BASW Independents Local Networks provide an excellent opportunity to build professional links with other self-employed social workers in your area. These meetings are currently virtual and held on MS Teams.
This group meets on the 3rd Friday of every month. BASW Independents Local Networks provide a space to create and nurture valuable professional links with other self-employed social workers in your region.
These informal meetings are fully member-led and supported centrally by BASW, with the opportunity to share hot topics and collaborate on wider activities.
There is a new Government, a new national social work agency, and a new social work partnership now leading the development of change for Scottish social work. SASW and our members have a vital role to play in shaping the future of the profession. We are a key member of the Scottish Social Work Partnership (SSWP) Advisory Group. As the only independent voice for social work in Scotland, SASW will remain at the forefront of scrutinising and engaging with their work as it develops.
The idea for this group has organically grown from the BASW Independent Social Worker online FaceBook group, where people have been reaching out within the forum to share information, seek advice and guidance. Showing the need for a platform to discuss the positives and the issues impacting the fostering world. The responses have been very heartfelt and demonstrate the necessity of having a community support group, with a common theme of fostering assessments and the evolution of this work.
The panel is jointly run by the Scottish Association of Social Work, the Office of the Chief Social Work Adviser, and Social Work Scotland. The panel was created to bring together experienced frontline workers, newly qualified workers, students and policy makers in Government to address the issues affecting social work today. It is an opportunity to influence those policy makers and the future of social work with your experience and knowledge.
Delivered by the Child Health and Development Group
This free event will share and discuss the findings of the research programme: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services - Referrals and Outcomes for Adolescents and Children with Social Workers.
This online forum is for social workers looking for their first employed social work role in England or for those who are looking to return to the profession after a career break. You may also find the session helpful if you have been in the same role for a long time and are now applying for alternative social work jobs.
The forum will bring you together with a facilitator and a small group of social workers with whom you will have chance to:
> Discuss tips on completing online applications
> Develop confidence in online and face to face interviews
The AGM is an opportunity for us to report back on our work and for members to be involved in decisions about priorities for the future. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend.
The meeting will take place on Thursday 3rd September 2026, commencing at 4.00pm to finish by 7.00pm.
The AGM will be an online event on MS Teams. The link to join the AGM will be sent to you following registration of attendance, and again nearer the date of the AGM itself.
Recent elections across the UK have seen changes to political leadership of councils, often from the long-established political parties to newer administrations led by Reform, the Green Party, Independents, and independents organised around a particular issue such as Palestine. Many councils are now in 'no overall control' (NoC), which creates a shifting political environment.
Politics can feel very polarising right now, and many social workers will have their own views which may or may not align with the views of their employer, causing conflict and uncertainty.
Our aim is to challenge ageism and advocate for more effective social work practice in later life.
Our work includes: • Advocating for social work responses to improve wellbeing through allyship and empowerment • Promoting policy and holistic practice that recognises diversity and intersecting experiences within the ageing population • Promoting social work in later life in education and professional development • Developing and sharing evidence about how social work contributes to positive ageing.
A safe community space for neurodivergent (ND) student social workers, ASYE and newly qualified social workers (NQSW) in the UK.
Meets on the 2nd Tuesday of every month, 6.30pm till 8pm – all students, NQSWs and ASYE social workers who are neurodivergent (no formal diagnosis necessary) are most welcome to come along.
Next meeting of the CSW SIG is on Tuesday 8th September 2026, starting at 6.30pm.
Internationally, Community-based Social Work (CSW) is definitely NOT dead in the water.
Nations facing country-wide disasters know they need to support whole communities. It is time for a revival of our collective understanding about what CSW is and what it can achieve.
If you have an interest in CSW or have ever used CSW skills, join colleagues at this meeting and be part of the BASW Special Interest Group (SIG).
The SASW Independents Symposium offers a dedicated space for independent social workers across Scotland to come together, connect with colleagues, expand professional networks, and engage in meaningful discussion about their role and contribution within the evolving social work landscape.
BASW Independents Local Networks provide an excellent opportunity to build professional links with other self-employed social workers in your area. These meetings are currently virtual and held on MS Teams.
This group meets on the 3rd Friday of every month. BASW Independents Local Networks provide a space to create and nurture valuable professional links with other self-employed social workers in your region.
These informal meetings are fully member-led and supported centrally by BASW, with the opportunity to share hot topics and collaborate on wider activities.
BASW Independents Local Networks provide an excellent opportunity to build professional links with other self-employed social workers in your area. These meetings are currently virtual and held on MS Teams.
This group meets quarterly on the 3rd Thursday of the month.