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?
OLM Systems Ltd.
1b. Is this the case regarding Adult Social Services too?
Yes.
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?
Yes.
2b. Is this the case regarding Adult Social Services too?
No.
3a According to your own recording system data, for the last 5 years and on a year by year basis, what has been your referral rate into Children Social Services Department?
This information is published annually by the Department of Education (DfE) and can be found at the following link Statistics: children in need and child protection.
3b. Similarly regarding referral rate into Adult Social Services Department?
| SALT Year Table | Client Count | Population (18+) | Rate per 100k |
| 2019/20 STS001 1a (18-64) | 6,369 | 451,300 | |
| 2019/20 STS001 1b (65+) | 23,272 | 204,201 | |
| 2019/20 Total 18+ | 29,641 | 655,501 | 4521.9 |
| 2020/21 STS001 1a (18-64) | 6,081 | 454,804 | |
| 2020/21 STS001 1b (65+) | 28,663 | 207,836 | |
| 2020/21 Total 18+ | 34,744 | 662,640 | 5243.3 |
| 2021/22 STS001 1a (18-64) | 5,539 | 318,679 | |
| 2021/22 STS001 1b (65+) | 21,695 | 212,614 | |
| 2021/22 Total 18+ | 27,234 | 531,293 | 5126 |
| 2022/23 STS001 1a (18-64) | 6,055 | 465,067 | |
| 2022/23 STS001 1b (65+) | 22,467 | 214,594 | |
| 2022/23 Total 18+ | 28,522 | 679,661 | 4196.5 |
| 2023/24 STS001 1a (18-64) | 7,837 | 468,732 | |
| 2023/24 STS001 1b (65+) | 27,052 | 217,363 | |
| 2023/24 Total 18+ | 34,889 | 686,095 | 5085.2 |
4a. Over the last 5 years and on a year by year basis, how many registered Social Workers have resigned /left your Children Social Services Dept, and also Adult Social Services Dept,
Leavers – Children’s Social Workers
2023 – 72
2022 – 45
2021 – 50
2020 – 43
2019 – 53
Leavers – Adults Social Workers
2019 – 28
2020 – 24
2021 – 28
2022 – 29
2023 – 20
4b. How many new permanent registered Social Workers have been recruited during the same year on year period for each Dept?
Starters – Children’s Social Workers
2023 – 69
2022 – 47
2021 – 42
2020 – 44
2019 – 28
Starters – Adults Social Workers
2019 – 52
2020 – 49
2021 – 45
2022 – 48
2023 – 34
5a. Are you currently researching the use of artificial intelligence /learning software linked to your Children Social Services data recording system / processes?
Yes.
5b. Is this the case regarding Adult Social Services too?
Yes.
6. If yes to Q5, is this via an internal or an external company?
It is a combination of our internal teams working with Microsoft.
7a. Are you already currently actively using a form of artificial intelligence / learning software with regards to Children Social Services data recording / processes?
No.
7b. Is this the case regarding Adult Social Services too?
Yes.
8a. If yes to Q7a, in what areas/capacity is this currently being used?
N/A.
8b. Similarly if yes to Adult Social Services?
N/A.
9. If yes to Q8, is this via an external commission /and who?
N/A.
10. If currently not actively researching or using any artificial intelligence / learning software in relation to Social Services Departments (Children’s or Adults), does your Local Authority anticipate that they will be looking to explore such technology and innovations in the near future?
Yes.
11. Would your Local Authority ever consider acting as a pilot Local Authority with such technology and specifically linked to your Social Services Department?
No.
12a. What was the initial cost for you to buy your current data recording system for Children Social Services?
Devon County Council does not hold this information.
12b. Is this the case regarding Adult Social Services too?
Devon County Council does not hold this information.
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?
This information is exempt from disclosure under Section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Commercial Interests)
Devon County Council can confirm the requested information is held; however, it’s disclosure would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of the Council. This is because sharing this information could jeopardise our ability as a purchasing authority to achieve best value for money as well as potentially being used by a competitor when pricing specific elements for future procurements.
The Council has considered the public interest in releasing this information and recognises there is a public interest in openness and transparency. However, there is a stronger public interest in ensuring best value for money for the taxpayer so the maximum amount of money can be spent on services for the people of Devon. Furthermore, bidders would be less likely to bid if they know detailed pricing could be released impacting the competitive process as well as the competitor adjusting their price accordingly.
Therefore, the balance of public interest weighs in favour of withholding this information from disclosure.
For information, we have provided the fixed annual payment below:
2025/26: Fixed Annual Payment £627,252.43 pa
2026/27: Fixed Annual Payment £627,252.43 pa
2027/28: Fixed Annual Payment £627,252.43 pa
14a. How long have you used your current data recording system for Children Social Services?
Since March 2002.
14b. Is this the case regarding Adult Social Services too?
Yes.
15a. How long are you contracted to use your current Children’s Social Services data recording system?
Current arrangement expires in March 2028.
15b. Is this the case regarding Adult Social Services too?
Yes.