Why Everyone in Social Care Needs Tessa Tools

The Reality of Modern Social Work

Social work training emphasises person-centred, relationship-based practice. In reality, practitioners spend around 60 per cent of their time on administrative tasks. Years of austerity have increased our caseloads while cutting resources. The reality of working under this pressure leads to burnout very quickly for professionals. The gap is crucial to understanding Tessa Tools' motivations.

From Practitioner to Innovator

During my frontline practice in adult social care, I saw this  disconnect first-hand. Completing complex Care Act assessments, safeguarding enquiries, and quality assurance audits, I recognised that the main barrier to innovation was not technology but workforce capability. This realisation prompted my transition from practitioner to innovator, guiding my work and research into ethical AI adoption and organisational transformation in adult social care.

Bridging Research and Practice

My work explores how AI can support, rather than replace, professional judgement in social care. Building on these insights, I developed transparent, GDPR-compliant frameworks, including TESSA Core™, CLARITY, and AEBN to address the gap in digital literacy and structured AI training.

The Workforce Capability Challenge

Through policy development, CPD delivery, and frontline quality assurance work, I identified a consistent pattern: digital confidence and AI literacy, not access to technology, determine whether innovation succeeds. These findings shaped the direction of my consultancy, which focuses on closing this capability gap through practitioner-led training, transparent AI systems, and frameworks aligned with the BASW and SWE.

Building Ethical AI Infrastructure

Tessa Tools was founded because the sector desperately needs a solution tailored to the real challenges professionals face daily. With over 15 years of first-hand social care experience, I understand the frustration, burnout, and barriers that traditional approaches have failed to address. Tessa Tools is not just another consultancy; it’s a vital resource that empowers social care teams to overcome administrative overload, build digital confidence, and adopt ethical AI with clarity and trust. Our approach bridges the gap between practitioner insight and real-world organisational needs, ensuring every client receives practical, actionable support that transforms their work, not just their paperwork.

The Path Forward

The future of social care depends on organisations that can adapt to rapid technological change without losing sight of what matters: people. Tessa Tools equips local authorities and care providers with the skills, confidence, and ethical frameworks they need to thrive in the AI era. By choosing Tessa Tools, you’re not just investing in training; you’re investing in your team’s well-being, your organisation’s resilience, and the continued excellence of social work. Join the movement to put people, not paperwork, at the heart of social care innovation.