Agilisys Transform Named A Finalist for iNetwork Awards​

📊 Survey Analysis – Extracting key themes and sentiments from resident feedback to drive better decision-making.

🗣️ Conversation to Assessment – Automating ASC needs assessments so social workers can focus on meaningful conversations.

📝 Meeting Minutes Automation – Cutting admin time by generating formal meeting minutes from transcripts, leading to estimated savings of £59k+ for the PA team over 12 months.

Hear from Ethan Andrews, Head of Delivery at Agilisys Transform, about the impact of this work with Wigan Council!

📖 Read more about their work here

LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING

Government Confirms £69 Billion Funding Increase for English Council Budgets

The UK government has confirmed over £69 billion in funding for councils in England for the 2025-26 financial year, marking a 6.8% cash-terms increase in Core Spending Power compared to the previous year. This boost aims to support essential services, with up to £3.7 billion allocated specifically for social care authorities. The funding package includes an £880 million uplift to the Social Care Grant and a new £270 million Children's Social Care Prevention Grant to support family help initiatives. Additionally, £60 million is designated for long-term improvements in the local government sector, including empowering mayoral areas and supporting councils' financial reporting systems.

HEALTH CARE

Oxfordshire Health System Relieves Pressure with Successful Festive Season Initiatives

ELDERLY CARE INNOVATION

Care Lighting Innovation wins Women’s Award

Innovator Tallie Bush, creator of Circadacare, has been honoured with the Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award. Her innovation, Heleos, integrates circadian lighting and AI to optimise elderly care, fostering independent living while mitigating costs. Bush's journey underscores a strategic approach to addressing the urgent challenges faced by the ageing UK populace.

A Day in the Life of a Social Worker

Social workers manage diverse responsibilities, balancing direct client interactions, collaboration with professionals, and administrative duties. A typical day starts with reviewing emails and schedules, but flexibility is crucial as unexpected crises can arise, requiring immediate attention. Direct engagements with clients, such as home visits or virtual meetings, focus on assessing needs and providing tailored support.

Collaboration with healthcare providers and other agencies ensures coordinated care, often involving team meetings to discuss client progress. Administrative tasks, including updating case notes and handling referrals, are essential for compliance and continuity of care. Generative AI tools, like Agilisys' NoteTaker, can assist by streamlining documentation processes, allowing social workers to dedicate more time to client support.

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ADULT SOCIAL CARE

England Councils Risk Critical Service Cuts amid Untenable Social Care Funding Crisis.

A recent survey by the County Councils Network reveals that over 90% of councils in England, including Kent County Council (KCC), plan to raise council tax to the maximum allowed next year. Despite this, many councils anticipate further cuts to essential services such as adult social care, school transport, and libraries. The rising costs in the care sector, driven by changes to the National Living Wage and National Insurance contributions, are significant contributors to these financial challenges. Councils argue that the government fails to adequately recognize and fund the increasing demands and costs associated with social care. KCC Deputy Leader Peter Oakford emphasized that, despite efforts to balance the budget, the future remains challenging, with adult social care demands being a primary concern.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Nottingham Council Seeks Financial Stability Amid Budget Challenges and Changes

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