In this week’s episode of Ctrl + Care, Michelle and Katieexplore disruption in health and social care and its real world impact.

From the Ada Lovelace Institute’s report on AI transcriptionin social work to the UK’s £1.6 billion AI strategy, they unpack the opportunities, risks and ethical questions shaping digital adoption. The conversation also looks at what happens when systems fail and why resilience in care is about continuity and confidence, not just cybersecurity.

Plus, a new live debate series tackling tough digitaldilemmas and a hopeful “cyber squirrel” story to round things off.

All the latest in digital care, in under 30 minutes.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Control Plus Care
01:57 Ada Lovelace Institute AI in Social Care
05:42 Professional Judgment and AI Tools
08:50 UKRI's Strategic AI Framework
11:25 Difficult Conversations in Social Care - Webinar Series
14:42 Family Confidence in Care Services
17:46 Log My Care research: Home What shapes family confidence in care?22:29 Cyber Squirrels: games improve lives

Links

Ada Lovelace Institute warns of AI transcription risks insocial work
https://www.ukauthority.com/articles/ada-lovelace-warns-of-ai-transcription-risks-in-social-work

UKRI AI Strategy: Bold choices on where the UK can leadthe worldhttps://www.ukri.org/news/ukri-ai-strategy-makes-bold-choices-where-uk-can-lead-the-world/

UKRI Artificial Intelligence Research and InnovationStrategic Framework
https://online.flippingbook.com/view/124423065/38/

What shapes family confidence in care? (Log my Careresearch feature)https://online.flippingbook.com/view/124423065/38/

SpecialEffect feature – BBC Newshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9wng99nl05o

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin – Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Remarkable_Life_of_Ibelin

Difficult Conversations in Social Care – Webinar Series

Difficult conversations: People’s right to privacy vs home sensors - Digital Care Hub

In this week’s episode of Control + Care, Michelle and Katie unpack the latest in digital care all in under 30 minutes. From online safety and protecting vulnerable adults and children, to the incredible insights from the Centrificare Impact Report on unpaid carers and digital dashboards, we explore how tech, data, and care intersect. Plus, Michelle and Katie share a “cyber squirrel” story highlighting tech combating wildlife trafficking in Africa proving that innovation isn’t just for humans!

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

03:18 Online Safety and Social Media Regulations

11:51 Cybersecurity Threats in Public Services

17:52 Digital Transformation and Inequality

23:48 Wildlife Trafficking and Technology Solutions

Links:Starmer pledges crackdown on social media

BBC News article:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-66795317

Centre for Care overview:
https://centreforcare.ac.uk

Interactive unpaid carer dashboard:
https://centreforcare.ac.uk/uuc-dashboard/

UKAuthority article on Russian-aligned hacktivist threats:
https://www.ukauthority.com/articles/ncsc-warns-of-ongoing-russian-aligned-hacktivist-cyber-threats/

NIHR Journals Library article:
https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/nihr-reports/adhca

Care Management Matters report:
https://www.caremanagementmatters.co.uk

Article by Nora Colton (Global Business School for Health, UCL):
https://www.gbsh.ac.uk/news/nhs-digital-transformation-inequalities

18 Year Olds Don't Dance Anymore - End of Hedonism?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czed9321l37o

ICO Report on Childrens Right to Delete Internet Data

https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/childrens-information/children-and-the-uk-gdpr/how-does-the-right-to-erasure-apply-to-children/

This week on CTRL + Care, Michelle is joined by guest host DamonHabbin from Lincolnshire Care Association for a data deep dive into the digital tensions shaping health and social care.

They explore growing concerns around data sovereignty, asEuropean governments rethink their reliance on US tech platforms, and what that means for trust in public services. The conversation looks at AI ambition versus data readiness, and why poor quality, siloed data could hardwire biasinto systems if the foundations are not right.

Damon shares insights from his work supporting providerswith cyber security and the DSPT, including why getting the basics right still matters more than ever.

