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.
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.
Join the Black Country Branch for an evening of poetry, spoken word, and flash fiction from the Blakenhall Writers, inspired and instigated by the adversity and demands facing modern social work.
Next meeting of the CSW SIG is on Tuesday 12th May 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).
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.
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.
10.15 - Dr Charlotte Scott & Dr Lace Jackson: Breaking the Circuit: Critically Reflecting on Models of Leadership within Social Work
Lunch
1pm - Hannah Jobling: Shades of Bias
2pm - Jack Skinner: Leadership styles
3pm - Short reflection with Hiede Coates, and go home by 4pm!
Refreshments: Note that tea/coffee is provided, but please bring your own lunch. You can order savoury food at ‘Cookies’, the nearest cafe, and various other cafes at the University.
The BASW Children and Families group are hosting this session, which focus on improving fairness, communication, and participation in the family courts. We will explore:
• What procedural justice looks like in family court practice
• How legal–lay communication affects engagement and outcomes
• Key insights from Dr Grieshofer’s research
• Practical reflections for social work and frontline practice
• Explore what you can do to support this new initiative
This event will provide an opportunity for Independent members to learn about BASW UK activities, your membership benefits, advice and representation and how you can access CPD, be involved in our campaigns and consultations, research, and policy work.
Your Professional Association connects you with other Independent social workers working in diverse settings across different nations and at different stages of career pathways.
BASW is hosting a webinar to mark the 15th anniversary of the first airing of BBC Panorama’s shocking investigation into abuse at Winterbourne View on Monday 1 June.
The webinar will explore what has and hasn’t changed in policy and practice in the last 15 years and hear about the work of the BASW England-supported Homes not Hospitals campaign.
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.