AI in Social Care

Small providers make up 80% of the care home market, yet when it comes to technology and AI, they're often the last to get support. In this episode, I sit down with Samir Patel – care home owner, operator, and founder of the Care Home Digi Hive community – to talk about his 20-year journey from paper chaos to practical AI implementation.Samir shares the lightbulb moments that pushed him toward tech, the £25,000 mistake that taught him everything about change management, and why he believes care homes should start with "back office" AI before touching resident data.Whether you're a startup or a large provider, this conversation is packed with hard-won lessons on making technology work without overwhelming your team.Find out more about the Digihive community: https://www.carehomedigihive.com/Samir's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-patel-07684912/Samir's podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iCareServicesUK/featuredAnd on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KKDdIwu5H9ke3dYOPdfu4?si=34c25c9a3559497a&nd=1&dlsi=c30ae3c960dc4482David's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mance/AIinSocial Care tutorials, podcast and more: https://aiinsocialcare.com/

Most care technology does what it says on the tin. It functions, ticks boxes, completes tasks.But somewhere in the process of evaluating, procuring and implementing tech, something often gets lost – the relationships that make care actually work.In this episode, I speak with Paul Shanahan, a clinical lead and behaviour analyst turned part-time coder, who's been wrestling with this challenge.Paul shares the thinking behind his Relational Care Tool, which is built on real research with service users, carers and care organisations. It helps teams evaluate technology not just on functionality, but on whether it enriches the human experience of care.We also talk about his digital health passport project, which is tackling one of the most frustrating and overlooked problems in care transitions: the outdated, easily lost, 12-page paper document that's supposed to tell a busy A&E team everything they need to know about a person with complex needs.If you've ever sat in a procurement meeting and thought "There must be a better way" then this episode is for you.Connect with Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pjshanahan/Relational Care custom GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-6984b31aadb08191a86b25d8a40c1afd-tech-for-relational-careListen to more interviews and watch free AI in care tutorials: https://aiinsocialcare.com/

What does it actually take to make AI work in a care setting? In this episode of AI in Social Care, I sit down with Kevin Humphrys, CEO of Oakland Care Group – a two-home provider that’s quietly doing some of the most thoughtful, practical AI implementation I’ve seen. No outsourced transformation project. No shiny tools for the sake of it. Just a leadership team willing to start with principles, and adjust the plan as they go. Here’s what stood out:– They didn’t wait to have it all figured out. They started with 5 rules.– Staff now build their own AI agents – including senior care staff. Not because they were “techy”, but because they saw the value.– Care planning went from 4 hours to 20 minutes – with better oversight, not less.– They spotted bias the hard way – and built systems to catch it next time.– Most importantly: they’re not using AI to cut corners. They’re using it to give staff time back. If you're in a care leadership role and feel like you're already behind on AI, you're not. But the gap will grow quickly in 2026 – and this episode shows what it looks like to start where you are, with what you’ve got.ResourcesKevin's Gen AI Governance template: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Yx6CSQe5y0bAuNWx9Ong7mOxdeZXm_U6/view?usp=drive_link📄 Free starter resources at frankcaremarketing.com #AIinCare #CareSector #SocialCareLeadership #CarePlanning #SocialCareTech

What happens when a care provider builds their own AI – not in a lab, but in the real world of rotas, staff sickness, and visit chaos?In this episode of AI in Social Care, I speak with Jonathan McFarlane, founder of Oran Care and now the creator of carevisits.AI – a new solution designed to help home care services tackle one of their biggest operational headaches: coordination.Jonathan shares his journey from music therapy and dementia care to building tech tools. Now, with a sharp focus on visit planning and routing, his team is developing AI to solve the kind of problems that only someone who’s been in the trenches would recognise.– Why care coordination is more complex than people think– Why the user decides how to measure success– How to approach optimising systems (way before getting AI involved)– Why experience in care matters more than clever codeIf you’ve ever felt the pain of last-minute rota changes, weekend on-call stress, or trying to make sense of three systems that don’t talk to each other, this one’s for you.Check out carevisits.ai🔗 Find free resources on getting started with AI in care at frankcaremarketing.comDavid's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mance/Jonathan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-mcfarlane-a9b0325a/#SocialCare #AIinCare #HomeCare #CareTech #DigitalCare #CareCoordination #AI #FrankCareMarketing #CareVisitsAI #HealthTech #CareSector

Everyone’s excited about AI, but few are actually getting it adopted by frontline workers. In this episode, I’m joined by Rachel Astall, Chief Customer Officer at Beam, creators of Magic Notes — an AI tool now used by half of all social care teams in UK local authorities. We talk about why social workers are often drowning in admin, how Magic Notes is helping to change that, and what it takes to make a tech rollout actually stick. We cover:🔸 How tools like Magic Notes are helping some workers stay in jobs they were about to leave🔸 What it takes to build trust and tech habits in care teams🔸 The role of training, templates, and culture in successful adoption🔸 Why AI in social care is about more than just efficiency – it’s about connection, consent, and quality of care If you're in adult social care, commissioning, or working with digital adoption in frontline services, this is an episode worth your time.

