Adult social care data is now available in the MSE Shared Care Record, helping healthcare professionals make better informed decisions. This guide outlines the type of information available, how it appears in the record, and how it could be used to support care.
The information is drawn from three local authorities using two different systems:
- Essex County Council – Mosaic system
- Southend City Council and Thurrock Council – LiquidLogic system
There are some differences in the datasets available from each, and not all fields will be fully populated. The information provided is high-level and is intended to complement, not replace, communication with adult social care teams. Where detail is limited, contact details for relevant professionals may be available in the record.
Throughout this guide, we group the information according to how it appears in the Shared Care record, such as Alerts & Hazards, Events & Appointments, and Professional Contacts.
Alerts & Hazards
What you’ll see:
- Essex County Council: Alerts may include safeguarding concerns or enquiries. Each entry shows the alert type and whether it is active. Further detail may be limited.
- Southend and Thurrock councils: Alerts are split into two categories:
- Risks (e.g., physical/environmental hazards)
- Special factors (e.g., access challenges, sensory impairments)
How it helps: Use alerts to identify any critical factors that may affect care delivery or safety. These can inform decision-making, particularly in urgent care settings or when visiting someone at home.
For example, a community nurse spots an active safeguarding alert and contacts the listed professional to coordinate a risk-managed visit.
Events & Appointments
What you’ll see:
- Essex County Council: Displays completed adult social care assessments from the past 12 months. Includes type, start/end dates, and outcome (if recorded).
- Southend City Council: Covers a wider range, including assessments, safeguarding, hospital admissions, and DoLS (Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards) from the past 3 years.
How it helps: Shows key activity in the person’s care history. Helps you identify involvement with social care, particularly anything that may trigger escalation or follow-up in your own care delivery.
For example, a GP reviewing a discharge summary sees a recent adult social care assessment and uses this to explore care planning options with the relevant team.
Support Reason
What you’ll see:
- Information about the person’s primary and secondary support needs (e.g., learning disability, mental health, sensory impairment), including classification and start date.
How it helps: Gives a high-level view of the person’s care needs, informing clinical decisions, referrals, or conversations about appropriate support.
For example, a hospital therapist sees that a patient is known to adult social care for a long-standing physical disability and tailors discharge planning accordingly.
Personal Contacts
What you’ll see:
- Essex County Council: Name and relationship of next of kin.
- Southend and Thurrock councils: Broader list including next of kin, advocates, and emergency contacts.
How it helps: Quick access to people involved in the individual’s care and decision-making.
For example, a ward nurse identifies an emergency contact through the Shared Care Record when a patient lacks capacity and no details are immediately available in clinical notes.
Professional contacts
What you’ll see:
- Essex County Council: Allocated social worker, including team name and contact number (if available)
- Southend and Thurrock councils: Practitioners involved in the person’s care, with team and contact details.
How it helps: Supports direct communication between teams to coordinate or verify care.
For example, a safeguarding lead needs to confirm home care arrangements and contacts the social worker listed in the professional contacts card.
Provisions (care services)
What you’ll see:
- Southend and Thurrock councils: Current council-commissioned services, such as home care or supported living. Shows provider name and status (active or completed).
- Essex County Council: To follow at a later date
How it helps: Helps you understand what formal support is already in place and avoid duplication.
For example, a discharge coordinator sees an existing home care service and checks capacity for increased support post-discharge.
Referrals (Southend and Thurrock councils only)
What you’ll see:
- Details of current or previous referrals, including service name, referral date, and status.
How it helps: Provides insight into previous or pending social care involvement.
For example, a GP reviewing a care plan sees that a referral to community mental health services was completed and follows up with the team to align support.
Disabilities affecting care (Southend and Thurrock councils only)
What you’ll see:
- Declared disabilities that may impact care, including type and date recorded.
How it helps: Adds important context when planning care, particularly around communication needs, access, or equipment.
For example, a physio reviewing a patient’s record ahead of a home visit sees a recorded visual impairment and brings appropriate materials.
Care and support plan (Southend and Thurrock councils only)
What you’ll see:
- Indicates whether a care or support plan is in place and if it is active. Start and review dates may be visible.
Note: Interim and respite care plans are not yet included for Southend City Council due to technical limitations.
How it helps: Confirms formal planning activity and provides insight into the scope and timing of support.
For example, a GP referring a patient for frailty support checks if a social care plan is already active and contacts the practitioner listed for alignment.