DIAG project: improving Adult Social Care content demo

This demo shows how existing council website content can be improved.

It is part of the Digital Information, Advice and Guidance (DIAG) project in Adult Social Care, which aims to make information:

  • user‑centred – clear, easy to find, and easy to understand
  • easy to use independently – for people of different abilities, situations, and technology
  • accessible – meeting GOV.UK accessibility standards and public sector accessibility regulations

This work is designed and tested to support people with cognitive, reading, and learning difficulties, screen reader and keyboard users, and mobile users, while improving usability for everyone.

The DIAG team works with service leads to ensure accuracy, then with digital content specialists to improve readability, navigation, and user journeys.

All improvements follow GOV.UK accessibility and usability standards.

About this demo

This demo includes six redesigned pages, each applying GOV.UK content standards, focusing on:

  • clear structure and headings
  • plain language
  • improved user journeys
  • accessibility and inclusive design

View the Before page to see the original content, the After page to see the redesign, and the notes explaining what changed and why.

Demo pages

1. Paying for care and support (information page)

Source content notes (before)

  • Unclear content order
  • Limited, non‑descriptive headings
  • Complex terms not explained, for example as “self-funder” and “Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease” 
  • Long paragraphs hard to follow
  • Heavy reliance on video for important information
  • Scattered links to calculators and factsheets

Revised content notes (after)

  • Clear content order (eligibility, assessment, contributions, self‑funding, guidance)
  • Descriptive headings
  • Plain‑English explanations of complex terms
  • Step‑by‑step presentation of assessment options
  • Key information in text, with videos as support
  • Links placed next to relevant content

2. Financial advice and support (information page)

Source content notes (before)

  • Formal, wordy language

Revised content notes (after)

  • Clear sections (when to get advice, where to get advice, extra support)
  • Clear distinction between council and independent advisers
  • Advocacy support easy to find
  • Simpler, more direct language

3. Direct payments support area (multi-topic information page)

Source content notes(before)

  • Guidance hidden in accordions
  • Inconsistent headings
  • Outdated or duplicate documents
  • Instructions spread across sections
  • Poor grouping of links

Revised content notes (after)

  • All content visible on one page with in‑page navigation
  • Clear, descriptive headings
  • Step‑by‑step guidance
  • Clear contact details and processes
  • Logically grouped forms and guidance
  • Outdated content removed

4. Paying for a care home (information page)

Notes

Source content notes (before)

  • Dense paragraphs mixing multiple topics
  • Limited, hard‑to‑scan headings
  • Complex rules buried in text
  • Self‑funder information unclear
  • Hard‑to‑find links and factsheets

Revised content notes (after)

  • Information grouped under clear headings
  • Topics separated (costs, self‑funding, property, council support)
  • Step‑by‑step explanations
  • Clear self‑funder guidance
  • Links placed next to relevant content

5. Return your unused Direct Payment money (transaction start page)

Notes

Source content notes (before)

  • Unclear audience
  • Main action separated from context
  • No guidance for users who need help

Revised content notes (after)

  • Clear eligibility
  • Required information listed
  • Main action clear and prominent
  • Guidance for users who need support or alternatives

6. Care contribution calculator (transaction start page)

Source content notes (before)

  • Rules and instructions mixed in long paragraphs
  • Eligibility unclear
  • Minimal headings
  • Key actions hard to find

Revised content notes (after)

  • Clear sections, including eligibility and what you need
  • Bullet points for key information
  • Consistent, descriptive headings
  • Clear language supporting low digital confidence and assistive technology

Last reviewed: 17 April 2026