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.
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.
Age assessment is a legally complex and ethically significant area of social work practice involving important safeguarding, welfare and human rights considerations. This foundation session introduces practitioners to the legal and policy framework governing age assessment in the Uk, the principles of Merton-compliant practice, and the key stages of the assessment process.
Many social workers practicing in the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VSCE) sector do not work alongside other social workers and may not have an opportunity to reflect on their practice with other Social Workers using social work frameworks.
The purpose of this Support Forum is to have a safe, positive, solution focussed and confidential space for social workers employed in the VSCE sector to meet their peers, provide support to each other and to discuss and explore issues that arise.
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.
This session explores the application of the Mental Health Act (MHA) to children and young people. It will provide an overview of The Act in relation to children and young people and any age related criteria. The session will examine the relationship between the nearest relative and parental responsibility, and critically consider the scope and limits of parental control. The session will address capacity and competence, including Gillick principles. Relevant case law shaping application will be highlighted.
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
This session provides an opportunity to learn, discuss and reflect with peers. It highlights the evidence from research, practice experience and lived experience about what social work offers to older people and their networks, what this looks like in practice, and where you can make a positive difference. It builds skills, knowledge and values, including those related to assessment and support, therapeutic, advocacy, coordination and safeguarding roles.