BASW welcomes new co-chairs of All-Party Parliamentary Group for Social Work

David Simmonds MP and Barbara Keeley MP have today been elected as Co-Chairs of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Social Work (APPG).

As part of our parliamentary engagement, BASW UK acts as the Secretariat for the APPG for Social Work, which is a cross-party group in the UK Parliament giving a voice to social workers and the conditions in which they work.

Until recently, the group was Chaired by Alex Cunningham MP and we thank Alex for his hard work over the past few years.

David and Barbara have strong records on social work. David previously chaired the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board from 2011-15, and now is a member of the Education Select Committee. A local authority Councillor in Hillingdon, he is also known for his work on the resettlement of refugee children.

Barbara was formerly the Shadow Cabinet Minister for Mental Health and Social Care and currently sits on the Health and Social Care Select Committee. Prior to entering Parliament, Barbara was a cabinet member for Children and Young People and Health and Wellbeing on Trafford Council. Their joint experience in social work gives the APPG a strong start in looking at the key issues facing the sector.