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Data maturity

‘Data maturity’ refers to the readiness of an organisation to make best use of the data it holds. 

Our aim is to support social care providers in Wales to understand how they can make best use of the data that’s collected, processed and shared as part of their delivery of social care. 

Understanding how data mature your organisation is allows you to know where to focus your resources to make the best use of the data you collect. 

Becoming better at using the data we collect ultimately improves services. It does this by giving you the information you need to make more informed, evidence-based decisions. 

Being better with data also leads to an improved work environment for your staff as they become more confident and empowered to use the information you have in their day-to-day activities. 

It isn’t about collecting new data, but making better use of the data we already collect. 

Assessing the data maturity of social care in Wales

In 2024, we commissioned a company called Alma Economics to carry out an independent data maturity assessment of all local authorities in Wales. 

A data maturity assessment is a structured way to help staff understand their data maturity. 

The local authorities completed a questionnaire about different aspects of their social care data functions. Each authority then received a summary report which provided advice on the steps it could take to improve its own data maturity. 

Alma Economics also used the assessments from all 22 local authorities to produce a national report which gives an overview of the social care data landscape in Wales. The local authorities remained anonymous in this report. 

The questionnaire also explored the sector’s readiness to integrate social care data with healthcare data through the National Data Resource (NDR), which would mean being compatible with the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standards. 

FHIR standards are an internationally recognised way of describing healthcare data and have been selected by the four UK nations as the standard of choice. 

You can find out more about the assessment and its findings, and read the full report, in the resources area of the Insight Collective.

What does a data mature organisation look like? 

The data maturity assessment gave us an overview of what a data mature organisation could look like. These characteristics were split into six areas:

Resourcing skills and capabilities - click to expand
  • Your team includes embedded data specialists, such as data analysts, scientists, and governance officials, supporting robust data management and insightful analysis.  
  • You offer regular training on data skills and practices to ensure all social care staff are empowered to use and manage data effectively, including being aware of risks.  
  • Your organisation collaborates with data experts (through things such as networking and conferences), making sure data skills and practices keep pace with new developments. 
Digital records and data quality - click to expand
  • There’s a focus on collecting structured and standardised data, where possible, in relation to service user information, care journeys, outcomes, and workforce records. 
  • You prioritise high data quality, focusing on accuracy, completeness, consistency, and timeliness through regular assessments and robust quality assurance processes.  
  • You use metrics, tools and automation to maintain high standards. You use dedicated data analysts to support these high standards and overall look for initiatives to systematically improve the quality of the data you process. 
Systems and processes - click to expand
  • Your organisation implements systems and practices which provide social care professionals and data teams with streamlined access to comprehensive service user insights, enabling informed decisions and efficient service delivery.  
  • Alignment of data systems and formats across different organisations (such as other local authorities, health) facilitates seamless sharing of data.  
  • Robust security measures, comprehensive disaster recovery strategies, and scalable system performance ensure data integrity, data protection, and system reliability robust to varying demands.  
  • Comprehensive training programmes and structured feedback processes empower staff to input high-quality and consistent data into the system. 
Uses of data - click to expand
  • Strategic use of social care data for capacity planning, and case allocation, aligning services with community needs.  
  • Continuous monitoring and analysis of social care data to improve service effectiveness, support targeted interventions, and assess programme impacts.  
  • Predictive analytics and scenario planning for adaptability and future demand forecasting, enabling strategic service adjustments and readiness for demographic shifts or unforeseen events.  
  • New use cases for data are regularly explored and acted upon. 
Data sharing - click to expand
  • The organisation actively engages in data sharing with other organisations, with governance protocols and a collaboration culture encouraging secure exchanges with external stakeholders.  
  • Emphasis on standardised data and interoperable systems to enhance compatibility and efficiency of data sharing across organisations.  
  • Strategic investment in technology and skills to leverage data sharing for innovation, decision-making, and policy development, benefiting the broader social care sector.  
  • Proactive identification and addressing of data sharing challenges, such as legal complexities or reputational risks, ensuring cohesive data governance. 
Leadership, strategy and culture - click to expand
  • Data recognised as a high priority, with leadership embedding a comprehensive data strategy across the organisation to guide operations and decision-making. 
  • Recognition of the need for continued investment in data infrastructure and skills. 
  • Organisational culture that values data, encourages innovation around data practices, and extends data skills beyond specialists, empowering all staff. 
  • Active pursuit of data-related collaborations and innovation, fostering partnerships with data experts (including academics and industry) to enhance social care data and support transformative projects. 

Find out more

Email us at data@socialcare.wales if you'd like to know more about our data maturity work.