BASW England responds to latest update from Review of Children's Social Care

BASW England has carefully considered the document released by the Review of Children's Social Care this week, which is a summary of feedback received on its Case for Change report, published in June 2021.

We are keenly aware of the implications of this report, and what this could mean for the sector. We will be working closely with social workers, social work educators, colleagues in related professions, adults and children with lived experience and their advocates to ensure their voices are represented in the subsequent stages of the Review.

The latest document released by the Review does not change our previous positioning. We maintain and stand by our previous messaging, which is clearly outlined in both our 10 key priority areas for the review and the BASW England policy statement on the Independent Review of children’s social care.

We were concerned and disappointed that, despite our repeated calls for a transparent approach, the document did not make clear the extent to which each organisation that responded was reflected. We add our voice to the calls for each submission to be made publicly available.

We fully support and echo Article 39’s response and will continue to back their #KeepCaringTo18 campaign, as well as their ongoing efforts to ensure children’s human rights are fully upheld in all forms.

It is our belief that children’s rights and relationships are not mutually exclusive, and that the Children Act 1989 is the foundation upon which children can thrive – these must be at the very heart of the review.