BASW England Branch Blog: Diana Harris

The chair of the Coventry & Warwickshire Branch shares her experience of branch participation as an Independent Social Worker

I have been involved with my local BASW Coventry & Warwickshire Branch since it’s launch at the end of 2018.  Having worked as an Independent Social Worker for two years I realised I was losing contact with other social workers and recognised that BASW could help me to address this. 

As well as attending training and events I volunteered as Coventry & Warwickshire Branch Secretary and helped to arrange key speakers and events on issues like No Recourse to Public Funds,  I’ve been a member of the Immigration, Asylum and Trafficking Special Interest Group where I experienced presenting a motion for the first time at the AGM in Belfast, which was fantastic, and I am always making new contacts.  I was preparing to start an independent social workers group in Coventry & Warwickshire before Covid hit and have put this on hold for the moment, but do intend to get it up and running when possible. 

The Branch has evolved to meet needs during Covid with meetings switching to virtual and that has been another learning curve for most of us.  Our Branch Chair stepped down and I’ve recently been elected into the role which is bringing more new experiences and learning opportunities. 

We recently submitted motions for the AGM in September and I am looking forward to being involved in presenting these with the rest of the Committee Team in the hope of bringing about real change and improvements in areas that affect disadvantaged and marginalised people and our own working practices and conditions.  We’re lucky to have a very diverse and talented Committee Team with a range of practice experiences from students coming into the profession to a Social Work Lecturer and much much more and warmly welcome anybody that wants to join. 

I would recommend getting involved with your local branch, or even setting up a branch if it doesn’t exist, as it really does increase contacts, confidence and learning opportunities, which of course count towards you CPD.  

Stay safe and well.   

Diana Harris, Independent Social Worker; BASW Coventry & Warwickshire Branch Chair

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