We have a tech-for-good Cyber Squirrel from CambridgeUniversity, where visitors can chat to AI powered plants, a playful reminder that technology can spark curiosity and connection, not just efficiency.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Digital Care Updates
02:14 Data Privacy and Geopolitical Concerns
05:56 The Role of Trust in Data Management
10:48 The Importance of Data Readiness for AI
18:23 Challenges of Implementing AI in Public Services
24:47 Leadership Changes in Digital Health
28:10 Damon's Insights on Social Care and Technology

Links:

• Zoom/Teams European data considerations
  https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/europe-zoom-teams-france-us-b2913584.html
• What sort of data nation does the UK want to be?
  https://www.ukauthority.com/articles/what-sort-of-data-nation-does-the-uk-want-to-be
• Making government datasets ready for AI
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/making-government-datasets-ready-for-ai/guidelines-and-best-practices-for-making-government-datasets-ready-for-ai
• NHSE chief steps down
  https://www.hsj.co.uk/technology-and-innovation/nhse-digital-chief-steps-down/7041018.article
• Cyber Squirrel – AI plants chat
  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4grgd7d8dpo

This week on CTRL + Care, Michelle is joined byLewis Stewart from techUK while Katie’s away, for a fast-paced rundown of the digital care stories shaping the sector.

They discuss a new report on the future of social care and why data, standards, and interoperability are still holdingprogress back. The conversation also explores ADASS’s new AI playbook, cutting through the hype to focus on responsible, people-centred use of AI thatsupports care rather than replacing it.

Lewis shares what techUK is working on in adultsocial care, including the challenge of scaling innovation and bringing providers and suppliers together. The episode ends with a Cyber Squirrels story on accessible tech in a deaf-run café, showing how digital can enable inclusionand connection.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Digital Care and Tech UK

02:58 The Importance of Data and Digital Infrastructure in Social Care

06:06 AI in Social Care: Opportunities and Ethical Considerations

08:52 The Role of AI Playbook in Enhancing Care Quality

12:01 Lessons from Birmingham City Council's IT Failure

14:55 Interview with Lewis Stewart: Insights on Social Care

18:05 The Future of Technology in Social Care

21:11 Closing Thoughts and Cyber Squirrel Segment

Links:

• SCIE report on raising national standards incare
  
• 
  WM ADASS AI playbook
• Oracle – Birmingham latest
  
• 
  Deaf run café London
  

This week on CTRL + Care, Michelle is joined by Vic Rayner CEO of the National Care Forum while Katie’s away, for a quick tour of the digital care stories that matter right now.

They cover rising cyber risks for public services, why AI chatbots are now seen as a major safety concern, and what this means for social care teams using new tech at pace. There’s also a deep dive into why social care data is still the missing piece in integrated systems, and how better use of data could unlock better outcomes.

Vic also shares what NCF is working on, from care technologists to Liverpool as a testbed for innovation, before the episode ends with a hopeful Cyber Squirrels story on maternity robots and tech for good.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:50 NCSC notice on pro-Russian hacktivists

03:06 ECRI 10 tech hazards - AI chatbots for health

09:06 Overcoming the social care data barrier

14:53 Vic Rayner Interview - What is your role at NCF

17:48 NCF championing care technologist work - why it matters

24:14 What should care leaders be paying attention to?

27:12 Cyber Squirrels - Maternity robot

Links:

• Pro-Russian hacktivists continue to target UK organisations
• ECRI 10 tech hazards - AI chatbots for health
• Overcoming the social care data barrier
• Cyber Squirrels - Maternity robot

This week on CTRL + Care, Michelle and Katie are back with a bumper episode after last week’s tech issues, covering the biggest digital care stories from the past fortnight.

They explore the government’s new cyber action plan, the latest updates on the NHS 10-year plan, and the growing risks and realities of AI in health and care. There’s also a look at new attempts to bring order to ambient voice tech.

