Knowledge bank

The 'pillars' papers outline a framework for embedding digital inclusion in health and social care. This is good background reading to establish a foundation for your work.

• From pillars to practice: developing a framework for embedding digital inclusion in health and social care (2023)
• Pillar 1: motivation (2024)
• Pillars 2 & 3: device and connectivity (2024)
• Pillar 4: skills and confidence (2025)
• Pillar 5: inclusive design (2026)

The Scottish Government’s Digital Inclusion Programme was launched in April 2023. It was delivered in partnership with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.

The Programme responded to a need to support access to and awareness of digital health and care services and initially focused on two specific areas:

• people using housing services and support
• people accessing mental health services and support.

The programme was independently evaluated by Blake Stevenson, and you can read their report here:

• 'Digital inclusion' programme evaluation by Blake Stevenson (2025)
• 'Digital inclusion' programme evaluation case studies by Blake Stevenson (2025)

The following resources are funding impact reports, sharing learning and insights from organisations delivering digital inclusion:

• Digital Pioneers Fund: Impact Report (2024)
• Digital Pioneers Progress Fund: Impact Report (2025)
• Connecting to Care: Impact Report (2025)

The following resources were created as part of this programme:

• Digital champion training co-design: mental health (Mhor Collective)
• Digital champion training co-design: housing (Mhor Collective)
• Digital inclusion stakeholder engagement summary: mental health (March 2023)
• Digital inclusion stakeholder engagement summary: housing (March 2023)
• Digital inclusion stakeholder engagement summary: mental health (November 2023)
• Digital inclusion stakeholder engagement summary: housing (November 2023)
• Embedding digital inclusion in health and social care: stakeholder engagement (November 2024)

In this section we have curated resources that will be of benefit to frontline health and social care practitioners:

• Digital inclusion in health and social care: practice guide

These resources have been produced for senior leaders across the health and social care system, including executive teams, directors, associate directors, heads of service and equivalent roles across NHS, Local Authorities, Health and Social Care Partnerships, Social Work, Social Care, Care and Support Providers, Housing, and Third, Voluntary and Independent sectors.

• Why leaders must act: insights on digital inclusion in health and social care for those driving change (2026)
• What practitioners need: lessons on digital inclusion from the frontline of health and social care (2026)

Across health and social care, digital inclusion is frequently funded through pilots, small grants, or time-limited projects. While these approaches can spark innovation and demonstrate impact, they also create instability. Services build trust with people, develop new approaches, and show positive outcomes, and then funding ends. Staff move on. Learning is lost. Relationships have to be rebuilt.

• How systems must change: exploring approaches to commissioning digital inclusion in health and social care (2026)