AI IN LOCAL COUNCILS

💡How Can Councils Embrace AI Without Compromising Trust, Ethics or Inclusion?​

The LGA and LOTI’s new guide on Responsible Buying of AI is a must-read for anyone working in local government digital transformation.​

Agilisys, with 25 years of experience supporting councils across the UK, has published a thoughtful response. It highlights practical ways to implement AI responsibly — from framing the right procurement questions to involving frontline teams and treating DPIAs as design tools, not paperwork.​

🗣 Ethan, Pippa and Ross from the Agilisys team share what responsible AI really looks like in practice.​

📖 Read their full response here.

SOCIAL CARE FUNDING

Social Care Funding Crisis Threatens Effectiveness Of Local Government Services

Chronic underfunding and mounting responsibilities have left local councils in an untenable position, particularly regarding adult social care and children’s services. While central government retains control over the core Welfare framework—such as Universal Credit and the NHS—councils are left shouldering obligations for services that are both essential and financially burdensome. This growing strain means that, under current trends, councils risk diverting all resources simply to maintain social care, to the detriment of every other local service.

Attempts to frame adult social care as separate from broader welfare issues mask the underlying crisis in local government funding. The wide democratic deficit in local politics reflects how disconnected policy rhetoric is from practical realities faced by communities. Without immediate and fundamental reform, councils may soon find themselves unable to sustain anything beyond the bare minimum of statutory care. Immediate political will and comprehensive restructuring are necessary to avert potentially catastrophic failures in Britain’s local service provision.

HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGY

Addressing Four Critical Roadblocks to Responsible AI Adoption in Healthcare

AI adoption in healthcare is often slowed by four common challenges:

1. Limited AI Literacy – Many healthcare professionals lack a clear understanding of AI’s capabilities. Investing in education and training across teams helps build confidence and usage.

2. Data Readiness Gaps – Siloed systems and inconsistent data quality can undermine AI performance. Clean, standardized, and interoperable data is essential for success.

3. Change Management Hurdles – Resistance to new technology, unclear ROI, and workflow disruption can stall adoption. Involving end users early and aligning AI tools with current workflows helps ease the transition.

4. Ethical and Regulatory Risks – Concerns around privacy, bias, and compliance are valid. Establishing strong governance and ethical AI frameworks ensures trust and transparency.

To move forward, healthcare organizations must combine the right tools with readiness across people, process, and data.

EDITOR’S INSIGHT💭

Personalised Health MOTs: Beyond the Buzzword for UK Adult Social Care

Personalised health MOTs are being hailed as a breakthrough for the UK’s ageing population, but the real value lies in how they can reshape the very foundations of adult social care. While traditional NHS health checks have served as a baseline, they often miss the nuances that make prevention truly effective. The integration of AI-driven assessments and genetic screening is not just about early detection—it’s about creating a dynamic, responsive system that adapts to the individual, not the average.

What’s often overlooked is the potential for these MOTs to fundamentally shift the relationship between health and social care. In Japan, the fusion of technology and routine assessments has led to measurable reductions in long-term care needs, not just healthcare costs. The UK’s pilot programmes are beginning to echo these results, with older adults showing higher engagement and satisfaction when their care feels personal and relevant.

For leaders in social care, the opportunity is to move beyond pilots and embed this approach at scale. This means investing not only in technology, but in workforce skills and robust data systems that can track outcomes across both health and social care. The real innovation is in the integration—using personalised insights to inform commissioning, resource allocation, and partnership with the NHS. The future of adult social care will belong to those who see personalised health MOTs not as a product, but as a catalyst for system-wide transformation.

PUBLIC SECTOR FINANCE

Reliance On Agency Social Care Staff Poses Significant Financial Risk To Council

Heavy reliance on agency staff within St Helens Council’s social care sector has emerged as a significant financial threat, primarily due to the elevated costs of these temporary workers compared to permanent employees. This dependency not only leads to consistent budgetary overspends but also undermines the council’s ability to plan long-term, especially as recruitment and retention of qualified staff remain persistent nationwide challenges. Ongoing turnover of agency personnel also drives up recruitment and induction expenses, compounding the strain on council resources.

SOCIAL CARE FUNDING

Stoke-on-Trent Allocates £7m Extra Funding For Rising Adult Social Care Costs

SOCIAL CARE LEADERSHIP

Pendine Park Celebrated As Model For Progressive Social Care Provision In Wales

SOCIAL CARE FUNDING

Care Homes Face Financial Strain as National Insurance Rises Increase Costs

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