Autumna launches live scoring system for care homes

Autumna has launched a real-time scoring system that aims to improve the way people assess care services.

Called OpenScore, the digitally led initiative provides a live score out of 10, with care providers being able to communicate performance using multiple data points that are aggregated in real time.

It is the first time in the UK a live scoring system for social care has been introduced, with previous assessments relying mainly on the Care Quality Commission’s ratings of ‘inadequate’, ‘requires improvement, ‘good’ and ‘outstanding’, which can be years out of date.

Autumna, an older people’s care directory, has teamed up with care associations, financial institutions, academia, providers and government regulators to launch OpenScore. These include Care England, LaingBuisson, Care UK, Legal & General, Let’s Go Create, University of Kent, Virgin Money, Stephens Scown Solicitors, Person Centred Software and the Care Software Providers Association.

‘Not only is this intended to improve standards by giving more control to the care provider to improve their services proactively, but the tool will also address one of the biggest challenges facing the social care sector: trust and transparency for the public,’ said Debbie Harris, founder and managing director at Autumna.

The tool bases its assessment on multiple GDPR-compliant data points that are updated every 24 hours. These include regulatory ratings and audits, daily visitors’ reviews, infection prevention control measures, ESG updates, food hygiene ratings, and transparency of cost, among others.

It has been designed to give more control to the care provider, allowing them to improve their service based on live data and customer feedback.

OpenScore will allow care homes to differentiate between each other and ‘inadequate’ and ‘requires improvement’ care homes will not have to wait for a CQC inspection to showcase improvement.

Care England chief executive Professor Martin Green said: ‘OpenScore stands as a pivotal development for care providers, commissioners, and the public alike, promising to elevate care standards across the board. Particularly in light of the challenges faced with the CQC, the system aligns with our ongoing efforts to advocate for a balanced approach to inspections, ensuring that improvements are recognised and prioritised alongside the identification of risks.’

More than 90% of the decision-making process when choosing a care home takes place online. OpenScore will look to offer an ‘at a glance’ live assessment of any service to help self-funded care seekers make their choices.

Virgin Money’s head of health and social care, Derek Breingan, added: ‘As a major funder of the care sector Virgin Money is supporting the OpenScore project to further the importance of quality in care and the benefits of using technology for data capture.’

Officially launched today (7 May) for premium-listed services, OpenScore will eventually be rolled out across all care homes and homecare providers.