Emerging use of AI in
social work: what we found
What does AI mean for social work?
2. The trust in AI is also mixed
4. Things to consider
when using AI
3. So what now?
1. The AI landscape for Social Work
Reccommendations
Click on a social worker to read some thoughts on AI
Read the full report
Design by Nifty Fox Creative
3. so what now?
AI can be a powerful tool — but must be used with care.
AI is not going away. Those who resist its adoption risk being left behind as it becomes increasingly embedded in professional practice. A balanced approach may be necessary - one that acknowledges AI’s benefits while preserving spaces where human judgment and direct engagement remain central. While AI is not yet the norm in social work, its gradual integration suggests that finding this balance will be crucial.
Training is a significant gap: our research suggests 86% of recent graduates received no AI training, and guidance for staff and educators remains unclear. We need to focus on skills training when using AI safely and effectively, such as critical thinking and digital literacy.
Social Work Educator
AI refers to machines and systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.
AI could reduce social workers workload so they can do only what humans can: spending more time with people to help them improve their chances in life. The most common tools are virtual assistants, transcription tools, chatbots, and case note generators. Ethical risks, reliability and continued rapid change continue to make meaningful consistent implementation of AI a challenge.
“AI could provide emotional support for social workers by offering stress management resources or real-time guidance during challenging cases.”
(social work educator)
THIS RESEARCH RECCOMMENDS...
- Keeping people at the centre
- Use professional judgement
- Advocate for the support you need
- Think critically when using AI - AI outputs are not always accurate within the recommendations
- Always follow ethical principles
“Overall, my documentation time for [case] notes has been reduced by about 50 to 30%, this allows me more direct time with my clients.”
(social worker NHS)
4. things to consider when using ai
1. Build AI literacy
2. Uphold professional standards
Ultimately, we want social workers to feel confident in their professional skills, curiosity, and judgment, and to use AI in a way that enhances, not undermines, their practice.
Social workers, social work educators and employers should prioritise in CPD, tool awareness, ethics, and responsible use to implement AI safely.
All AI use must align with social work professional standards, values and ethics.
3. Maintain accountability
4. Keep people first
AI must never replace the human judgment and relationships that sits at the heart of social work.
Social workers remain responsible for their decisions, even when AI is involved.
“We did a QA activity where we looked at 20 cases where [GenAI] had been used, and we found that while it saved time, there were instances where critical information was missed. We’re now developing a more robust QA framework specifically for AI-generated content.”
(practice leader)
1. The AI Landscape for Social Work
In 2025, Social Work England commissioned two 2 pieces of research: a literature review by The Open University and a research investigation by Research in Practice. We conducted a nationwide survey, received 155 responses, and held focus groups with 75 social workers.
In 2025, Social Work England commissioned two 2 pieces of research: a literature review by The Open University and a research investigation by Research in Practice. We conducted a nationwide survey, received 155 responses, and held focus groups with 75 social workers.
In 2025, Social Work England commissioned two 2 pieces of research: a literature review by The Open University and a research investigation by Research in Practice. We conducted a nationwide survey, received 155 responses, and held focus groups with 75 social workers.
In 2025, Social Work England commissioned two 2 pieces of research: a literature review by The Open University and a research investigation by Research in Practice. We conducted a nationwide survey, received 155 responses, and held focus groups with 75 social workers.
In 2025, Social Work England commissioned two 2 pieces of research: a literature review by The Open University and a research investigation by Research in Practice. We conducted a nationwide survey, received 155 responses, and held focus groups with 75 social workers.
Here's what we found:
- 83% believe AI can cut admin and paperwork, freeing up more time for the people they support
- The most common tools are virtual assistants, transcription tools, chatbots, and case note generators.
- It may also improve access, support communication, and help with language or learning needs — with some reporting reduced stress and better well-being.
- Training is a significant gap: our research suggests 86% of recent graduates received no AI training, and guidance for staff and educators remains unclear.
- 40% said they have used AI with direction from their employer.
- 24% said they have used GenAI without direction from their employer.
2. Trust in ai is also mixed
Fewer than half feel AI can support decisions or assess risk safely.
On using AI in decison making, respondents were less optimistic around AI’s ‘capacity to aid decision making’ (48%) or to ‘identify risk and need in social work’ (46%)
Key concerns include:
- Privacy and data safety
- Bias and unfair outcomes
- Accuracy of AI-generated notes
- Unclear responsibility
- Capturing informed consent
- Quality assurance of AI generated outputs
A particular challenge identified was whether there was a need for informed consent when using AI in social work.
Click the button for more information
4. things to consider when using ai
1. Build AI literacy
2. Uphold professional standards
Ultimately, we want social workers to feel confident in their professional skills, curiosity, and judgment, and to use AI in a way that enhances, not undermines, their practice.
Social workers, social work educators and employers should prioritise in CPD, tool awareness, ethics, and responsible use to implement AI safely.
All AI use must align with social work professional standards, values and ethics.
3. Maintain accountability
4. Keep people first
AI must never replace the human judgment and relationships that sits at the heart of social work.
Social workers remain responsible for their decisions, even when AI is involved.
3. so what now?
AI can be a powerful tool — but must be used with care.
