Business Spotlight: The Social Work Way

The Social Work Way is a Wales-based digital platform built to support social workers and safeguarding professionals on the frontline. Created by social workers, the platform provides practical tools that streamline complex processes and support effective, person-centred practice, freeing up more time for professionals to focus on the people and communities they serve.

After rejoining GlobalWelsh’s for Business Programme in October 2025 to accelerate growth and access mentoring opportunities, we caught up with founder and CEO Matthew Davies to learn more about the journey behind the platform, its impact on the sector, and what’s next…

Can you start by telling us about The Social Work Way and why you started it?

I’ve been a frontline social worker for nearly 20 years, and one of the biggest challenges has always been the administrative burden. Social workers spend a huge amount of time navigating complex systems, duplicating information across platforms, and managing paperwork that pulls them away from direct practice.

The Social Work Way began with the aim of simplifying tasks for social workers. It’s a very demanding and stressful profession, so anything that could save time, improve wellbeing, or reduce the complexity of case recording was a huge motivator. In 2022, I had the idea of developing a social work app to help address these issues.

Who was the app originally designed for, and how has that evolved?

The app was initially created for social workers, but it quickly expanded to include support workers, students, and those in management roles. More recently, it has evolved to support anyone involved in safeguarding, including foster carers and looked-after children.

The focus of the app is on simplifying complex workflows such as managing referrals and case recording. This helps professionals spend more time supporting families and communities, and less time on administrative tasks.

Can you explain in more detail how the app works?

The app has multiple functions designed to support social workers and families in the community. For example, referral forms, such as those for domestic abuse services, can be completed collaboratively by the social worker and family during a visit and submitted instantly. This removes the need for returning to the office, printing, scanning, or chasing signatures.

By cutting out repeated admin and reducing back-office processing time, the app helps professionals stay up to date with their recording while spending less time on paperwork.

Alongside referrals, the app includes wellbeing tools, downloadable resources, AI-supported transcription for meetings and visits, and an insights section covering legislation and practice updates, all designed to support both efficiency and professional development.

How is the app being used by foster carers and local authorities?

Foster carers are required to submit daily recordings, and the app allows them to do this quickly and easily. A paid pilot is currently running with Foster Wales, offering all 22 local authorities the opportunity to trial the app. A significant number of authorities have already taken it up, which has been extremely positive!

Do you have an example that shows the impact of the platform?

One experienced social worker who promoted the app on BBC Cymru shared that, since using it, she has never felt so up to date with her case notes. That was a defining moment for us.

Feedback from local authorities and foster carers shows that social workers save around 45 minutes per form, while foster carers save approximately 30 minutes per submission.

With nearly 5,000 forms now submitted through the app, this equates to thousands of hours returned to frontline practice. Time that would otherwise have been spent on repetitive administration is now being reinvested where it matters most. In real terms, that means thousands of additional hours supporting families, safeguarding children and strengthening communities.

What has been your biggest milestone or achievement to date?

Being recognised at the European Social Services Awards in Portugal was a major milestone for us, where we were finalists for the Digital Transformation Award. While we didn’t take home the award, being shortlisted alongside so many innovative projects in social work technology was a significant achievement.

On a personal level, I was honoured to receive the Rising Star in Wales Technology award at the Wales Technology Awards and to be recognised as Technology Entrepreneur of the Year at the South Wales Business Awards, as well as being shortlisted for several other entrepreneurship awards. These recognitions were unexpected but incredibly validating, and they reinforced the impact of the work we’re doing.

Why did you join GlobalWelsh, and what made you renew your membership?

Investment opportunities were a key reason, but I was also drawn to the Welsh business community GlobalWelsh has created. Long-term, I’d like to be in a position to support new Welsh businesses, particularly from my local area.

There are so many strong businesses in Wales, but access to support and investment can be challenging. GlobalWelsh offers a platform that genuinely helps address that, which is why I was excited to rejoin.

What’s next for The Social Work Way?

Growth remains a key focus, both in expanding adoption and continuing to enhance the platform’s development. We are embedding AI more thoughtfully into workflows to further reduce administrative duplication and improve the quality and speed of recording. This includes strengthening transcription tools, refining form automation, and developing smarter recording features that support accurate documentation without increasing workload.

The goal is not to replace professional judgement, but to build intelligent tools that work alongside practitioners by simplifying processes, reducing pressure and giving time back to frontline practice.

Alongside product growth, we are building a team that shares our “tech for good” ethos. A personal priority is creating employment opportunities for young people with care experience, bringing them into the development and operation of the platform and opening meaningful pathways into technology and digital careers.

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