WM-ADASS launched its Digital Network in July 2021. Membership includes adult social care digital leads from each of our 14 councils. Representatives from partner organisations like Partners in Care and Health and NHS England also attend.
In 2025/26 the Network agreed to prioritise:
- Artificial Intelligence including emerging technologies: focusing on supporting council’s find new ways and to do things differently with technology and share what works well.
- Technology Enabled Care development and delivery: supporting councils to shape technology service delivery and develop robust information, advice and guidance around its application.
Activity during the year included:
AI and emerging technologies: following on from the well-attended webinars on AI in social care held in January (AI is knocking at the front floor) and February (how AI is supporting adult social care for the better) the Network saw further presentations and discussion on a range of AI and other digital tools. These included automated voice technology (eg Magic Notes) as well as automated telephony, now being used to support return of equipment, social care reviews, and gathering of feedback from people about their experience of adult social care. The Digital Care Hub presented work with the Institute of Ethics and AI at Oxford University around the responsible use of generative AI, and in March 2026, the Network heard from the West Midlands 5G investment programme and pilot implementations of enabled technologies in Birmingham, Coventry, and Wolverhampton.
Caretech presentation on council websites: Network members undertook a review of all 14 of the region’s websites to evaluate how councils are presenting their caretech ‘offer’, ie everything from pendants and traditional telecare to home sensors, apps, and smart devices used to keep people safe and connected. The survey questionnaire and reviews were conducted by members of the Co-production Advisory Group working alongside the Network. The review concluded that:
- Councils still focus on reactive rather than preventative tech
- Advice provided on council websites around 'everyday tech’ people can buy and use themselves is patchy
- Many councils focus on providing information only about their own 'tech offer’
- Information can be poorly presented and hard to find
In another collaboration with the Co-production Advisory Group the Network contributed to production of the AI Playbook, published in January 2025 and launched at the West Midlands Employers’ Festival of AI.
The Network has also had regular updates on digital developments from member councils, Partners in Care and Health, NHS England, the Technology Service Association and other partners, and saw a number of tech supplier presentations.
Presentation recording: Sandwell Council's virtual house
The presentation was delivered by Scott Deakin on behalf of his colleague Jon Hanney, to the Digital Leads meeting on 21 July 2026.
This report from ADASS and TSA was presented to the Network in 2025/26