And to end on a lighter note, Cyber Squirrels returns with Lego’s smart bricks and a care home putting a Traitors-style spin on activities.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction to Control Plus Care

03:01 UK Government's Cyber Action Plan

14:05 Updates on the NHS 10-Year Health Plan

15:56 Concerns Over ChatGPT Health Launch

21:05 The Future of AI in Healthcare

21:47 The Unfolding of AI Regulations

23:20 NHS Registry and Ambient Voice Technology

26:01 The Future of Domestic Robots

28:27 The 10-Year Plan Impact Statement

33:20 Challenges in Healthcare Technology Implementation

35:34 Cyber Squirrels: Creative Innovations in Care Activities

Links:

• Government Cyber Action Plan – GOV.UK
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-cyber-action-plan

• Government Cyber Action Plan overview – GOV.UK
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/roadmap-for-a-modern-digital-government

• UK government injects £210M into cybersecurity overhaul – The Register
  https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/uk_cybersecurity_overhaul/

• OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health to review your medical records – BBC News
  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-67834562

• New registry launched to tackle ‘Wild West’ IT market – Health Service Journal
  https://www.hsj.co.uk/technology-and-innovation/new-registry-launched-to-tackle-wild-west-it-market/7036118.article

• Is this the year domestic robots come into our homes? – BBC News
  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-67902143

• DHSC publishes impact statement on the 10-Year Plan – Health Tech News
  https://htn.co.uk/2025/01/09/dhsc-publishes-impact-statement-on-10-year-plan/

• Lego unveils tech-filled Smart Bricks – BBC News
  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-67891234

• Stourbridge care home set for own live action Traitors game – BBC News
  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-67876543

This week on CTRL + Care, Michelle and Katie are back for the first episode of 2026, easing into the new year with a look at what’s coming up for digital health and social care.

They talk AI predictions, workforce challenges and why cyber security still needs to catch up as the sector adopts more tech, plus what leadership and culture have to do with making it all work.

There’s also a tough but important conversation about online safety and the misuse of generative AI, before turning back to social care to explore why pooled budgets and joined-up commissioning really matter, and what new data tells us about where care staff actually go when they leave.

And, to finish on a positive note, Cybersquirrels returns with a genuinely hopeful tech-for-good story to start the year on a lighter note.

Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome Back and New Year Reflections
04:42 Predictions for 2026: Tech and Workforce Challenges
09:21 The Dark Side of AI: Online Safety Concerns
13:39 Integrating Health and Social Care Budgets
19:07 Debunking Myths: Care Work vs. Retail Jobs
23:25 Innovations in Eco-Friendly Technology

Links:

• 
  EXCLUSIVE: Care leaders give their predictions for 2026
• Ofcom asks X about reports its Grok AI makes sexualised images of children - BBC News
• Social services and NHS leaders call for pooled budgets and joint commissioning in 2026 - Care Home Management
• Do supermarket openings reduce care home staffing? | Institute for Fiscal Studies
• New Eco-Friendly Tech Eliminates ‘Forever Chemicals’ With Record-Breaking Speed–And it’s Reusable

This week on CTRL + Care, we explore what it really takes to trust AI in health and social care, from the launch of TrustX Health and its plans to validate safe, agentic AI, to why autonomy, governance and accountability matter more than ever.

We unpack a new safety report on electronic patient record systems and how poor design, implementation and oversight can lead to missed or delayed care, just as digital social care records become the norm across the sector.

And we’re joined by Ben Pumphrey, Legal Director at Anthony Collins, to reflect on a big year for cyber and data, what the Data Use and Access Act means for social care, the risks people overlook when using AI, and the key cyber and data trends to watch in 2026.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Guest Co-Host Introduction

1:31 Xmas holiday updates

02:46 Exploring TrustX and Agentic AI in Health Care

06:07 Electronic Patient Records: Safety and Implementation Challenges

09:17 Introducing Ben Pumphrey Legal Director for Anthony Collins

10:10 Key reflections on cyber + data news

14:32 Data use and access act

19:27 Shared care records from a data perspective

23:28 Big Cyber and data trends expected in 2026

28:02 Cyber Squirrels: The Joy of Tracking Santa

Links:

Health and care research bodies launch TrustX initiative for safe agentic AI

Report links risk of harm linked to electronic patient record systems