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 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 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 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.
Next meeting of the CSW SIG is on 10th February 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).
Type of work and clients:
Complaints, Advocacy, Coaching / mentoring of parents (families), Coaching / mentoring of social workers, Compliance, Court assessments, Direct work with families and carers, Family assessment, Supervision, Training and tutoring, Universities / learning & training bodies
Professional registrations:
Social Work England
Skills include:
Writing specialist assessment (Form F, Special Guardianship, Risk, Parenting), training design and delivery, case audits.
Type of work and clients:
Direct work with service users
Professional registrations:
Social Work England
Skills include:
I have experience in searching for birth family members of adopted adults and others over many years. I am proficient in French, German and Italian
Type of work and clients:
Coaching / mentoring of parents (families), Coaching / mentoring of social workers, Court assessments, Direct work with families and carers, Direct work with service users, Expert witness, Family assessment, Government offices, Inspection, Inter-agency working, Local authority departments, Placements, Private / independent sector, Quality assurance, Supervision
Professional registrations:
Social Work England
Skills include:
Dedicated social care leader skilled in safeguarding, complex assessments, court work and QA. Proven in risk management, multi-agency partnership and driving high-quality, child-focused outcomes.
In the Welsh context, self-care, supervision, and support are essential for sustaining ethical, resilient, and effective social work practice. They directly impact practitioner well-being, decision-making quality, and outcomes for individuals and communities. In Wales, self-care, supervision, and support are not luxuries—they are professional responsibilities. They ensure that social workers can deliver ethical, effective, and compassionate care in a complex and demanding environment.
Communication is vital in Welsh social work because it builds trust, enables co-production, and ensures culturally sensitive, rights-based practice—directly improving outcomes for individuals. When communication is clear, inclusive, and empathetic, people are more likely to engage, feel empowered, and receive support that meets their needs. • In Wales, communication is not just a skill—it’s a core intervention. • It affects how individuals experience services, understand their rights, and participate in decisions.