Key Insights from Our Breakfast Briefing

At this Panoramic Associates Breakfast Briefing we explored the impact of AI on Adult Social Care with public sector leaders, Emma Ockelford from Outcomes Matter and Affy Wajid from Peterborough City Council. Their insights provided a fresh look at how emerging technologies are reshaping the sector, improving outcomes, and addressing workforce challenges.

Overview: AI’s Role in Social Care

The briefing opened with a key question on everyone’s mind: How can AI alleviate some of the pressures faced by overstretched social care teams? Emma began by emphasising that AI isn’t here to replace professionals but to complement their work. By automating routine tasks like documentation and note-taking, AI enables workers to focus on higher-value activities—such as client engagement and decision-making.

One of the standout tools discussed was Magic Notes, an AI-driven solution currently being piloted in Peterborough. It transcribes caseworker conversations and organises the information into structured reports, saving considerable time on administrative tasks. This tool, along with others like CHC Plus (used to draft continuing healthcare assessments), demonstrates how AI can streamline documentation processes while maintaining professional oversight.

Affy noted that workers in Peterborough initially approached these tools with scepticism but quickly became advocates once they saw the impact. Staff reported feeling less overwhelmed and more empowered to focus on meaningful interactions with service users.

Key Themes and Questions Raised

Throughout the event, several key topics and questions emerged:

• Workforce Engagement and Training:
  Participants raised concerns about staff buy-in when introducing AI. As Affy highlighted, effective staff engagement is critical. Peterborough’s approach involved creating positive “noise” around AI, including engagement sessions and ongoing support to ease workers’ anxieties. The result? Staff now actively promote AI tools to one another.
• Data Security and Ethics:
  Given the sensitive nature of social care data, participants asked about data security and ethical considerations. Emma explained that Peterborough has established a dedicated AI governance board to ensure compliance with data protection regulations, involving both social care and health colleagues in these discussions.
• AI and Decision-Making:
  A recurring question was the role AI plays in decision-making. Emma emphasised that AI supports, rather than replaces, professional judgment. For example, the CHC Plus tool helps social workers by compiling evidence, but the final assessment still relies on human evaluation.
• Return on Investment (ROI):
  Participants were keen to understand the cost-benefit analysis of implementing AI. Affy noted that the pilot programmes in Peterborough have already shown time savings, especially in reducing reliance on agency staff and improving overall productivity.
• Future Prospects for AI in Social Care:
  AI’s potential in areas like quality assurance and predictive analytics was also discussed. Emma shared that Peterborough is exploring using AI to automate quality audits, freeing up time for practitioners to focus on implementing improvements. The council is also investigating how predictive analytics can help identify individuals at risk of needing more intensive care, allowing for earlier interventions.

Moving Forward with AI

As the event drew to a close, one message was clear: AI is not a “nice-to-have” but a necessity for future-proofing adult social care services. With ongoing staff shortages and rising demand, tools like Magic Notes and CHC Plus are proving invaluable in reducing administrative burdens and improving service delivery.

Peterborough’s forward-thinking approach serves as a model for other councils, showing that with the right support and engagement, AI can transform how social care is delivered—helping teams do more with less while maintaining the human touch that is central to the sector.

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Our Speakers

Emma Ockelford has worked extensively with the UK public sector and with digital companies, proving skills in facilitating and implementing impactful change across these sectors. In her own words:

“ I thrive off of making a genuine impact on outcomes for people within public services – I love working with social workers, schools, hospital staff, senior leaders and people that use public services to make a difference. I also love making a positive difference to the professionals that work and lead local services. My interest in emerging technology keeps me excited and at the forefront of innovation in the UK public sector.”

Affy Wajid is a social worker and project manager, boasting over three decades of experience of delivering change. As a registered social worker and seasoned programme manager, he has spent much of his career in senior management roles, and now works as an independent transformation consultant. Affy’s rich background in frontline social work practice fuels his passionate drive for sustainable change and innovative solutions. His unique practitioner’s perspective ensures that every initiative he leads is both sustainable and has quality practice improvement at is core. With a transformative approach, Affy is committed to exploring and delivering dynamic, practitioner-focused innovation.