Fault Lines: Navigating Ethics and Responsible AI Where National Policy Meets Local Practice in Public Sector Transformation

The paper discusses the challenges and opportunities in implementing responsible AI practices within the UK public sector, particularly focusing on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Through thematic analysis of interviews with stakeholders, it identifies five key challenges: data privacy risks, asymmetrical market-government relations, workforce readiness, lack of standardization, and gaps in accountability. The findings underscore the need for national policy reforms and improvements in local governance structures to effectively navigate the ethical implications of AI in public service delivery.