Calling all Adult Social Care Professionals in London! ​

Join us for an exclusive breakfast roundtable exploring the role of Generative AI in Adult Social Care.​

This event, hosted by Agilisys Transform, will bring together Adult Social Care leaders to discuss how AI can enhance social care services, reduce administrative pressures, and improve outcomes for residents.​

As Generative AI gains traction across the public sector, this session will provide a practical upskilling opportunity and a space to discuss the real-world implications of AI in social care. We will also explore how this aligns with the Prime Minister’s AI Action Plan and what it means for local authorities.​

What to Expect:​

• ✅ A high-level briefing on Generative AI in Adult Social Care​

• ✅ Roundtable discussion with local authority leaders and AI experts​

• ✅ Insights from industry thought leaders on the future of AI in social care​

• ✅ A hands-on demonstration of AI’s potential to support social care teams with an opportunity to try our leading QuickAction tool​

• ✅ Networking opportunity over breakfast​

This event is designed to foster discussion, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among social care leaders navigating the evolving AI landscape.​

Spaces are limited, so register now to secure your place!​

📍 Venue: Scale Space, 58 Wood Lane, London, United Kingdom, W12 7RZ​

📅 Date: 20th March​

⏰ Time: 8:30 – 11:00 AM​​

NEIGHBOURHOOD ENHANCEMENT

UK Funding to Empower Local Council Revitalisation Efforts

The UK government's £1.5 billion "Plan for Neighbourhoods" is an opportunity for local councils, directly addressing long-standing deprivation. With funding allocated to 75 areas—each receiving up to £20 million—this initiative is designed to rejuvenate critical community infrastructure, such as high streets, cultural venues, and parks. Neighbourhood boards, comprising residents and businesses, are pivotal, tasked with directing financial resources towards local priority projects, thereby fostering healthier and interconnected communities.

Aligned with the overarching "Plan for Change", this effort empowers local councils through devolved authority, championing a shift from centralised governance to community-driven decision-making. The plan's multifaceted approach targets enhancements in vital services like education and healthcare, while also addressing crime and local-specific issues. This initiative promises more than just immediate infrastructure improvements; it offers a long-term commitment to sustainable growth, unlocking latent community potential. As local governance shapes funding priorities, this provides a unique opportunity to revitalise socio-economic landscapes, forging a path towards comprehensive regional prosperity and innovation.

AI GOVERNANCE

Evaluating Human Oversight in AI-Powered Government Services Amid Urgent Ethical Concerns

As AI technology becomes embedded in public services, the scrutiny over human oversight intensifies. Officers acting as 'human-in-the-loop' (HIL) are pivotal in ensuring AI decisions are responsibly governed. While this role can mitigate unethical AI conduct, its actual efficacy is under question. Consider: are HILs indispensable for ethical AI governance, or are they largely ceremonial? This critical inquiry is spearheaded by LOTI, focusing on defining 'meaningful human involvement' amidst new legislative changes affecting Automated Decision Making.

By delving into human oversight's challenges, crucial concerns emerge around accountability, technical transparency, and potential bias. The current system risks providing a false sense of security, with unaddressed risks proliferating reliance on HILs. Local councils must navigate the intersection of human judgement and machine precision, aiming for systems that effectively serve citizens while upholding public trust. This research endeavours to provide actionable guidance, equipping councils to strategically leverage AI within a framework of responsibility and accountability, maintaining the integrity of the social contract with their communities.

DIGITAL HEALTH INNOVATION

New Tech Revolutionises Local Authorities' Care Approach for Improved Outcomes

The Value Care Group's rollout of groundbreaking digital health technology, comprising Mica and Milie, marks a significant evolution in care strategy for local authorities. These AI-powered innovations promise to redefine care delivery from a reactive to a proactive model. Mica, a conversational AI wearable, paired with Milie, an IoT care hub, collaborates seamlessly with families, clinicians, and care teams to combat systemic inefficiencies, reduce social isolation, and advance care outcomes. The use of analytics for early crisis detection—tracking environmental and behavioural indicators—enables pre-emptive interventions, thereby streamlining operations and reducing costs.

Stephen Nyasamo highlights the urgency of reform within care systems, which COVID-19 exposed as unscalable and inadequate. This transformative approach leverages AI to prevent crises instead of merely responding to them. Milie and Mica present a scalable solution, empowering local authorities to predict and manage risks more efficiently, ensuring sustainability and financial prudence. With Merton Council pioneering this initiative, a strategic opportunity emerges for other councils to enhance care delivery by participating in the limited pilot programme, steering towards a future where policy, funding, and technology collaboratively enhance societal well-being.

NEIGHBOURHOOD RENEWAL STRATEGY

£40m Funding to Empower Londonderry and Coleraine Revitalisation

Londonderry and Coleraine's receipt of £40m under the UK government's Plan for Neighbourhoods marks a pivotal opportunity for local councils to revitalise their areas. This funding endeavour, moving beyond previous idle pledges, seeks to confront deprivation and foster regional growth with £20m allocated to each town. A strategic framework will be implemented, emphasizing Neighbourhood Boards that facilitate community engagement and decision-making around essential projects such as infrastructure upgrades and social amenities. With a broader scope involving 75 UK towns and cities, this initiative underscores a critical movement towards enhancing local governance and planning autonomy.

DIGITAL INCLUSION INITIATIVES

UK Digital Inclusion Plan Urgent to Close Service Access Gaps

The UK government's Digital Inclusion Action Plan, "First Steps," highlights the significance of bridging the digital divide, especially for the most vulnerable groups like older adults, individuals with disabilities, and low-income households. This initiative stresses the importance of digital access in connecting people and facilitating access to essential services, such as remote monitoring and assistive technologies, which ideally should not remain out of reach for those reliant on social care. The urgent need for digital inclusion grows as society shifts rapidly towards digitalisation, risking the further alienation of these groups.

Five key initiatives are outlined to promote digital inclusion over the next year. These include launching a Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, enhancing digital skills frameworks, and collaborating with the Digital Poverty Alliance to repurpose government laptops. Making digital government services more accessible and gathering evidence through stakeholder consultation are also critical components. The plan prioritises specific groups, ensuring they gain the required digital competencies to participate fully in an increasingly digital world and inviting feedback to refine future efforts. This urgent call for a collective response highlights the critical nature of fostering digital equity.

 HEALTHCARE FUNDING

Increased Funding to Care Homes Targets Healthcare System Challenges

The government's move to boost funding for care homes by 7.7% signifies a pivotal shift in addressing the operational pressures within the sector. By raising the NHS-funded care rate from £235.88 to £254.06, and the higher rate from £324.50 to £349.50, this adjustment plays a crucial role in fortifying care homes' capacities. This financial uplift is essential in mitigating hospital bottlenecks by optimizing patient transitions to community care settings, aligning with broader initiatives focused on creating a sustainable adult social care system. The allocation of £3.7 billion to local authorities alongside £172 million for the Disabled Facilities Grant underscores a commitment to enhancing community-based care frameworks.

However, sustainability remains fragile amid rising economic pressures and narrowing pay disparities between nurses and minimum wage roles. Professor Martin Green of Care England underscores the imperative for Integrated Care Boards to implement parallel funding increases to avert further strain on hospital discharge efficiencies. This funding boost should catalyse further strategic reforms, stressing the need for a cohesive approach that extends beyond one-time financial corrections. Insights from this development are critical for steering policy adjustments and ensuring robust sector resilience.

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