Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
While social care is rooted in personal connection and compassion, technology is increasingly proving to be a game-changing tool for those serving communities. The Family Care Authority, for example, harnesses smart data to better understand families’ needs and enhance the efficiency and impact of its services.
The FCA is advancing Abu Dhabi’s vision for future-ready social care by “shaping a proactive, family-centred model of care that is data-driven, technology-enabled and tailored to the community’s needs”, Salama Al Ameemi, Director General of the authority, told Aletihad in an interview.
The authority is among the organisations that participated in the two-day Social Care Forum 2025, which highlighted the role of digital transformation and innovative practices in enhancing quality of life across all stages of society.
During a panel discussion at the forum, Al Ameemi turned the spotlight on the contribution that AI and data can make in delivering smarter care and offering a more comprehensive view of cases, ensuring risk reduction and empowering individuals and families – all in pursuit of a better quality of life for every member of society in the long term.
“We are confidently taking a bold move to empower our social and family care system through AI, enabling smarter case management and a 360-degree view of beneficiaries,” she said during the session.
At the FCA, social workers are equipped with necessary skills to utilise smart data and anticipate the needs of families and communities, Al Ameemi told Aletihad.
“Receiving over 200 cases weekly, the authority is dedicated to building a resilient, skilled workforce capable of delivering integrated and sustainable care across health, education and social sectors,” she added.
Digital technology is also instrumental in linking up sectors to ensure families experience a seamless journey of care.
“Integration is a top priority for Abu Dhabi, and the FCA serves as the coordination arm of the Department of Community Development (DCD) to ensure that services across health, education and social care are joined up.”
This, she added, is achieved through collaboration frameworks, data-sharing, and unified service pathways.
Al Ameemi also highlighted the importance of international partnerships to ensure services and policies are “locally relevant and globally informed”.
“Families do not live in silos and neither can our policies,” she stressed.
The Social Care Forum has served as a key platform for forging such collaborations, with Al Ameemi describing it as “a vital space for knowledge exchange, anticipating future needs, and aligning efforts across the social care sector”.
“This forum is a catalyst – transforming discussions into measurable actions and turning policy aspirations into real, meaningful results that families and communities can feel every day. It is a shared opportunity to inspire change that touches lives and strengthens the bonds that hold our society together,” she said.
Beyond making the most out of the latest technologies, the FCA remains committed to sustaining long-term impact through an agile, forward-looking approach.
“We are embedding sustainability into every layer of our work, from workforce development to policy design. This means creating frameworks that can adapt as society changes, ensuring that families continue to receive support that is relevant, reliable and responsive.”
Strengthening community trust is central to this mission, she added.
“When families feel confident in the services available to them, they are more likely to engage early and stay connected over time. Our commitment is to create a foundation where families are supported not only today, but for generations to come.”