AI is not going away. Those who resist its adoption risk being left behind as it becomes increasingly embedded in professional practice. A balanced approach may be necessary - one that acknowledges AI’s benefits while preserving spaces where human judgment and direct engagement remain central. While AI is not yet the norm in social work, its gradual integration suggests that finding this balance will be crucial.
Training is a significant gap: our research suggests 86% of recent graduates received no AI training, and guidance for staff and educators remains unclear. We need to focus on skills training when using AI safely and effectively, such as critical thinking and digital literacy.
Social Work Educator
SWE 0698
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Transcript
Emerging use of AI in social work: what we found
What does AI mean for social work?
2. The trust in AI is also mixed
4. Things to consider when using AI
3. So what now?
1. The AI landscape for Social Work
Reccommendations
Click on a social worker to read some thoughts on AI
Read the full report
Design by Nifty Fox Creative
3. so what now?
AI can be a powerful tool — but must be used with care.
AI is not going away. Those who resist its adoption risk being left behind as it becomes increasingly embedded in professional practice. A balanced approach may be necessary - one that acknowledges AI’s benefits while preserving spaces where human judgment and direct engagement remain central. While AI is not yet the norm in social work, its gradual integration suggests that finding this balance will be crucial.
Training is a significant gap: our research suggests 86% of recent graduates received no AI training, and guidance for staff and educators remains unclear. We need to focus on skills training when using AI safely and effectively, such as critical thinking and digital literacy.
Social Work Educator
AI refers to machines and systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.
AI could reduce social workers workload so they can do only what humans can: spending more time with people to help them improve their chances in life. The most common tools are virtual assistants, transcription tools, chatbots, and case note generators. Ethical risks, reliability and continued rapid change continue to make meaningful consistent implementation of AI a challenge.
“AI could provide emotional support for social workers by offering stress management resources or real-time guidance during challenging cases.”
(social work educator)
THIS RESEARCH RECCOMMENDS...
“Overall, my documentation time for [case] notes has been reduced by about 50 to 30%, this allows me more direct time with my clients.”
(social worker NHS)
4. things to consider when using ai
1. Build AI literacy
2. Uphold professional standards
Ultimately, we want social workers to feel confident in their professional skills, curiosity, and judgment, and to use AI in a way that enhances, not undermines, their practice.
Social workers, social work educators and employers should prioritise in CPD, tool awareness, ethics, and responsible use to implement AI safely.
All AI use must align with social work professional standards, values and ethics.
3. Maintain accountability
4. Keep people first
AI must never replace the human judgment and relationships that sits at the heart of social work.
Social workers remain responsible for their decisions, even when AI is involved.
“We did a QA activity where we looked at 20 cases where [GenAI] had been used, and we found that while it saved time, there were instances where critical information was missed. We’re now developing a more robust QA framework specifically for AI-generated content.”
(practice leader)
1. The AI Landscape for Social Work
In 2025, Social Work England commissioned two 2 pieces of research: a literature review by The Open University and a research investigation by Research in Practice. We conducted a nationwide survey, received 155 responses, and held focus groups with 75 social workers.
In 2025, Social Work England commissioned two 2 pieces of research: a literature review by The Open University and a research investigation by Research in Practice. We conducted a nationwide survey, received 155 responses, and held focus groups with 75 social workers.
In 2025, Social Work England commissioned two 2 pieces of research: a literature review by The Open University and a research investigation by Research in Practice. We conducted a nationwide survey, received 155 responses, and held focus groups with 75 social workers.
In 2025, Social Work England commissioned two 2 pieces of research: a literature review by The Open University and a research investigation by Research in Practice. We conducted a nationwide survey, received 155 responses, and held focus groups with 75 social workers.
In 2025, Social Work England commissioned two 2 pieces of research: a literature review by The Open University and a research investigation by Research in Practice. We conducted a nationwide survey, received 155 responses, and held focus groups with 75 social workers.
Here's what we found:
2. Trust in ai is also mixed
Fewer than half feel AI can support decisions or assess risk safely.
On using AI in decison making, respondents were less optimistic around AI’s ‘capacity to aid decision making’ (48%) or to ‘identify risk and need in social work’ (46%)
Key concerns include:
A particular challenge identified was whether there was a need for informed consent when using AI in social work.
Click the button for more information
4. things to consider when using ai
1. Build AI literacy
2. Uphold professional standards
Ultimately, we want social workers to feel confident in their professional skills, curiosity, and judgment, and to use AI in a way that enhances, not undermines, their practice.
Social workers, social work educators and employers should prioritise in CPD, tool awareness, ethics, and responsible use to implement AI safely.
All AI use must align with social work professional standards, values and ethics.
3. Maintain accountability
4. Keep people first
AI must never replace the human judgment and relationships that sits at the heart of social work.
Social workers remain responsible for their decisions, even when AI is involved.
3. so what now?
AI can be a powerful tool — but must be used with care.
AI is not going away. Those who resist its adoption risk being left behind as it becomes increasingly embedded in professional practice. A balanced approach may be necessary - one that acknowledges AI’s benefits while preserving spaces where human judgment and direct engagement remain central. While AI is not yet the norm in social work, its gradual integration suggests that finding this balance will be crucial.
Training is a significant gap: our research suggests 86% of recent graduates received no AI training, and guidance for staff and educators remains unclear. We need to focus on skills training when using AI safely and effectively, such as critical thinking and digital literacy.
Social Work Educator