THIS WEEK’S RADAR🎯

• AI in Action: Wigan Council shares GenAI lessons with Agilisys

• Digital Strategy: New blueprint helps councils make the case for preventative care

• Workforce Crisis: Qualification barriers destabilise Scottish social care sector

• Policy Reform: ADASS President calls for solutions, not just problems

• Ethical Tech: BASW demands human rights at the centre of AI in social work

AI TOOLS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Tom Coulton, Service Manager at Wigan Council Discussing GenAI Tooling

Generative AI in local government must be more than innovation for innovation’s sake—it should drive real, measurable improvements to frontline practice and citizen outcomes.

Hear from Tom, a Service Manager at Wigan Council, as he shares his experience of co-developing the tool with Agilisys, and what other councils should consider when choosing the right GenAI partner.​

👉To request a free trial of the GenAI platform Note Taker, visit: Note Taker – Agilisys Transform

DIGITAL HEALTH STRATEGY

Why Councils Need More Support To Build The Case For Preventative Digital Care

Local authorities face significant barriers in implementing preventative digital care due to insufficient evidence, practical guidance, and financial models. The newly released free blueprint, created by ADASS, TSA, and over 100 contributors including social care professionals and those with lived experience, provides councils with step-by-step guidance to justify and scale technology-enabled care. This addresses urgent shortfalls in evidencing positive return on investment for digital services.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Qualification Barriers Threaten Stability of Scottish Social Care Workforce

Mandatory qualifications for Scottish social care workers, while meant to professionalise the sector, are causing significant workforce instability due to poor funding and inaccessible training, with over half of relevant staff still unqualified. Without urgent investment and systemic reform, substantial staff losses are likely, threatening both the sustainability of care organisations and the quality of care across Scotland. Immediate stakeholder commitment is essential to address this crisis.

SOCIAL CARE REFORM

Adass President: ‘We Need to Bring Ideas Not Just Problems’

Jess McGregor, the new president of Adass, urges a shift from mere problem reporting to proposed solutions in adult social care, initiating the “Care Cant Wait” campaign to highlight the real-world impact of delayed or denied support. Her approach prioritises tangible collaboration with government and the national commission, emphasising the critical need for public awareness and practical improvements. This is directly relevant for local government leaders tasked with addressing persistent sector pressures.

SOCIAL WORK TECHNOLOGY

AI Must Centre Ethics, Human Rights And Dignity In Social Work Practice

Artificial intelligence is rapidly integrating into British social work, raising urgent ethical and regulatory questions around human rights, accountability, and the preservation of human contact. BASW underscores the necessity of co-produced standards, legal protections for human interaction in care, and prompt governmental action to ensure AI advances social justice. For professionals, immediate engagement, vigilance, and advocacy in shaping these frameworks are essential.

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