BASW members reaffirm support for UK College negotiations

BASW members used the Association’s Annual General Meeting to unanimously reaffirm support for ongoing negotiations with The College of Social Work (TCSW), with the aim of securing a unified UK College of Social Work.

Members endorsed a motion backing BASW Council “in its continuing negotiations with the Transitional Board of TCSW Ltd”, a move that reaffirmed previous support for merger talks offered by members at an Additional General meeting on 1 November 2011.

Speaking after the motion, moved by BASW vice chair Lesley McDowell, was passed, the Association’s chief executive Hilton Dawson said continued progress on unifying the profession through one college was vital. He told delegates to the Birmingham AGM: “We are miles away from having the influence we need across the UK to truly enable social work to change lives. We must arrest the trend to undermine our skills, experience and professionalism. All of this means that it is vital that BASW play a really strong part in the development of a UK College of Social Work.”

Speaking from the floor, David Jones, a key negotiator in the ongoing development talks, urged swifter progress towards uniting the two organisations. “We have talked a lot about squabbles but in reality this has been about principles and key issues. I have found that there is a clear vision for moving forward, but now we need pace and determination; if we need to take a week away from our day jobs to do it, then so be it – now is the time to get things done.”