Getting to know you....meet BASW's new Chair!

BASW’s newly elected chair Priscilla Kurewa said she wants the association to be “unmistakably member-led” and more strongly focused on workforce issues.

Kurewa, who speaks extensively about her goals and ambitions in September's Professional Social Work Magazine, said BASW should be “something social workers feel – not just an organisation they know exists”.

That means speaking out on workloads and working conditions, influencing decision-makers and strengthening the support offered to members, she said.

Kurewa, who has worked in a range of frontline and management roles, added: “I want the social worker carrying a heavy caseload in Birmingham, Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow – wherever – to actually know what BASW is doing for them, and to feel that their professional body understands their reality.

“I want to reconnect the boardroom with the frontline. I also want to find again some of that courage that inspired me all those years ago – speaking clearly on social justice, inequality, human rights, and fighting just as hard for the profession itself.”

"A Stronger, More United, More Influential BASW"

Ultimately, she says she wants a “stronger, more united, more influential BASW” and for the association to be respected public voice of the profession.

Her previous role with the Social Work Benevolent Trust has shaped her passion for supporting social workers: “It brought me face-to-face with something uncomfortable – that social workers themselves can be going through financial hardship, workplace struggles, real personal pressure, all while being expected to support some of the most vulnerable people in society.

“That stayed with me. You cannot talk about brilliant services without talking about the wellbeing of the people actually delivering them.”

Kurewa takes over from Julia Ross as chair at a time of significant change for BASW. 

The association has just undergone a major restructure that includes the creation of new roles. The restructure aims to realise membership feedback from The Big Conversation and reach a target of 50 per cent membership growth by 2030. 

Interim chief executive Samantha Baron said: “Over the last year, we have listened extensively to our members, stakeholders and importantly social workers who are not members of BASW. 

“They have told us loud and clear that we needed to change and as a result, we have restructured and developed new roles to ensure we meet the ambitions of our members and are a thriving organisation fit for the future.

“Ultimately, this is about us becoming the organisation members told us they want BASW to be via The Big Conversation. To deliver this we need to have the right operational structure in place. 

“We will soon be announcing our strategy to achieve a bold vision for the future and look forward to working with our new chair to achieve this.”

Baron added: “We are determined to deliver these ambitions and make BASW a bigger and stronger association for all members.  To be the professional association for all social workers.”

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The full interview with Priscilla will be available in September's edition of Professional Social Work Magazine.