MPs debate World Social Work Day 2021

• You can watch the debate here.

• You can read the transcript of the debate here.

• If you would like to read a summary of the debate, please see this Twitter thread.

Yesterday (Thursday 18 March), MPs from the Labour Party, Conservative Party and Scottish National Party took part in a Westminster Hall debate on ‘World Social Work Day 2021’. Representing the Opposition was Shadow Minister Liz Kendall MP - and representing the Government was Helen Whately MP, Minister for Care.

BASW worked with David Simmonds MP to secure the debate, as part of our efforts to raise the profile of social work in the Houses of Parliament.

Ahead of the debate, BASW circulated a briefing to MPs about the key issues facing social workers and it was fantastic to hear MPs raise many different points from the briefing.

Issues that were raised by MPs included: the perception of social workers by the public; the misunderstanding that exists around what social workers do; cuts to local authorities having an impact on resources; flexibility in services; working conditions for social workers; shareholders profiting from vulnerable children; the burden of administrative work; working with communities; substance abuse; poverty; mental health; safeguarding; people with learning disabilities and autistic people; social care reform; AMHPs; the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on black and ethnic minority communities, and domestic abuse.

All of these are issues that BASW will continue to campaign on when parliamentary opportunities arise.

BASW will continue to engage with Members of Parliament to raise the issues that matter to social workers and the people that use services.  We will build understanding of the important role of social workers, including awareness of how social workers positively impact people’s day to day lives and to promote positive working conditions for social workers.