The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) contributed to this year’s National Children and Adult Services Conference (NCASC) (27-29 November 2024, ACC Liverpool) by focusing on the potential of innovation, particularly digital innovation, to transform care services and experiences. The conference brought together leaders, practitioners, and innovators in health and social care to connect, collaborate, and explore key sector issues.
SCIE launched a strategic partnership with Agilisys, a leading provider of technology solutions to the public sector. Through the power of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), SCIE and Agilisys are focused on improving social care choices and supporting adults and children to lead the lives they choose as independently as possible.
Together, SCIE and Agilysys hosted a panel event that explored the need for the social care sector to harness the power of GenAI. It brought together exceptional social care leaders, including Jayne Ratcliffe, Director of Adult Social Services at Oldham Council; Rob Gregory, Assistant Director Digital Transformation and Intelligence at Wigan Council; Tom Coulton, Digital Transformation and Financial Wellbeing – Adult Social Care at Wigan Council; Georgia Chimbani, Corporate Director, Adult Health and Social Care at Tower Hamlets Borough Council; Sam Coles, Head of Adult Social Care Charging, Accelerating Reform Fund (ARF) team at Department of Health and Social Care; Andrew Mindenhall, Chief Executive Officer at Agilisys; and Kathryn Smith, Chief Executive at SCIE.
The panel underscored the critical importance of confidently adopting GenAI technologies, particularly exploring their current utilisation by councils and highlighting the benefits achieved. They discussed how to maintain a practitioner-led approach and include co-production, that is, working in equal partnership with people using services, carers, families and citizens, to ensure that local needs drive the technology to achieve the most effective local outcomes rather than tech solutions being shoe-horned into fit. They also examined the digital innovations implemented by Accelerating Reform Fund (ARF) projects, emphasising their contribution to improving service delivery and tackling complex challenges within communities.
SCIE hosted two workshops at NCASC. The first delved into the progress of the local innovation projects funded by the Government’s ARF. The panellists reflected on the first six months of learning, on-the-ground challenges, and the need to be resilient, adaptable, and unafraid to pilot new approaches. They also pointed out the importance of strong governance and joint working across Local
Councils. These discussions were particularly timely as the Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, used his speech at NCASC to announce a £22.6 million boost to the ARF.
The second looked at how co-production supports sustainable, strengths-based approaches. It explored the power of co-production for both local authorities and individuals, successful examples of co-production, how to learn from these successes and from failures, and why diversity is essential for co-production to be effective.
Kathryn Smith, Chief Executive at SCIE, said:
“The social care sector is navigating profound challenges as financial pressures combine with increasing, and unmet, demand. However, NCASC was marked by a sense of hope and determination. The sector came together, united by our shared commitment to improving the lives of people who draw on care and support services and their families, to foster meaningful change and embrace new opportunities.
“We need a stronger, safer, and more innovative social care system. SCIE’s partnership with Agilisys combines the former’s wealth of trusted, evidence-based expertise and the latter’s years of experience as a public sector technology and innovation partner to drive the safe, ethical, and transformative adoption of GenAI in social care. The workshops SCIE hosted sparked meaningful discussions and provided invaluable insights that revealed the sector’s appetite for change and its shared resolve to embrace innovation grounded in co-production.
“This is a crucial moment for social care. The spreading and scaling of innovation create new avenues for stabilising the sector and creating a society where care and support maximises people’s choices.”
Andrew Mindenhall, Chief Executive Officer of Agilisys, said:
“Following a successful launch at NCASC, we are proud to embark together with SCIE on a transformative journey to revolutionise the social care sector through innovation and collaboration.
“Through the integration of GenAI and advanced digital solutions, we aim to enhance operational efficiency, improve outcomes, and empower those delivering and receiving care and support. Equally, we are committed to addressing the critical ethical considerations surrounding the use of GenAI in social care, ensuring that innovation serves the best interests of all.
“This partnership represents a powerful union of cutting-edge technology and deep sector expertise and a shared vision to drive meaningful change. Together, we look forward to delivering innovation that truly makes a difference.”
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