BASW Cymru continues to support the student bursary campaign

The MASW Bursary Campaign have written to the Ministers for Health & Social Service and Education calling for a create a greater parity of esteem between
health and social care and to remove barriers to the social care sector. 

BASW Cymru has co-signed the letter to the Ministers along with student social workers from Bangor, Swansea and Cardiff universities and the Social Work Union.

Allison Hulmes, National Director for BASW Cymru said, “We continue to support this inspirational group of social work students in their bursary campaign, a campaign they won’t personally benefit from. Achieving parity of bursary between student social workers and the NHS (Wales) bursary, is the only meaningful way to stop the recruitment crisis in social work and to diversify the workforce. The words ‘parity of esteem’ must translate to something tangible otherwise it’s empty rhetoric. We understand that Social Care Wales has offered up funding options to the Welsh Government, although we have not been offered any clues as to what they are and whether they equal parity with the NHS scheme. Anything short of this, will not be acceptable.” 

 “As students we are thrilled to have the support of BASW Cymru. We believe in educational equality and parity of esteem between health and social care.  We hope Welsh Government can support the sector by taking positive action and improve the circumstances for social worker students in Wales.” The MASW Bursary Campaigners.