BASW UK Student Conference 2025

***Register for your place now!!**

Calling all social work students! We are looking forward to an action packed programme of presentations and workshops. 

Taking place throughout the day into early evening, you can dip in and out of sessions to suit your study / work / life commitments.

Designed by students for students - don't miss out on this opportunity to connect, learn and get support to empower your university journey.

The morning session will be chaired by Tienga Ngale, Newly Qualified Social Worker Westminster City Council, volunteer with Social Work Without Borders and 2024 winner of the Student Social Worker of the Year award in England.Programme includes:

Dynamic panel discussion: Placement Perspectives

Chaired by Tienga Ngale, hear from current students about their experiences while on placement and gain insights and helpful advice. Joined by subject matter experts including Jenni Burton (Practice Educator & Practice Educator Assessor,  Associate Academic Oxford Brookes University, Peer Reviewer Social Work Education, BASW Chair Professional Capabilities & Development Group )

Includes space for delegates to ask questions and share their own experiences with the panel.

Workshop: Looking after YOU first. Tools and techniques to promote your wellbeing and resilience 

Marion Rees – Registered Social Worker & Sophrology Practitioner & Beryl Palmer – Registered Social Worker & Sophrology Practitioner

Let’s face it social work is stressful. You will need to be able to practice good self-care not only for your own well-being but also to be able to give an optimum service to others.

This workshop aims to give you tools and techniques to manage the daily challenges you will face. It is experiential and will involve short, guided practices including gentle body movements, breathing exercises, mental imagery and relaxation. A helpful “takeaway” self-care toolkit.

The session is based on the method of Sophrology which is a fast-expanding wellbeing practice in the UK which helps you to restore balance, with a relaxed body and alert mind. Who doesn’t need that!

Workshop: Stronger Together: Social Workers Union and What Unions Do For Us

Be sure to join for SWU General Secretary John McGowan and SWU National Organiser Jessie Hoskin's session at 12:45pm - 1.15pm. Not only will they be announcing the essay question for the SWU Assignment 2025 competition, but they will also discuss how social work students can get more involved with trade unionism and activism covering free training with the General Federation of Trade Unions, opportunities to be a Union Contact and additional SWU work discussed covering Austerity Action Group, Reflective Supervision and Campaign Action Pack . 

Dynamic panel discussion: From Classroom to Caseload: Navigating the Student -NQSW Journey

Be encouraged and inspired by previous BASW Student Ambassadors who have now moved onto the next steps in their careers. With time to ask questions and discuss your own experiences, gain insights and share helpful advice. 

Keynote: Taking a cross-faculty stand against racism and inequality: “What are enabling and inhibiting factors influencing the placement experiences of Black, Asian, Ethnic Minoritised students in the Schools of Social Work, Education, and Health Sciences?”

Dr Carlene Cornish, Associate Professor and Admissions Director in the School of Social Work at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and Tina Odu, 3rd year Social Work Apprentice at University of East Anglia & BASW Student Ambassador

Most Black, Asian, Ethnic Minoritised students on professional courses face racism on placement (Bernard and Harris, 2019). Our own university’s review of attainment data highlighted differential placement outcomes for students in the Schools of Social Work, Education, and Health Sciences. To investigate, qualitative research was conducted in April to October 2024, using focus groups and interviews with twenty students and nineteen staff (lecturers and placement supervisors from the NHS, County Council, and schools). Thereafter, a symposium was held, and students actively contributed to problem-solving strategies addressing inhibiting factors that jeopardise outcomes. These project findings confirm the painful racialised and oppressive experiences that jeopardise successful placement outcomes for ethnic minoritised students. Equally significant is the fact that the data illustrates the profound need for the university to seriously tackle the broken trust in a reporting system found to be lacking in rigour, accountability, and cultural sensitivity. There is a significant amount of work required, but this project is one of several steppingstones tackling race inequality and promoting greater success for all students. 

Workshop: Applying for your first Social Work role: what works and the pitfalls to avoid

Andrew Reece, Professional Officer with BASW England and Registered Social Worker

So you need support with your social work job applications or interviews? Join us for some tips and support.

This workshop is for BASW members who are seeking support to apply for their first registered social work role, perhaps in an field of social work that is new to them.

The session will cover key tips in finding roles, the application process and the interview process. 

There will be time to explore your specific queries, and we will also provide information about the Professional Support Service who can offer coaching to support your job hunting.

Workshop: Introduction to Coaching in Social Work

Kate Cuthbertson, Coach Supervisor (BASW), Accredited Coach (Registered with the AC), Registered Social Worker, Practice Educator, Best Interest Assessor, Action Learning Set (ALS) recognised facilitator

What is coaching? Why does it differ from supervision, mentoring and therapeutic conversations? Find out how it empowers, and builds strength, skills and resilience in social workers from student, to NQSW and beyond. 

This workshop will share information about why coaching is relevant to social work and how we can develop a coaching culture within the profession, with sharing of relevant research and literature. 

Workshop: Making the most of your induction

Tina Odu,University of East Anglia & & Ami Bryant, Christ Church University. BASW Student Ambassadors

A participative workshop with the aim to build a template/guide to  ensure your needs are met by your employer during your induction, either on placement or an NQSW.

Giving consideration to details of your relevant national standards that you need to achieve from your placement, to ensure your employer is aware and can support.

Programme Timings