Facilitating the national conversation on AI in children's social care

The first round of Community Sessions met in June. Even from these very first national conversations, a few things stand out really clearly…

• The most powerful conversations held both excitement and anxiety.
  Colleagues are optimistic about the potential – but equally thoughtful about risks around consent, accuracy and trust.
• “Human in the loop” isn’t a slogan – it’s a red line. 
  Across practitioners, leaders and data colleagues alike, there was strong consensus: professional judgement must remain central. Because AI is also in the loop, we need to rethink our QA processes to manage this.
• There’s a real appetite for collaboration around practical guardrails – clear guidance on how to use AI responsibly in real social work settings: with families, in recording, and in decision-making.
• Most importantly – people are ready to learn from each other.
  There’s huge variation in where organisations are, but the willingness to share openly and develop approaches together is a real strength.

We’re running the next round of sessions soon – details below if you’d like to join the conversation. 

Tuesday 14 July 1.00 – 2:30pm

Following on from our session on ethics and consent, this session focuses on the practical ways AI can support social workers in their day-to-day work.

Designed for social workers and practice managers, this session will explore how AI tools can be used to reduce administrative burden, support case recording, and free up more time for direct practice.

In this session, we will focus on:

• Identifying practical use cases for AI in social work
• Using AI tools to support case recording and documentation
• Reducing administrative workload while maintaining quality
• Understanding where AI can add value—and where it should not be used

Thursday 16 July 10.00 – 11:30am

As organisations move from exploration to implementation, ensuring AI is introduced safely and consistently becomes a key priority.

This session is designed for Principal Social Workers, workforce leads, and senior managers who are responsible for shaping how AI is implemented and embedded within practice.

In this session, we will focus on:

• Approaches to implementing AI safely within social care settings
• Ensuring quality assurance and consistency in use
• Defining standards, expectations, and boundaries for practice
• Supporting teams through change while maintaining oversight

Thursday 16 July 1.00 – 2:30pm

As organisations begin to move from strategy into implementation, a range of practical challenges begin to emerge across systems, governance, and delivery.

This session is designed for data, digital, governance, and commissioning leads who are navigating the complexities of implementing AI within existing organisational structures and infrastructure.

In this session, we will focus on:

• Key implementation challenges across systems and services
• Integration with existing infrastructure and case management systems
• Barriers related to governance, procurement, and compliance
• Practical considerations for scaling and sustaining AI use

Thursday 20 August 10 – 11.30am

As AI becomes more accessible across social care, many practitioners are considering how to use these tools effectively whilst maintaining confidence in their own professional judgement and decision-making.

This session is designed for social workers and practice managers who want to explore the relationship between AI, professional expertise, and practitioner voice.

In this session, we will focus on:

• Building confidence in using AI tools appropriately within practice
• Understanding the role of professional judgement when using AI-generated outputs
• Maintaining practitioner voice in assessments, case recordings, and communication
• Recognising the strengths and limitations of AI in supporting decision-making

These are indicative themes based on our conversations so far, but the first thing we will ask you is whether you think we should be collaborating on something else instead. Each CoP will decide for itself what to focus on.

Whether you are already using AI or are still considering its place within your work, this session will support you to use these tools with confidence whilst retaining your professional identity and judgement.

Thursday 20 August 1 – 2.30pm

As organisations move from exploration and implementation towards wider adoption of AI, leaders have an important role in ensuring appropriate governance, risk management, and organisational oversight are in place.

This session is designed for Principal Social Workers, workforce leads, and senior managers who are responsible for supporting the safe, effective, and sustainable adoption of AI across their services.

In this session, we will focus on:

• Identifying and managing risks associated with AI use in social care
• Establishing governance arrangements that support safe adoption
• Developing policies, guidance, and accountability frameworks
• Balancing innovation with quality, assurance, and public trust

These are indicative themes based on our conversations so far, but the first thing we will ask you is whether you think we should be collaborating on something else instead. Each CoP will decide for itself what to focus on.

Whether your organisation is developing its approach or expanding existing activity, this session will support you to strengthen governance arrangements and build confidence in the safe adoption of AI.

Friday 21 August 11am – 12.30pm

Effective AI adoption relies on more than policy and governance. It also requires the right data, systems, and infrastructure to support safe, scalable, and sustainable implementation.

This session is designed for data, digital, governance, and commissioning leads who are considering the technical and organisational foundations required to support AI within social care.

In this session, we will focus on:

• Understanding the data requirements that support effective AI use
• Exploring infrastructure and system considerations for implementation
• Identifying opportunities and constraints within existing technology landscapes
• Considering how organisations can build foundations for future AI-enabled services

These are indicative themes based on our conversations so far, but the first thing we will ask you is whether you think we should be collaborating on something else instead. Each CoP will decide for itself what to focus on.

Whether your organisation is planning future developments or enhancing existing capabilities, this session will support you to think strategically about the systems and infrastructure needed for long-term success.

All levels of participation are welcome as are all views on AI. If you’re innovating in AI in your practice, this is an opportunity to share your learning more widely. If you’re concerned about AI in children’s social care, this is your chance to shape the conversations that will define its future. 

Be part of the national conversation – click on the links above to sign up for our July community sessions.