The challenge

Social Care Wales collects vast amounts of data, but the organisation needed a clearer strategy to harness its full potential.

Without a structured approach, opportunities to enhance decision-making, improve services, and drive innovation were being missed. The challenge was to assess how data was being used and provide actionable recommendations to maximise its value.

Why it’s important

Effective use of data in social care can lead to better resource allocation, improved service delivery, and enhanced outcomes for service users.

With increasing demand for social care services across Wales, optimising data practices could drive efficiency, improve decision-making, and ultimately enhance the quality of care provided to individuals and communities.

Our approach

Urban Foresight conducted a structured evaluation of Social Care Wales’ data usage, beginning with a comprehensive data audit to map existing datasets, their characteristics, and their applications. This was visually represented in a data map to highlight gaps and opportunities.

To build a deeper understanding, we:

• Conducted desk research on best practices from similar organisations.
• Engaged with key stakeholders through interviews and workshops to understand their challenges and needs.
• Structured our findings using a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Using this research, we developed a set of tailored recommendations, detailing the rationale, responsible parties, implementation steps, and timelines. To illustrate the potential impact, we provided user personas and case studies demonstrating how improved data use could enhance decision-making and service efficiency.

The outcome

Our recommendations provided Social Care Wales with a clear roadmap to improve its data management and utilisation. By implementing these insights, the organisation has the opportunity to enhance its internal processes, make data-driven decisions, and ultimately improve the quality of social care services across Wales.

How Urban Foresight can help you

This project showcases our expertise in analysing, visualising, and translating complex health and social care data into practical, actionable recommendations. Our ability to combine technical insight with strategic thinking ensures that organisations can unlock the full potential of their data to drive meaningful change.