Brexit Day: BASW’s statement

Many people across the UK, including many social workers, have arrived from one of the EU 27, and we stand with them to safeguard each other’s human rights and the rights of those we serve. 

Of pressing concern is helping to ensure that no EU citizen resident in the UK misses out on the official settlement scheme. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of eligible people who haven’t even heard of the scheme or who don’t realise that it applies to them.

Social workers working with anyone they think might qualify can signpost individuals towards official legal advice.

Much more detail on steps to take and ways to help will be provided in the next issue of PSW.  There is also a lot of information on the BASW’s Brexit hub.

Children looked-after are particularly at risk of slipping through the net and could find they do not to have access to the required documentation.

Other people that may struggle with the settlement scheme include anyone who might not be able to read and write English, whether for reasons of language barriers or disabilities.

In the next few months BASW’s policy team will be closely monitoring any new legislation that the Government brings forward to replace EU-derived legislation and the accompanying guarantees.

Employment rights and immigration are just two obvious areas for our membership and their service users. 

BASW continues to be opposed to any exit from the European Union that would de-stabilise peace in Northern Ireland and democratic accountability throughout the UK.

Planning for the social care and health workforce must include recognition of the need for EU citizens as part of that workforce.

Our positions and campaigning work are stated in our recent joint statement with the Irish Association of Social Workers.

It is vital that the UK’s exit from the EU must not result in an erosion of human rights currently secured by EU legislation