Social Care Reform 2025–26: What It Means for Providers and How JMS One Fits In

The UK government is injecting £3.7 billion+ into social care, with new digital standards, real-time data sharing, and compliance expectations on the rise. Providers must adapt fast.

Key Reforms:
£711M total for Disabled Facilities Grant, National care tech standards, Real-time access to health records, Major funding for recruitment & retention

JMS One: Built for This Moment
✅ Compliance Made Easy: Centralised records, instant audit readiness, 🧠 Smart Rota Planning: Match staff to medical needs, reduce risk, 📊 Cost Control: Real-time insights to cut agency spend & balance staffing, 🔗 Digital Integration: Seamless access to health data, no app-hopping

The UK government has announced a significant investment in social care reform for 2025–26. With billions of pounds committed and new digital standards on the way, the sector is preparing for some of the most impactful changes in recent years. For care providers, this means both opportunities and challenges, especially when it comes to funding, compliance, and technology adoption.

According to GOV.UK, the government is rolling out:

• £86 million top-up for the Disabled Facilities Grant, bringing total funding to £711 million here.
  

• Over £3.7 billion in additional social care funding, aimed at boosting recruitment, training, and retention.
  

• New national standards for care tech, giving providers clearer guidance on safe, effective tools.
  

• A digital healthcare data sharing platform, enabling care staff to access real-time medical records.
  
  

How JMS One Supports Providers Through Reform

With these reforms on the horizon, workforce platforms like JMS One will play a central role in helping providers adapt quickly and confidently. Here’s how we align with the government’s priorities:

1. Meeting new compliance and safety standards with confidence
   The introduction of national standards for care technology means providers will need systems that can demonstrate compliance. This is where JMS One’s compliance tools are already ahead. By centralising everything from staff training records to mandatory checks, providers can easily show regulators that they meet requirements, without digging through piles of paperwork.
   

2. Assigning staff based on the medical needs of the shift
   Care is not one size fits all. Some residents may need more complex medical support than others, and shifts need to reflect this. With JMS One’s rota planning, managers can assign staff to specific shifts while flagging their shifts. This ensures the right skills are always matched to the right shifts, reducing risk and giving families reassurance that their loved ones are cared for properly.
   

3. Unlocking real-time insights to manage costs and resources
   The government is investing heavily, but costs for providers remain high. JMS One’s rota system uses real-time insights to cut unnecessary agency spend, reduce unplanned absences and balance bank, permanent and agency staff. It helps providers make smarter staffing decisions instantly rather than waiting until the end of the week or month.
   

4. Preparing for the digital data sharing era
   With care staff set to gain real-time access to health records, having a workforce platform that already prioritises integration is vital. JMS One is designed to link with digital systems, meaning care teams can see what they need, when they need it, without switching between multiple apps or paper notes. This is not just a time saver; it directly impacts the quality and safety of care.
   

The Bottom Line

Billions in funding and new standards will shape the next era of social care. Providers that invest in smarter workforce management will be best placed to make the most of these reforms. JMS One has been built for, and by, people in the sector, helping providers stay compliant, cut costs, and improve care outcomes.