There have been a number of high profile reviews, report and inquiries into child sexual abuse which have highlighted the dearth of knowledge, skills and confidence of the social care workforce in identifying and responding to child sexual abuse. This is unsurprising: For decades, many social workers have received no formal training on child sexual abuse either pre- or post-qualifying, leaving them without the knowledge and resources they need to safeguard and support children and their families.
Join us for our annual UK Social Work Conference for 2026: Social Work Live - Practice & Careers 2026, taking place at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.
Our theme this year is "What works in social work: Real Practice, Real Impact."
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 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
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.
This session will explore deprivation of liberty, including the definition as changed by the recent Supreme Court ruling set down in June 2026. This will explore how a deprivation of liberty may occur for children and young people in different contexts and settings, including those under 16 and those aged 16 and 17. It will explore the link between the Mental Capacity Act and Children Acts alongside possible legal routes to authorise a deprivation of liberty.
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.
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.
Attachment theory is widely taught in social work – yet much of what circulates is outdated, irrelevant or overextended. This session cuts through the noise. Drawing on the latest research and the realities of frontline practice, it identifies which attachment concepts genuinely add value to child and family social work, and which are best set aside. Designed to meet you wherever you are in your understanding and use, the session will either strengthen your existing approach with evidence you can cite, or offer concrete ideas to refine it.
Entry to this online event is FREE for SWU members and voting facilities will be provided during the meeting.
When booking your free place: at the Payment Method section please select "Credit Card" and you will be given the option to sign up to the event for free. If you need support registering for this event please contact joanne.marciano@swu-union.org.uk.
Registration deadline: SWU members must register by 12pm (noon) on Thursday November 26th to attend this AGM.