BASW UK summary position statement on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Review date: By 30th July 2022

Statement owner: Policy Ethics and Human Rights Committee

Why are we putting this statement out? 

BASW celebrates the richness and diversity of social workers and the societies we serve across the UK. We recognise that diversity of thought and widening the membership of the social work profession - and BASW - enrich our profession and enable social work to support the needs, expectations and potentials of the diverse communities we serve. For this to be more than words, BASW must be open, relevant and welcoming to social workers of all backgrounds and identities - and a credible leader in the promotion of inclusive social work practice across the UK. Fundamental to this is setting, promoting and embedding common principles of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across all our work. 

This statement commits BASW to challenge oppression, exclusion and discrimination within the association within social work and within social work education. It also commits us to raising social work’s voice, perspectives and influence on issues of EDI and oppression across wider society. This statement lays out common principles for BASW as a UK body. Each nation will also have its own action plan to tackle the challenges and celebrate the distinctive diversity of each society. Our EDI, anti-oppression and universal rights-based commitment laid out in this statement in relation to social work also inform our work to promote human rights and challenge injustice and inequality more widely, across the UK and internationally. An embracing approach to Equality Diversity and Inclusion BASW’s approach to EDI is all embracing, recognising the need for actions against all forms of oppression and breaches of human rights experienced by people of diverse identities and protected characteristics.