Overview
Westminster is responsible for UK-wide legislation and policy which has a direct effect on social work practice across the UK. Areas include social justice, Universal Credit, human rights and asylum and immigration.
Westminster is also responsible for social work, health and social care specific legislation and policy in England. Social work, health and social care legislation and policy is devolved for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Other social work related areas- such as justice, mental health, housing and education- are also devolved.
BASW's Voice in Westminster
BASW and SWU seek to influence the UK Government, political parties and politicians in the interests of social work and social workers through five main routes:
Select Committees
Select Committees, made-up of backbench MPs, scrutinise Government legislation and its impact. The key ones for BASW are the Education, Health, Housing Communities & Local Government and Public Accounts Committees.
Members of these committees can issue a call for evidence, question experts, debate an issue and produce a report. Where relevant BASW submits evidence and takes part in Select Committee hearings.
The Legislative Process
BASW scrutinises all relevant legislation as it goes through parliament and seeks to influence relevant Bills being proposed by the government or individual MPs and Peers.
Meeting with Ministers and Shadow Ministers
BASW regularly meets with relevant Government and Shadow Ministers to promote dialogue, inform them where relevant and influence them. This is our opportunity to ensure that the social work profession's voice, experience, expertise and perspective is being heard by policy-makers.
Meetings with Government Ministers are often difficult to secure so these opportunities must be used with maximum effect. Often BASW will write to Ministers to raise specific issues, seek clarity on a matter, ask questions related to legislative decisions or present a case for why the government should make a particular policy decision.
Meetings with individual MPs
A great deal of work-related activity at Parliament (like in any workplace) is carried out informally, which is why BASW has a Public and Political Affairs Officer based in Westminster. This results in frequent conversations with individual MPs and building of relationships.
BASW will often ask MPs to use parliamentary levers at their disposal to raise issues of importance with the government, such as tabling parliamentary questions, lodging motions or submitting topics for debate.
Constituency matters (i.e. issues that relate solely to the local constituency of the MP) are best handled by BASW members speaking or meeting directly with their MP. If you would like a meeting with your MP about a social work issue, BASW's Political Affairs Lead, Kerri Prince can advise on how to make your case. Contact Kerri on kerri.prince@basw.co.uk
Debates in the Commons, Lords, and Westminster Hall
BASW will brief MPs and Peers ahead of parliamentary debates so that social work's voice is being heard on issues relevant to the profession. BASW will also lobby parliamentarians to propose debates on a wide array of matters affecting social work across the UK.
Much of our public-facing activity in parliament gets reported on our news pages. We also promote our work via our various social media channels and with members directly through our e-bulletin.
Often, Professional Social Work (PSW) Magazine and Let's Talk Social Work will cover our work or we will highlight it through our regular blog series, This Week in Westminster.
