Artificial intelligence (AI) software has reduced the hours social workers spend on administrative tasks by more than 60% in a recent pilot project.
Magic Notes, a tool that records conversations and generates ratings, was trialled by 19 Swindon Borough Council social workers, with “overwhelmingly positive” results.
Workers were able to spend more time on “meaningful, person-centred conversations with those they support”, the council said.
Councilor Ray Ballman, cabinet member for adult social care, said Magic Notes was “a game changer”.
The software, developed by UK organization Beam, was tested across 184 meetings between April and June and led to an average 63% reduction in the amount of time social workers spent preparing assessments.
The council said the average time to complete an assessment fell from 90 minutes to 35 minutes, and the time taken to write assessments from four hours to 90 minutes.
Social workers with their own barriers to work, such as visual impairments, English as a second language or dyslexia, also reported that the tool promoted a ‘more inclusive’ workplace culture.
Others said it had made them more confident in their roles.
Ms Ballman said: “We are now carefully considering the next steps and how we can further leverage this technology to support our colleagues and improve the quality of the care we provide.”
