Our Scans · (ZY.4.25) Social Work · Weekly Summary

• [New] WORKFORCE Mental health takes center stage: CEOs elevate it above gender equality and work conditions A worldwide priority: CEOs across the US, Europe, and Japan rank mental health as one of the top three social issues they will prioritize in 2026. The Conference Board
• [New] Around 2.1 billion people will be working in the informal sector in 2026, with limited access to social protection, rights at work, and job security. UN News
• [New] Nearly 300 million workers continue to live in extreme poverty, earning less than US$3 a day, while informality is rising, with 2.1 billion workers expected to hold informal jobs by 2026, with limited access to social protection, rights at work, and job security. International Labour Organization
• [New] The Trump administration plans to freeze $10 billion in funding for child care subsidies, social services, and cash support for low-income families in five Democratic-led states. Just Security
• [New] $635.2 million over three years, starting in 2026-27, for Employment and Social Development Canada's Student Work Placement Program, supporting an estimated 55,000 work-integrated learning opportunities for post-secondary students in 20226-27. Talent Canaea
• The workforce need for social workers will continue to be strong in 2026, with a call for social workers in areas such as healthcare and mental health care, children and families, school social work, substance use and addiction services, and policy development. Adelphi University
• As whole-person care (the patient-centered integration of healthcare, behavioral health, and social services) continues to be adopted in California and beyond, we will see HIEs and community-based organizations sharing more information in 2026. LANES
• While standard inflation has leveled off, long-term care rate increases in 2026 are projected to range between 4% and 8%, significantly higher than the 2.8% Social Security COLA. SavingAdvice.com Blog
• Social Security work rules will change in 2026, letting people earn more before benefits are cut. Economic Times
• In 2026, health and social care will lean more heavily into predictive workforce analytics and will seek AI models grounded in real operational data as leaders take action to deliver transformation, including change demanded by national policies, such as the 10 year health plan. Digital Health
• Starting in 2026, significant updates to Social Security rules will affect how Americans can work while receiving benefits. SWC NEWS
• In 2026, technology-enabled care will complete its shift from a peripheral innovation to core infrastructure in health and social care. Med-Tech Insights
• Both attackers and defenders are expected to more heavily utilise agentic AI to carry out their work, Google Threat Intelligence said, with cybercriminals also expected to accelerate the use of highly manipulative AI-enabled social engineering in 2026. Information Age
• Transitional measures announced by Cooper to smooth over the cancellation of social care visas, by allowing employers to hire staff who arrived in the UK by another route, are due to expire in 2028. The Guardian
• With two-thirds of social media marketers already collaborating closely with their customer care and commerce teams, the lines separating customer touchpoints will continue to blur in 2026. MarTech Cube - Marketing Technology news and Martech In
• States will end up subsidizing emergency room care and other services for people who end up uninsured, as well as responding to other financial strains caused by cuts to health, education and social programs imposed by the Trump administration and Congress. Guttmacher Institute
• TrustX offers an assurance pathway that reduces risk for NHS and social care organizations adopting Agentic AI across clinical and operational pathways. UKAuthority
• As Canada moves closer to the UK model, where social prescriptions are applied to all ages as part of their comprehensive Universal Personalized Care program, the economic incentives will keep pace with the benefits to individuals. alumni UBC
• In Minnesota, Rochester Public Schools will lose $1.9 million reserved for tuition assistance to train diverse social work candidates. Becker's Behavioral Health
• By 2026, 25% of people will spend at least one hour per day in the metaverse for work, shopping, education, social interaction, or entertainment. Devsu

Last updated: 22 January 2026