Social Work England and Skills for Care announce programme for AI summit

Social Work England and Skills for Care have published the full programme for their free one‑day summit on artificial intelligence (AI), taking place in Birmingham on Wednesday 20 May 2026. The event will bring together social workers, people with lived experience, educators, employers and technology specialists to explore how AI could shape the future of social work practice.

The programme includes more than 20 sessions covering topics such as AI‑supported safeguarding, the development of fair and inclusive technologies, AI literacy in social work education, and how emerging tools could support Care Act assessments. Attendees will also hear from Social Work England about findings from its independent research study on AI in social work, alongside a roundtable discussion on the regulator’s role in supporting safe and ethical adoption.

Speakers from local authorities, universities, technology organisations and the wider social care sector will contribute to keynotes, workshops, demonstrations and panel discussions throughout the day. Sarah Blackmore, executive director of professional practice and external engagement at Social Work England, said the summit is an important opportunity for the profession to consider how AI can enhance practice while protecting the central role of human judgement and relationships.

Attendance is free, and booking information is available through Skills for Care.

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