Ealing Council reveal that the introduction of an artificial intelligence (AI) tool has 'significantly reduced' administrative work of its Adult Services team.

One of the findings from a recent review of the council's Adult Social Care services by the Local Government Association (LGA) found that the tool saved practitioners 44% of their time. 

First rolled out at Ealing Council in Autumn 2024, the AI tool is called Magic Notes from Beam, a tech-enabled welfare services for local government.

It records practitioner visits, assessments, reviews and supports planning activities.

According to the council the AI tool produces 'concise and accurate notes' ensuring the voice of the cared for person is central to the assessment and planning support process. 

The reduction in administrative tasks has allowed practitioners to fully engage with people during assessments and support planning, say Ealing Council.  

The findings in the report follow the 'AI opportunities action plan' announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday, 13 January who set out a vision for AI "revolutionising our public services and putting more money in people's back pockets." 

The LGA's report 'Peer Challenge of Adult Social Care services in Ealing' is a two-year assessment of Ealing Council's adult social care team.   

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Ealing Council say feedback from people and carers has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting that the assessment process is now more interactive and person-centred, leading to a 'more engaging and meaningful experience'. 

The report also shows the council has significantly cut waiting times, making progress in last 24 months noting: "Significant transformation and improvement activity is in progress to reduce wait times for assessment.

"Currently the average wait time stands at 124 days with a maximum wait time of 200 days."   

Cllr Polly Knewstub, Ealing Council's cabinet member for healthy equal lives, said: "We are already working the lessons learnt from the inspection into our plans for the coming year but I am pleased to say that the overall report was very positive.  

"We are extremely proud of the work of colleagues and partners in Ealing Council and the LGA review is something we are very proud to have taken part in." 

The report showed: "You (Ealing Council) have achieved outstanding progress over the past 22 months, successfully meeting each of the recommendations from the Peer Challenge."