Consultation responses

BASW NI responds to consultation responses issued by NI Executive Departments—and where relevant, UK Government Departments—to ensure the views of our members and the interests of the people social workers support are central to the development of government policy and legislation.

The Programme for Government—October 2024

On 5 September 2024 the NI Executive agreed a draft Programme for Government 2024-2027 Our Plan: Doing What Matters Most. 

BASW NI’s response to the draft Programme for Government covers a broad range of issues affecting the social work profession, the individuals, child and families social workers support, and society more widely.

Our response is compiled under the following headings:

  • Reform of Children’s Social Care
  • Better Support for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs
  • The role of social work and social care in cutting health waiting times, and reform and transformation of public services
  • Recruitment and retention of social workers
  • Poverty
  • Mental health services
  • Funding of public services
  • Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
  • Housing 

You can read the response via the download link below.

Safe and Effective Staffing Legislation—October 2024

From 22 July - 14 October 2024 the Department of Health consulted on Safe and Effective Staffing Legislation in Northern Ireland. BASW NI fully supports legislation for safe and effective staffing in social work and has responded to the consultation outlining a series of issues which need to be taken into account in the development of safe staffing models and supporting legislation. 

Read our response via the download link below.

Eligibility for Healthy Start for groups who have no recourse to public funds or are subject to immigration controls—October 2024

The Healthy Start scheme assists families within the scheme with the cost of healthy foods, such as fruit and vegetables, as well as providing access to free Healthy Start vitamins. Healthy Start provides support to pregnant women, mothers and families with at least one child aged under 4 years old.

The UK Department of Health and Social Care consulted for 12 weeks, ending on 23 October 2024 on plans to update the legislation underpinning the Healthy Start scheme, to ensure that beneficiaries of the current non-statutory scheme can receive benefits under the main statutory scheme.

In its response, BASW NI agreed with the proposal that eligibility for Healthy Start should be extended to non-British children under 4 from families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) or who are subject to immigration controls. The Association also agrees that eligibility should be extended to pregnant women with NRPF or who are subject to immigration controls, and mothers with NRPF or who are subject to immigration controls with children under one.

Download the response via the link below.

Consultation on the Department for Communities Budget 2024-25 allocations—September 2024

BASW NI responded to the Department for Communities (DfC) budget Equality Impact Assessment by detailing how the decisions taken will impact levels of poverty in Northern Ireland and affect people who use social work services. It highlights the urgent need for an anti-poverty strategy and the other DfC social inclusion strategies, the implications of the budget on homelessness services and the failure to recognise the impacts of the budget on women from minoritised ethnic backgrounds.

Consultation on the Department of Heath Equality Impact Assessment of the 2024-25 Budget Outcome

The wide range of issues raised in our response to the consultation on the Department of Health budget Equality Impact Assessment include the impacts on social workers as a result of the workforce crisis and the lack of budgetary provision for 2024-25 pay settlements to staff. We highlighted the need for resources to fund additional social work training places beyond the 40 announced by the Minister for Health, and noted the lack of funding to further roll out the Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs) based around GP practices.

Download the full response below.

The Independent Review of Children's Social Care—December 2023

We engaged extensively with members to inform BASW NI’s response to the Department of Health consultation on the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care Services recommendations. The wide ranging Review outlined 53 recommendations for change to address the crisis in children’s social care. It is vital the Department of Health acts urgently upon the recommendations to deliver much needed progress for children and families, and the social workers who support them.

A key aspect of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care Services recommendations was the proposal for the transfer of children’s social care and associated services from the Health and Social Care Trusts to a new Arms Length Body (ALB). The Review also proposed the creation of a NI Executive Minister for Children and Families. Although outlined in detail in the consultation response, we have produced a brief summary of BASW NI’s Position Statement on the proposals for a children’s social care Arms-Length Body & Minister for Children & Families.

  • Download BASW NI’s response to the Department of Health consultation on the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care Services recommendations, and the Association’s position statement on proposals for a children’s social care Arms-Length Body and Minister for Children and Families via the links below.

Reduction and Management of Restrictive Practices in Education Settings—November 2023

  • Read the BASW NI response to the Department of Education consultation on Statutory Guidance on the Reduction and Management of Restrictive Practices in Education Settings in Northern Ireland via the download below.

Department of Health and Department of Justice consultation on the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy 2023 – 2030—April 2023

Among the many issues raised in BASW NI’s response to the consultation is the need for a gendered understanding of domestic abuse noting abuse should be seen within the context of all forms of gender-based violence and violence against women and girls.

We welcome that the strategy includes a focus on prevention of domestic and sexual abuse and stress the need for comprehensive Relationship and Sex Education at schools so young people are informed and empowered to navigate personal relationships.

The response highlights the impacts of cuts to the services which children and families depend upon and stresses the importance of dispelling the misconception that children witness rather than experience domestic abuse. The response also highlights the importance of a trauma informed approach to support victims and survivors of abuse.

Download the full response via the link below.

British Association of Social Workers response to the Department of Health consultation on the Autism Strategy 2023 – 2028—March 2023

As per our BASW Practice Guide ‘Social Work with Autistic People’ the foundational values of social work with autistic children and adults are recognising, appreciating, and promoting the values of neurodiversity. 

Among the various issues raised in our response to the consultation are the unacceptable waiting times for autism assessment and support in children and adult services and that timely access to both diagnostic and autism specific intervention services should be a top priority for the Strategy. The response stresses the need for investment in person centred plans that fit the needs of each individual and that more emphasis on supporting those who care for autistic adults is required.

Download the full response below.

Department of Health consultation on the Future of Muckamore Abbey Hospital—January 2023

BASW NI asserts that policy and strategy for people with learning disabilities and their families in Northern Ireland is in urgent need of update. We are of the view that no person with a learning disability should have to call a hospital their home. It is a false economy not to have the right homes with the right support in place to help people live the dignified and happy lives that they deserve.

Download our full response below.