Social Work England and Skills for Care announce programme for one-day summit on artificial intelligence (AI)

Social Work England and Skills for Care are pleased to announce the programme for their free one-day summit on AI and the future of social work. The event will take place in Birmingham on Wednesday 20 May 2026.

The summit will bring together social workers, AI experts, educators and people with lived experience. It aims to explore how AI can be responsibly used by social workers and the influence it will have on the future of social work.

A packed programme offers over 20 sessions, including:

• embedding AI in safeguarding without losing professional judgment
• equality, diversity and inclusion and fair AI
• lived experience meets AI
• AI assisted Care Act assessments
• AI literacy in social work education 

Social Work England will present the findings of its independent research study on AI in social work. It is also hosting a roundtable on how regulation can support safe, ethical and effective adoption of AI in social work. Senior leaders across social work and regulation will share their views and expertise.

As part of the event there will be keynote presentations, workshops, technical demonstrations and panel discussions. Speakers include representatives from local authorities, universities, tech companies and organisations focused on social work.

Sarah Blackmore, executive director of professional practice and external engagement at Social Work England, said:

“Social work is one of the most adaptable, innovative and unique professions. It is therefore no surprise to see social workers increasingly embrace new digital technologies and AI to support their work, and free up time to focus more on relationships with the people they work with.

“The one-day summit we’re delighted to be hosting alongside Skills for Care is an opportunity for social workers and those working across the sector to come together to learn and explore the use of artificial intelligence in social work. We hope the programme for the day will have something for everyone on it.”

For full details about the event, how to book your free place, and the full programme, visit Skills for Care’s website.