International Women's Day 2024

Hi! I am Katy Jackson. I am the Vice Chair for the National Standing Committee (BASW England) and have been in this role for a two-year term. I am a Safeguarding Advisor for a Christian charity called Thirtyone:eight and a qualified Social Worker. I joined BASW as a Newly Qualified Social Worker in practice for safety, support, and development as a practitioner. 

I ran for the Vice Chair position to get more involved, believing in the vision and values of BASW and wanting to be involved in supporting and representing our profession. There are so many routes to get involved with BASW and I am constantly in awe of the opportunities across the board for our membership to contribute and be developed. 

Many people have inspired me along the way in my social work journey: colleagues modelling excellence in their practice, those I worked with teaching me the beauty of resilience and empathy and leaders coaching me in the development of my political voice. 

I feel honoured to have worked alongside the National Standing Committee for England, overseeing, and facilitating the amazing work going on across BASW England. I was proud to present a category at the Social Worker of the Year Awards 2023 and inspired to be surrounded by so many incredible practitioners who could be honoured for their contributions. 

BASW has instilled in me that we are all leaders of the profession. My advice is to hold onto this truth and find the space where you can develop your leadership. 

I am delighted to join you to celebrate International Women’s Day which incidentally falls on World Social Work month. Double celebrations! 

I am immensely proud to be a woman in social work.  With a career spanning almost thirty years I have never doubted the decision I took at 18 years of age to join the profession. My career has challenged, educated, and shaped me into a person who seeks justice for others, is empathic and understanding yet feels that I must hold individuals and organisations to account to promote better lives for the people that we serve. 

My career has provided me with the skills to challenge, negotiate and work alongside people. I have worked across disciplines and sectors with many other professionals. I have always ensured that social work receives its rightful place at the table.  As a mum I have encouraged my children to seek justice for all with the skills to speak up, challenge and broker. I value my role as a woman and mum to influence and support my children to stand up for themselves and for others.

I have held practice and senior management positions within children’s services and criminal justice. I have worked in both the voluntary and statutory sectors. I have been lucky that for 7 years I got to transfer my skills and experience to work across the globe in New Zealand, the Middle East and Eastern Europe championing social work and providing guidance and training on best practice. This also allowed me to understand more deeply the role of women and social work in other societies. 

I am an independent social worker holding portfolios in training, independent assessment and consultation, advice guidance and professional supervision. I am privileged and grateful as Chair of BASWNI to take every opportunity to promote my profession and ensure that we are all respected for the work that we do.