Social Services data recording systems - Find a freedom of information request

Please find below a number of questions relating to your Social Services data recording system and the current and / or future development and use of technology.

1a. What is the name of your current provider for your data management recording system for your Children Social Services?
1b. Is this the case regarding Adult Social Services too?

2a. Does your current Children Social Services data system allow for 'Application Programming Interface' (API) i.e. allowing two or more computer programmes to communicate with each other?

2b. Is this the case regarding Adult Social Services too?

3a Over the last 5 years (on a year by year basis), what has been your referral rate into Children Social Services Department?

3b. Similarly regarding Adult Social Services Department?

4a. Over the last 5 years (on same year by year basis), what rate of Social Workers resigned /left Children Social Services Dept, and also Adult Social Services Dept,

4b. how many new permanent Social Workers were recruited during the same period and in each Dept?

5a. Are you currently researching the use of artificial intelligence /learning software linked to your Children Social Services data recording system / processes?

5b. Is this the case regarding Adult Social Services too?

6. If yes to Q5, is this via an internal or an external company?

7a. Are you already currently actively using a form of artificial intelligence / learning software with regards to Children Social Services data recording / processes?

7b. Is this the case regarding Adult Social Services too?

8a. If yes to Q7a, in what areas/capacity is this currently being used?

8b. Similarly if yes to Adult Social Services?

9. If yes to Q8, is this via an external commission /and who?

10. If not actively researching or using any artificial intelligence / learning software in relation to your Social Services Departments (Children's or Adults), does your Local Authority anticipate that they will be looking to explore such technology /innovations in the near future?

11. Would your Local Authority ever consider acting as a pilot with such technology, specifically linked to your Social Services Department?

12a. What was the initial cost for you to buy your current data recording system for Children Social Services?

12b. Is this the case regarding Adult Social Services too?

13 After the 'initial cost' for your data recording system, what was the breakdown of your year on year expenditure for your data recording system e.g. such as Maintenance, Support or Training fees?

14a. How long have you used your current data recording system for Children Social Services?

14b. Is this the case regarding Adult Social Services too?

15a. How long are you contracted to use your current Children's Social Services data recording system?

15b. Is this the case regarding Adult Social Services too?

1a. The Access Group

b. Yes.

2a. Yes

b. Yes

3a.b.

 4.a.b.

5a. The FOI Act is for recorded information only

b. The FOI Act is for recorded information only

6. N/a

7a. No – not within our case management system.

b. Yes

8a. N/a

b. N/a

9. N/a

10. The FOI Act is for recorded information only

11. The FOI Act is for recorded information only

12a -b. The full procurement, implementation and training costs were c£3m

13. Total combined ongoing annual costs for all elements of case management social care recording for Adults and Childrens services combined, (including maintenance, support and hosting), is £428,124.50 (we don’t have split costs for Children & Adults as it is a combined / integrated system.)

14.a-b. The system for both Children and Adults went live on 12th December 2016.

15.a -b. The current contract is for five years, with a contract end date of 05.01.2028, there is however an optional 2-year extension allowed.