Where on earth do you start with adopting AI as a care provider? Studies show that if your leadership team isn’t using AI and talking about it knowledgeably, the rest of your organisation is far less likely to adopt it in a meaningful, effective way. In this episode I’m joined by Eric Bye, an AI consultant who works across sectors to help organisations use AI to not just be more efficient, but to amplify their own unique points of difference. We talk about the importance of a clear AI policy, privacy concerns, and Eric also shares how he likely saved his partner's life with ChatGPT. We also hear about Eric's experiences from community projects and offers perspectives on the future of AI capabilities. Eric's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericqbye/Eric's website: http://www.erictronai.com/MyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mance/ Download '5 easy ways to get started with AI': https://free.frankcaremarketing.com/5-simple-ways-to-get-started-with-ai-in-social-care 00:00 Introduction to AI Adoption in Care00:17 Meet Eric: AI Consultant Extraordinaire00:54 Eric's Journey in AI and Tech04:15 Leadership Workshops and Training05:17 AI in Various Sectors06:16 Leadership Mindsets and AI09:21 Building a Foundation of AI Knowledge12:46 Encouraging AI Experimentation15:45 Effective AI Leadership19:02 Creating and Implementing AI Policies21:49 Balancing Quick Wins and Long-Term AI Goals23:01 Brainstorming AI Integration in Workflows23:33 Aligning AI with Customer Experience24:21 Implementing AI Projects Quickly25:35 Data Privacy and Governance in AI28:35 AI in Healthcare: Challenges and Opportunities33:47 AI for Community Support and Education40:46 Future of AI: Task Automation and Integration46:44 AI Thought Leaders and Resources 

What's the point of AI if it doesn't solve big problems? Marcus is a mathematician on a mission. He quit investment banking to found Elyndra AI, a platform doing amazing things for children's care. In this episode of AI in Social Care, we cover:The best way to reinvent care isn't through tech – we need a Netflix documentaryFrom trading floors to children's homes – turning data analysis on proper problemsHow Shadow AI is already in your care service – and how to fix that before it does harmSome fascinating and original work in reimagining recruitment for complex careApproaching tech procurement as a great door opener to discussions within a business – and one warning sign to look out for from vendors Marcus is an original thinker that the sector is lucky to have IMHO.Do your ears a favour and listen to this one. 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Deezer, and Amazon Music.Like, comment, and subscribe for more honest, human-first conversations about the future of care. #aiinsocialcare #childrenscare #caretech #shadowAI #carecrisis 01:10 Reinventing Care with a Netflix documentary03:19 Human stories that build empathy06:07 Marcus’ path: maths, finance, family care homes09:03 AI and Data in Care Management14:53 AI is nothing without an expert to make sense of it16:01 Pitfalls and ‘shadow AI’ in care18:01 Introducing Elyndra and Its Impact21:00 Smarter referrals and safer matching24:01 Challenges in Introducing New Systems25:04 Building Trust with Providers28:13 The Importance of Information Sharing30:16 Personal Motivation and Vision32:20 Expanding Horizons: Future Plans34:01 Specialised Recruitment in Complex Care40:22 Practical Steps for Implementing AI in Care44:06 Final Thoughts  

What if your next brilliant care hire never even makes it past the CV stage?That’s the question we’re exploring in this episode of AI in Social Care — with guest Elan James Weedon (aka EJ), co-founder of Team Lily.EJ’s journey takes him from the West End stage to the heart of care sector recruitment. And along the way, he’s developed an AI voice assistant designed to fix one of the oldest problems in hiring: we judge too soon, based on too little information.We cover:– The difference between someone who’s clicking to apply and someone who really wants the job– Why traditional recruitment filters out some of the best people– How voice AI can help spot soft skills and values you’d never get from a form– And what happens when a candidate has all the right traits… but still gets overlookedYou’ll also hear a live demo of Lily — the AI assistant that holds short, human-sounding conversations with applicants, helping care providers listen better, earlier.If we say we hire on values, but filter by forms… what are we really doing? Download the FREE guide: 5 Ways to Get Started with AI in Care: https://free.frankcaremarketing.com/5-simple-ways-to-get-started-with-ai-in-social-careBook a FREE AI & Automation Consulting Call: https://book.frankcaremarketing.com/free-consultationMy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-manceTeam Lily website: https://www.teamlily.ai/EJ's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elan-james-weedon/ 

