Social Work in the Age of AI: Exploring Possibilities and Pitfalls (Social Work Practitioners)

This webinar is open to members of the West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership. Please see below for our Partner organisations.

Please note this session is aimed at social work practitioners, a session developed for supervisors will be held on 27/3/25 you can register for this on our website.

This is a two and a half hour online training session that introduces social workers to the fundamentals of AI and its potential applications within social work practice. Participants will gain an understanding of what AI is, explore potential pitfalls such as ethical implications, and learn about the possibilities of AI tools in saving time and improving efficiency in their roles. Additionally, the session will highlight how AI can inspire creativity in developing innovative solutions to social work challenges. Through interactive discussions, case examples, and practical demonstrations, participants will leave with an understanding of how they can responsibly integrate AI into their professional practice.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. What is AI?

Define AI, identify its core components, and explain its relevance to social work practice.

2. Using AI to Save Time

Identify and apply AI tools to streamline administrative tasks to improve efficiency without compromising quality of care.

3. Ethical Uses of AI in Social Work

Recognise ethical considerations when using AI in social work, such as maintaining confidentiality, reducing bias, and ensuring equitable service delivery.

4. AI and Creativity

Explore and demonstrate creative applications of AI to support reflective practice.

Discover how AI can enhance your practice while maintaining the core values of the profession. Don’t miss this chance to stay ahead in an evolving field—book your place now!

Facilitator bios: Dr Tarsem Singh Cooner (Associate Professor in Social Work, University of Birmingham) is a registered and experienced social worker with a background in both practice and academia. His research is internationally recognised, particularly in the ethical uses of social media in social work. He has been dedicated to advancing social work practice through innovative research and comprehensive training programmes. As a technical innovator, Tarsem has consistently introduced cutting-edge, research-based training approaches for social work practitioners and managers. One notable award-winning example is the use of immersive virtual reality headsets, which has significantly enhanced the training experiences and practical skills of social workers. His recent research focuses on the use of Generative AI by social workers. He has been providing training to practitioners on the ethical implications of these technologies, emphasising key areas such as transparency, accountability, data protection as well as raising awareness around issues of AI bias. This work is crucial in ensuring social workers are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of AI in their practice. In addition to his research and training, Tarsem is committed to helping practitioners and managers anticipate the future development of these technologies. He encourages practitioners to consider how social work can influence the design of AI systems to ensure they align with the core principles of the profession. Through his work, Tarsem aims to foster forward-thinking approaches in social work education and practice, ensuring that emerging technologies are utilised ethically and effectively to benefit both practitioners and the communities they serve.

Web Profile: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/social-policy/cooner-tarsem-singh

Dr Caroline Webb (Assistant Professor of Social Work, University of Birmingham) is a qualified social worker and practice educator, having previously worked in a statutory child and families context, specialising in child protection work. Caroline’s research interests include supervision in social work, retention and workforce issues, and integrating AI into social work education and practice.  Caroline has previously worked with leading social work organisations offering expert advice and input on key topics.  These include the Social Care Institute of Excellence (SCIE), where she co-authored a Research Briefing on ‘Effective Supervision in Social Work and Social Care’, and Research in Practice (RiP) where she co-facilitated a Change Project in Reflective Supervision and co-authored a subsequent Resource Pack which was widely distributed amongst RiP members. On the topic of AI, alongside her colleague Dr Cooner, Caroline has presented at several important social work conferences and seminars showcasing her current research activities.  Caroline is committed to contributing to further scholarly discussion on this topic, emphasising the ethical and responsible uses of AI in social work and advocating for technology integration that aligns with the professional values of equality, diversity, and inclusion.  Caroline is also part of a select working group at the university tasked with developing a university-wide framework for the use of AI in research. 

Web Profile: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/social-policy/departments/social-work-social-care/staff/profile?ReferenceId=177771

Below is a link to our research into the uses of AI by social workers.

 https://tscooner.weebly.com/research-on-artificial-intelligence-ai-in-social-work-practice.html

Deadline to register: Monday the 17th of February 2025

Partner organisations:

Birmingham Children's Trust

Birmingham City Council

Birmingham City University

Cheshire East Council

City of Stoke-on-Trent Council

City of Wolverhampton Council

Coventry City Council

Coventry University

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Keele University

Sandwell Children's Trust

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Shropshire Council

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Staffordshire County Council (Including MPFT)

Staffordshire University

Telford & Wrekin Council

University of Birmingham

University of Warwick

University of Wolverhampton

University of Worcester

Walsall Council

Warwickshire County Council

Worcestershire County Council