AI project that saves Neath Port Talbot social workers 15 hours a week wins UK award

The council’s Digital and Adult Services teams were named winners of the Best Innovation or Demand Management Initiative at the 2025 Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Awards, held in Glasgow earlier this month.

Cutting admin, boosting care

The project has introduced AI tools to handle routine documentation and case recording, reducing the time social workers spend on admin by more than 15 hours a week.

• Writing up case notes has been cut by an average of 7.5 hours per week.
• Submitting case assessments is now around 8 hours faster.

Council leaders say the changes mean staff can focus on building relationships with residents and delivering higher‑quality assessments, rather than being tied up with paperwork.

“A testament to our teams”

Cllr Jo Hale, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services & Health, said the award recognised the dedication of staff:

“By harnessing AI, we’re not just improving efficiency — we’re enhancing the quality of care and freeing up our staff to focus on supporting residents.”

Cllr Simon Knoyle, Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Social Justice, added:

“This is a fine example of the use of emerging technologies to make life better for our residents. I’m pleased our innovative approach has been recognised with this UK‑wide award.”

National recognition

The APSE Awards celebrate best practice in local government across the UK. Neath Port Talbot’s entry stood out for its practical impact on frontline services, with staff also reporting improvements in the accuracy of meeting notes and case records.

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The council is one of eight councils across Britain – and the only one in Wales – to have been shortlisted by APSE for its prestigious Overall Council of the Year Award 2024.  

This is the second year running that Neath Port Talbot Council has been shortlisted for the accolade.

The councils shortlisted are:

• Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council

• Bath and North East Somerset Council

• Dundee City Council

• Neath Port Talbot Council

• Plymouth City Council

• South Tyneside Council

• Wigan Council

• Wirral Council

The awards receive hundreds of submissions and the outstanding councils which have met stringent criteria of the judges have been shortlisted for Overall Council of the Year.  

The Overall Council of the Year Award along with a list of individual council service awards will be handed out at a presentation evening to be held at the end of APSE’s annual seminar 2024 which will take place this year in Bristol on Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th September.

As well as Overall Council of the Year, Neath Port Talbot Council has also been nominated for individual awards in the following categories:  Best Workforce Initiative and Best Service Team: Soft Facilities Management.

Neath Port Talbot Council Leader, Cllr Steve Hunt, said: “We are delighted to see the hard work, innovation and determination to continue providing vital local services by the council in Neath Port Talbot has been recognised nationally by APSE’ Good luck to all those involved.”

The council’s Chief Executive, Karen Jones, added: “This recognition from APSE is particularly welcome after what has been a very challenging few years for us and for other councils around the UK.

“To be one of just eight councils shortlisted for Overall Council of the Year – and the only one in Wales – is a tribute to the dedication and commitment of our staff, working with volunteers and partners, to deliver high quality, highly valued services for our communities, residents and businesses.”

(Lead image: Neath Port Talbot Council)

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/08/21/neath-port-talbot-council-shortlisted-for-uk-wide-council-of-the-year-award/

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