The Future of Social Work: AI, Trust & Insights from a Leading Expert

As part of Social Work Week, we are excited to introduce Amos, the Service Manager for the Adolescent Safeguarding Service at Surrey County Council. Amos brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the field of social work. In this blog, Amos shares his insights on what it means to be a social worker, the impact of data on social work practice, the importance of professional development, the role of digital technologies and AI, the significance of professional identity, and the key factors that build trust within the profession and with the public. Through his responses, Amos highlights the challenges and opportunities in social work, offering valuable perspectives for current and aspiring social workers.

Q: What does being a social worker mean to you?

A: “Being a social worker means a lot to me. It is a helping profession, and you need to have a lot of empathy to do the job we do. As social workers, you must have an inquisitive mind to think critically and ask questions.”

Q: How can the better use of data improve social work practice and the experience of those who receive support?

A: “Better use of data allows us to learn and help colleagues make informed decisions about safety, such as determining when it's safe to conduct visits without putting anyone at risk. This innovation, introduced during the pandemic, is crucial and should not be completely abandoned. While there is a push to bring people back into the office, it's important to question whether people will genuinely be more effective or not.”

Q: What support or training has been most valuable to you in your career, and what more could be done to help social workers thrive?

“For me personally, the PQ programme in 2002/2003 was invaluable. We had the post-qualifying award programme PQ1 and PQ226, which was part of the Child Care Award Programme. These programmes, along with a range of trainings on topics such as neglect, assessing emotional abuse, and sexual abuse, provided extensive learning opportunities.

Learning from research, practices, and reports also offers valuable insights. As leaders within the organisation, we are developing bespoke training programmes and ongoing professional development opportunities for social workers as part of our CPD. This is evidenced annually with the regulatory body and helps ensure that our skills and knowledge remain current and effective.”

Q: How do you see digital technologies and AI shaping the future of social work, and what ethical challenges should we be mindful of?

A: “AI could play a pivotal role in our work by simplifying and speeding up the production of reports for social workers, which would be very helpful. Since the pandemic, there have been significant changes in our practice. We have embraced technology and innovations in our direct work and in the ways, we engage with and maintain contact with vulnerable children.”

Q: How important is professional identity in shaping the future of the profession?

A: “Professional curiosity is essential for social workers. It drives us to ask questions and not take things at face value. Maintaining our professional identity is crucial, and it should not be influenced by how the media portrays us. Instead, we must stay true to our core values.

Being knowledgeable, experienced, and skilled is vital, as is understanding who we work for—vulnerable children and families—and being there to support them. We must also be mindful of factors that could undermine public confidence in the profession and ensure that these do not affect us. It's important to stay at the top of our game.”

Q: In your experience, what are the key factors that build trust in social work, both within the profession and with the public?

A: “Building trust in social work involves adhering to professional standards and behaviours. As social workers, we must report any allegations of harm, exploitation, or discriminatory behaviour that we witness or evidence in our practice. It's essential to reflect on our working environment and challenge practices, systems, and processes when necessary to uphold professional standards.

We must inform people of their rights to complain, provide support for them to do so, and act on concerns raised within the profession. Learning from complaints is crucial, as they offer valuable lessons that can help us improve our practice outcomes for children and families.

Taking appropriate actions when professional practice is impaired is vital. This includes reporting to regulatory bodies, raising concerns about organisational wrongdoings, and ensuring that unsafe practices are declared to the appropriate authorities. Additionally, if our ability to perform our role is compromised due to health issues or criminal convictions, we have a duty to disclose this.

Upholding these standards is essential for gaining the trust of colleagues, families, and the community we serve.”