Artificial Intelligence (AI) Resources
Information resources for exploring Artificial Intelligence, social work and children's social care
Interest in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other data technology within children and families social work is growing. The application of these technologies offers opportunities for automating key tasks, such as diary scheduling, note-taking of meetings, translation, and assisting with the linkage, analysis and presentation of data.
The resource brings together existing published guidelines, explainers and research relevant to practitioners with a responsibility for children’s care and protection.
Useful Resources
Emerging Insights
Comprehensive analysis from the King’s Fund of emerging AI use across health and social care sectors.
AI in Social Work Education and Practice - Research in Practice is working with Social Work England in conducting research to find out more about how AI is being used by social work employers and social work educators in social work education and practice.
Reports from the Internet Watch Foundation on AI and the creation of child abuse content.
A research briefing by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST), based in the UK Parliament, on the ethical considerations of using AI in mental health.
Research from the Ada Lovelace Institute on how local authorities are using data analytics and AI systems.
NSPC Learning’s Viewing Generative AI and children’s safety in the round, research and recommendations.
Research from The Alan Turing Institute, the Scottish AI Alliance and Children's Parliament on how children in Scotland view AI and its potential impact on their rights.
The National Association of Fostering Providers explores what agencies and foster carers need to know about AI.
Learning Opportunities
Education Training Hub – An Introduction to AI in Social Care.
FutureLearn courses on AI: including Artificial Intelligence (AI), AI for Social Professionals and AI Ethics, Inclusion & Society.
Glasgow Caledonian University - AI for Health and Social Care Practitioners. This online module is designed to help health and social care professionals understand the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on their practice.
Research in Practice - Discussing the use of generative AI in children’s social care case recording
Policy and Guidance resources
The UK Government’s official guidance on the use of artificial intelligence by the UK Government and other public services.
The UK Information Commissioner’s Office guidance on AI and data protection.
A framework for ethical AI adoption from the independent adult social care organisation, The Digital Care Hub.
Practical guidance on working with AI for Social Workers, produced by the University of Strathclyde.
Professional Practice Guidance on using AI in social work, produced by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW).
The National Association of Fostering Providers explores what agencies and foster carers need to know about AI.
Key Organisations and Institutions
Good Things Foundation - Working to address digital exclusion.
NSPCC - Child Safety Online.
Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE).
Scottish AI Alliance - supporting responsible AI development in Scotland.
The Alan Turing Institute - UK's national institute for data science and artificial intelligence.
A brief introduction to AI
We are all being told that AI is going to revolutionise the way we live and work, but what exactly is it? And how can we prepare for the potential changes that are coming? This short video explains some of the basic principles of AI and how we are using it now and might use it in the future.
More explainer videos will be available in the new year.
Find out more through our Emerging Insights Series webinars
Our Emerging Insights Series of webinars focused on AI and children’s social care aims to explore the effects and experiences of how AI is being used in social care, the implications of these, how AI may be can enhance - not replace -human roles in child and social services, focusing on ethics, inclusion, and responsible innovation. We will explore how AI is influencing working practices in the child and social care sector, and what challenges and opportunities it brings.