The Access Group

Overview

Headquarters: Loughborough, United Kingdom
Categories: Supported Living and Home Care Management (Clinical and Non-Clinical Operations); Care and Nursing Home Management (Clinical and Non-Clinical Operations); Screening, Monitoring & Telecare
Core Product Suite: Access Health, Support & Care (integrated care management and compliance software)

Introduction

The Access Group is one of the UK’s largest providers of integrated digital solutions for the social care sector, offering a suite of care management, compliance, and workforce tools that span the entire ecosystem of care — from domiciliary and supported living services to residential and nursing homes.

With over 14,000 registered care locations using its platforms and more than 30 years of experience in the sector, The Access Group has become a trusted partner for providers seeking to digitise operations, improve compliance, and deliver person‑centred care.

Its mission is to “give providers the freedom to deliver connected care” by consolidating disparate systems into a single, cloud‑based ecosystem. This includes digital care planning, medication management, rostering, payroll, compliance, and telecare solutions.

User Feedback: Strengths and Weaknesses

Feedback for The Access Group comes from Trustpilot (4.6/5, 4,700+ reviews), G2 reviews (4.1/5, 350+ reviews), and sector case studies. Overall, sentiment is positive, though some caveats are noted.

Positive Feedback

• Comprehensive ecosystem
  Providers highlight the breadth of Access’s suite, covering everything from care planning and eMAR to rostering, payroll, and compliance.

• Single supplier advantage
  Managers value having one supplier and one support desk for multiple systems, reducing complexity and duplication.

• Ease of use
  Carers describe the mobile apps as intuitive, enabling real‑time care recording and reducing paperwork.

• Regulatory alignment
  Providers appreciate Access’s alignment with CQC and NHS DSCR standards, which simplifies inspections and evidencing compliance.

• Scalability
  Access is used by small independent homes and large multi‑site groups alike, with solutions that scale to organisational size.

• Customer support
  Many reviews highlight responsive account managers and support staff, with some naming individuals who went “above and beyond.”

• Efficiency gains
  Case studies report significant time savings in rostering, payroll preparation, and compliance reporting.

Negative Feedback and Caveats

• System complexity
  Some users note that the breadth of Access’s ecosystem can be overwhelming, requiring training to use effectively.

• Integration challenges
  While Access offers APIs, some providers report difficulties integrating with legacy systems or external platforms.

• Customer service variability
  While many reviews are positive, others cite delays in response or inconsistent communication.

• Cost considerations
  Smaller providers note that Access can be more expensive than simpler alternatives.

• Learning curve for advanced features
  Managers report that advanced analytics and configuration require additional training.

In summary, user sentiment is strongly positive around comprehensiveness, regulatory alignment, and efficiency, while challenges include complexity, integration, and cost.

Products and Capabilities

Access Care Management Suite

• Digital Care Planning

  • Person‑centred care plans

  • Real‑time care notes and observations

  • Risk assessments and outcome tracking

  • Mobile carer app with offline functionality

• Medication Management (eMAR)

  • Digital MAR charts with audit trails

  • Stock management and reconciliation

  • Integration with pharmacy systems

  • Alerts for missed or incorrect doses

• Rostering and Workforce Management

  • Access People Planner for domiciliary care

  • Drag‑and‑drop rota builder

  • GPS‑verified clock‑ins and visit monitoring

  • Payroll integration

• Finance and Payroll

  • Automated payroll linked to rosters

  • Invoicing and billing for multiple funding streams

  • Integration with finance systems

• Compliance and Governance

  • Audit trails and inspection‑ready reports

  • Safeguarding protocols and incident reporting

  • Policy management and governance tools

• Screening, Monitoring & Telecare

  • Real‑time visit monitoring (landline or mobile)

  • Outcomes‑based monitoring of care delivery

  • Alerts for missed visits or late arrivals

  • Integration with telecare devices

• Analytics and Reporting

  • Dashboards for managers and boards

  • KPI tracking and benchmarking

  • Exportable reports for governance and decision‑making

Interoperability and Standards

The Access Group is designed as a comprehensive, interoperable platform, with:

• NHS DSCR assurance: Recognised as an Assured Supplier

• GDPR compliance: Encryption, secure hosting, and audit trails

• ISO standards: Quality and information security certifications

• APIs: For integration with third‑party systems

• Cloud‑based access: Available on desktop, tablet, and mobile

Market Position

The Access Group operates primarily in the UK, serving:

• Residential care homes

• Nursing homes

• Supported living services

• Domiciliary care providers

• Local authorities and councils

• Multi‑site care groups

It differentiates itself through:

• Comprehensive coverage: Clinical, non‑clinical, compliance, and telecare in one ecosystem

• Scale: Over 14,000 care locations and 30+ years’ experience

• Single supplier advantage: One support desk for multiple systems

• Regulatory assurance: NHS DSCR accreditation and CQC alignment

• Innovation: Continuous updates and AI‑driven insights (Access Evo for Care)

Competitors include Nourish, Person Centred Software, Radar Healthcare, and QCS. Access positions itself as the enterprise‑grade, full‑ecosystem alternative, particularly attractive to providers seeking a single supplier for all care management needs.

Implementation and Support

The Access Group emphasises a structured onboarding process, with:

• Demos and consultations

• On‑site and online training

• Dedicated account managers

• Access to online support portals and resources

• Regular updates and webinars

Providers report smooth implementation, though some note challenges with customer service and integration.

Security and Data Protection

The Access Group prioritises data security, with:

• GDPR compliance

• ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certification

• Encryption and secure hosting

• Role‑based access controls

• Audit trails and accountability logs

• Regular backups and disaster recovery protocols

Conclusion

The Access Group is one of the UK’s most established providers of digital care management solutions, offering a comprehensive, cloud‑based ecosystem that unifies care planning, medication management, rostering, payroll, compliance, and telecare. Its strength lies in providing a single supplier, full‑ecosystem approach that reduces complexity and improves efficiency.

User feedback consistently highlights comprehensiveness, regulatory alignment, and efficiency, while challenges include complexity, integration, and cost.

For care providers seeking a trusted, enterprise‑grade platform with strong regulatory credentials and comprehensive functionality, The Access Group represents a credible and established option. Its emphasis on scale, interoperability, and innovation positions it as a key player in the UK care management software market.

References

1. The Access Group – Care Management Software Overview Access Group Official Site

2. Care England – Access Care Management Partner Overview Care England

3. Digital Marketplace – Access CM: Electronic Care Monitoring and Scheduling G‑Cloud Listing

4. Trustpilot – The Access Group Reviews Trustpilot

5. G2 – The Access Group Product Reviews G2