BASW Council statement on Scottish referendum

On 18 September 2014 people in Scotland were asked ‘Should Scotland be an independent country?’ The answer was 55% ‘No’ and 45 % ‘Yes’. Despite this result, the referendum has been widely recognised as a watershed moment in politics across the British Isles. Nothing it seems will be the same again. Prominent among the issues that were debated in Scotland were those at the heart of what it means to be a democracy - social justice, equality, participation, sustainable development, peace. These issues are also at the heart of ethical social work values and practice and so BASW Council felt it was important not to let this moment go without comment.

For many in Scotland it was a first time vote, and there was 87% participation in the poll. This contrasts to polls as low as 20% in some constituencies in national and local elections. 16 and 17 year olds were given a vote for the first time and took full advantage of this. This level of participation represents a big change in participation in Scottish politics, which looks set to continue as both SNP and Green parties have seen their membership double and more in the week following the referendum.

Engagement in political discussion and activity was very high throughout the last six months of the campaign. SASW took part too, with the Annual Meeting in Edinburgh hosting a very well attended and lively discussion on the impact of the referendum outcome on social work in Scotland. SASW’s meeting was one of many thousands of events across Scotland that saw halls and meeting places packed out. Informal discussion took place everywhere, in coffee shops and on buses. Engagement was also very high on social media, used for promoting events, messages, opinions, and disseminating blogs, live-streamed programmes and podcasts.

Issues close to social work interests were among the most hotly debated. Was Yes or No best for keeping health, welfare benefits and pensions safe? Was greater equality and social justice dependent on a Yes or a No vote?

So, what has all this to do with BASW?

Social workers are daily brought up against the realities of poverty and injustice and the suffering of those bearing the brunt of welfare and public service cuts. There is a promise of more austerity in every country across the UK. Malnutrition is now being found amongst children and food-banks have become a routine if very inadequate safety net. BASW is supporting the ‘Britain needs a Pay Rise’ anti-austerity protests in London, Belfast and in Glasgow on 18 October.

Across every country, in tandem with the call for an end to the growing inequality, there is also an evident desire for a stronger voice for those affected by the decisions of the powerful. Devolution means loss of power for the centre, and greater involvement and say for those closest to the issues in making the decisions. Is this not an important question and opportunity for us all? We feel that the Scottish referendum raises important opportunities and questions for all of us and want to engage our members in discussing and acting on these.

Here are some of the questions:

1. How best should we respond to and support the reinvigoration of democracy that has been so evident in Scotland? What would this mean to you – as a social worker? as an agency? within local government? the third sector? within the private sector?

2. Within BASW, is there a need for greater devolution? Should we be aiming for a more federal devolved structure? What are the strengths in unity? What are the issues that unite us?

The Policy, Ethics and Human Rights Committee (PEHR) had a lively discussion about its future work and propose to identify ethics and human rights issues that are common to all countries in membership. We want to hear from members in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – How can we capture the spirit of the Scottish referendum in making our voice stronger, our communication with and learning from each other more effective and our voice for social work more effective?

Please send your comments to policyadmin@basw.co.uk.

The next meeting of the PEHR Committee is on 11 November. Comments before then will be especially welcome.