and resources to the adult social care sector on technology, data protection, and cyber security. The core product is the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) guidance and support programme, supplemented by the Data Policy Builder tool for creating tailored policies. Their portfolio includes elearning courses, the Cyber Game (interactive training simulation), in-person training materials, and assessment tools for DSPT compliance. They also operate the Better Security, Better Care national support programme with 28 local partners, the AI in Care Alliance, and the Oxford Project on responsible generative AI use. Additional offerings include the Digital Health Check consultancy service, template policies, the Ctrl-Care Podcast, and funding opportunity resources. The organization does not operate as a traditional product company but provides a platform of resources, tools, and support programmes focused on helping care providers meet data security and cyber security requirements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) Support National support programme helping adult social care providers in England complete the official DSPT self-assessment, covering policies, procedures, data security, and IT systems. Required for NHS contract compliance.
• Data Policy Builder Free interactive tool that guides adult social care providers through familiar scenarios to help them understand what their data policy should cover, highlights risks, suggests ways to reduce risk, assigns responsibilities, and outputs a branded policy with an action plan.
• Data Security and Protection eLearning Courses Free eLearning courses on data security and protection for adult social care providers, enabling care organisations to meet training requirements within the DSPT. Includes courses for staff and leads, with online assessments and certificates.
• Cyber Game Interactive cyber security training game specifically created for adult social care staff. Players choose characters and make decisions in simulated cyber attack scenarios, receiving scores based on impact on security, time, and cost.
• Data Security and Protection In-Person Training Materials Free face-to-face training materials for in-house trainers covering four modules: data protection rights, keeping data secure, threats to data security, and data breaches. Includes session plans, PowerPoint slides, handouts, and assessments.
• Digital Health Check Free consultancy service for adult social care providers offering practical, judgment-free support to evaluate data protection and cyber security arrangements in practice, including confidential reports with recommendations.
• Manager's Discussion Tool and Assessment Tool Resources to help managers assess frontline staff competency in data security and protection for DSPT compliance. Includes discussion guides, multiple-choice quizzes requiring 80% pass mark, and four knowledge sections.
• Template Policies and Resources Comprehensive range of free downloadable template policies for DSPT compliance including data protection, privacy notices, data quality, record keeping, data security, network security, BYOD, business continuity, and third-party contracts.
• Better Security, Better Care Programme National and local support programme helping adult social care providers complete the DSPT. Includes online guidance, national helpline, and direct support from 28 local support partners across England.
• Cyber Resilient Care Programme Support programme for small care providers on cyber security, funded by Department for Science Innovation and Technology and Innovate UK's Cyber Local Fund.
• AI in Care Alliance Collaboration focused on co-production and the future of AI in social care, co-convened by Digital Care Hub, Casson Consulting, and Oxford Institute for Ethics in AI.
• Oxford Project: Responsible Use of Generative AI in Social Care Research initiative developing ethical framework and guiding principles for responsible AI use in social care, incorporating FAIR human rights framework for ethical decision-making.
• Funding Opportunities Portal Information portal connecting adult social care providers with funding opportunities for technology development, implementation, and system adoption.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• National Care AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital Care Hub works in partnership with the National Care Association (Company number 02537672). They are co-data controllers and share responsibility for data processing under their privacy policy. National Care Association is a care sector trade association representing care providers.
• Local Support Organisations (28 partners)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of 28 local support organisations across England - primarily care provider trade associations - that deliver free webinars, workshops, and one-to-one training and support on data security and the DSPT.
• Oxford Institute for Ethics in Artificial IntelligencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJointly developed the ethical framework for AI in social care with seven core principles (Truth, Transparency, Equity, Trust, Accessibility, Humanity, Responsiveness). The framework incorporates the FAIR human rights framework for ethical decision-making.
• Casson ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDaniel Casson from Casson Consulting is a co-convenor of the AI in Care Alliance, working with Digital Care Hub and Oxford Institute for Ethics in AI on responsible AI use in social care.
• Institute of Public Care (IPC) at Oxford Brookes UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with the Better Security, Better Care programme to research data security and protection training needs of SME care providers, review existing training resources, develop skills assessments, and explore the Caldicott Guardian role in the sector.
• ADASS (Association for Directors of Adult Social Services)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with ADASS regional teams to survey local authorities on how contracted adult social care providers follow good data and cyber security practices. Exploring how local authorities can strengthen care providers' data protection through their role as commissioners.
• Think Local Act Personal (TLAP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTLAP supports the National Co-production Advisory Group (NCAG) which collaborates on events like the co-production webinar series on digital care and AI.
• Social Care Institute of Excellence (SCIE)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCIE participates as a speaker in co-production events on digital care, contributing expertise on person-centred approaches to digital transformation in social care.
• Care Workers CharitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresentatives from Care Workers Charity participate in co-production events on digital care, bringing the perspective of frontline care workers to discussions on AI and digital transformation.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Birdie: Birdie is a digital care management platform for home care providers, including care logs, rostering, and medication features. Not a direct competitor, but a peer in the broader ecosystem of technology and data-driven services sold into adult social care providers in England.
• Person Centred Software: Person Centred Software provides electronic care planning and medication management software to care homes and home care providers in the UK. Comparable as a tech vendor serving the same care provider customer base, although it operates a paid SaaS model rather than a free support programme.

Direct peers

• National Care Forum: National Care Forum is a membership body for not-for-profit adult social care providers in the UK, offering guidance, networks, and policy advocacy. Comparable to Digital Care Hub as a sector support infrastructure organisation, though it operates as a provider association rather than a programme delivery body.
• Skills for Care: Skills for Care is the UK workforce development and training body for adult social care, offering free resources, elearning, and workforce data tools to care providers. It is highly comparable to Digital Care Hub in mission structure (non-profit support organisation, government-aligned, free-to-provider services), differing mainly by focusing on workforce and skills rather than data protection and cyber security.

Broad incumbents

• Care Quality Commission (CQC): The CQC regulates all registered adult social care providers in England and increasingly references data and digital standards in its assessment framework. Comparable as the regulatory stakeholder whose requirements drive demand for Digital Care Hub's services and with whom Digital Care Hub now co-presents webinars.
• NHS England Digital Transformation Team: NHS England funds and oversees the DSPT programme that Digital Care Hub supports, and operates adjacent digital transformation initiatives for the wider NHS. It is the principal stakeholder and incumbent authority in the same problem space, although it focuses on NHS providers and commissioning rather than directly serving social care providers.
• Information Commissioner's Office (ICO): The ICO regulates data protection under UK GDPR and is the enforcement authority whose compliance obligations Digital Care Hub helps care providers meet. Adjacent rather than competing, but deeply intertwined with Digital Care Hub's mission and a regular topic in the organisation's content and webinars.
• National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC): NCSC is the UK's national authority on cyber security, producing sector guidance, training, and incident response support. Comparable as a publicly funded source of cyber security guidance and resources, though its remit spans the entire UK economy rather than being tailored to social care providers.
• NICE - National Institute for Health and Care Excellence: NICE produces evidence-based guidance, standards, and quality indicators adopted across health and social care. Comparable as a publicly funded national body producing guidance and standards that adult social care providers are expected to follow, sitting in adjacent rather than overlapping operational territory.

Regional players

• Care Information Scotland / Care Inspectorate (Scotland): The Care Inspectorate regulates and supports care providers in Scotland under a separate framework. Comparable as the devolved-nation counterpart to the CQC/DSPT regime that Digital Care Hub supports, representing a potential adjacent market that Digital Care Hub currently does not serve.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/digital-care-hub

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DIGITAL CARE HUB C.I.C.