What if AI sparked deeper human connections rather than replacing them? Join David Mance as he talks with Alyson McKechnie-Vale, Business and Operations Director at Abbotsford Care, about using AI in innovative and practical ways to enhance creativity and make care more human.Alyson shares practical applications of using ChatGPT (or, rather, 'Gina'), and the impact of creative projects like 'Joy Boards' and 'Share It' on staff and residents.Learn about the importance of fostering a culture of curiosity, engaging staff in AI literacy, and creating meaningful connections through storytelling and art. Alyson is one of the good 'uns, and listening to her will inspire and encourage you.00:28 Alyson's Journey at Abbotsford Care02:39 The Role of AI in Allison's Work05:06 Creative Projects with AI10:22 Fostering a Positive Culture14:07 The Joy Boards Project19:25 AI Literacy and Ethical Use22:33 AI as a Learning Equaliser24:20 Reducing Administrative Burden in the Care Sector25:24 Collaborating with an AI and Data Visualisation Expert28:58 The Share It Project38:54 Hive Mind: Creative Networking in Social Care42:44 Concluding Thoughts and Fresh PerspectivesDownload the FREE guide: 5 Ways to Get Started with AI in Care: https://free.frankcaremarketing.com/5-simple-ways-to-get-started-with-ai-in-social-careBook a FREE AI & Automation Consulting Call: https://book.frankcaremarketing.com/free-consultationMy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-manceAlyson's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alysonmckechnievale

Carl Roberts, Director of Sales & Marketing at Boutique Care Homes, shares how he introduced AI into a small, busy care team. Carl shares how this has transformed the way they tell stories, engage communities, and stay consistent online.From crafting heartfelt Facebook posts to building a custom GPT trained in their brand tone, Carl breaks down:– The “AI Sandwich” model for ethical, efficient content– Why better prompts mean less server energy (and better ESG)– How he trained lifestyle leads and CRMs to use AI safelyWhether you're a CEO, home manager or comms lead, this episode gives you a grounded, step-by-step path into AI – without jargon, without hype.Download the FREE guide: 5 Ways to Get Started with AI in Social Care: https://free.frankcaremarketing.com/5-simple-ways-to-get-started-with-ai-in-social-careBook a FREE AI & Automation Consulting Call: https://book.frankcaremarketing.com/free-consultationMy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-manceFind Carl at https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlphilliproberts 

What if the most radical AI innovation in care… was coming from your local council? In this episode of AI in Social Care, David Mance speaks with Dwayne Johnson (no, not that one) — Chief Local Government Director at ICS.AI — about the pivotal role councils are playing in the UK’s AI revolution. From transcription tools that draft care notes, to multilingual voice agents that detect distress and route support in real time (we even take that one for a test drive) — we explore how ICS.AI is helping councils like Derby City Council to: – Halve documentation time for social workers– Use “AI copilots” to support faster, smarter decisions– Deliver early intervention through proactive systems– Save millions while improving care quality Watch or listen now – link in comments. Are councils ahead of the curve on AI? We’d love to hear what you think! #aiinsocialcare #socialcareinnovation #localgovai #counciltech #caretransformation

Will you need AI to get "Good" in your next CQC inspection? AI could soon play a critical role in how care providers are assessed. In this episode of AI in Social Care, David Mance speaks with Charles Cross, Director of Ashley Care and co-founder of Emma AI – a platform built to help care organisations deliver safer, more person-centred services using frontier technology. We explore whether the Care Quality Commission is already rewarding AI-led innovation under the new Single Assessment Framework… and whether providers who don’t adopt intelligent systems will be left behind. We unpack how AI can:- Flag emerging risks in real-time- Support with audits, compliance, and governance- Translate voice notes into full, verifiable care plans- Break down data silos between councils, the NHS, and care providers- Improve outcomes – not just for the service user, but for the workforce too This isn’t about robots or replacing humans. It’s about enabling frontline teams to focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional, ethical care. Do you think AI should become part of your next CQC audit – or is that going too far?  #aiinsocialcare #cqcinspection #careinnovation #socialcaretech #ukcaresector 

You don’t need a tech background to lead on AI in care In Episode 2: What Every Care Provider Should Know About AI, I’m joined by Alex Green, Director of Radfield Home Care, to break down how he’s using AI to save time, scale content, and support his team—without a tech background. We talk about:- Building useful AI tools with zero coding- Training care teams to use ChatGPT confidently- Real examples of AI saving hours across the business- The future of AI agents, predictive care, and compliance If you’re in care and still figuring out where AI fits-this episode is your starting point. Watch Episode 2 now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Deezer, and Amazon Music: https://aiinsocialcare.com/ #AIinSocialCare #CareLeadership #SocialCare #ChatGPT #FutureOfCare 

In this début episode, I sit down with Alastair McDermott of Human Spark AI, to explore how care providers can start their journey into AI.Alastair shares his journey from building websites to becoming a leading voice on practical AI adoption. He discusses how small care providers, business leaders, and frontline teams can begin using AI effectively, ethically, and without getting overwhelmed.Topics We Cover:The surprising speed of AI development—and why it’s different this timeWhere care providers can find quick wins (and big wins) with AICreating a culture of experimentation inside care teamsAddressing fears: job loss, mistakes, and ethical risksThe power of prompts and practical steps to build AI literacyWhy doing nothing is the biggest risk of allWhether you're a CEO, care manager, or just AI-curious, this conversation will help you cut through the noise, build clarity, and start seeing where AI fits into the future of care.Subscribe for more episodes as we unpack how AI can support – not replace – the human side of care. Resources:The Complete AI Toolkit: https://humanspark.ai/toolkit/Custom tools, including Alastair's Prompt creator: https://humanspark.ai/custom-ai-tools/