BASW's social media policy
As a professional body across the UK, BASW has developed a policy to support members to use social media appropriately and ensure practice is based on the BASW Code of Ethics.
BASW recognises the opportunities and challenges social media presents for social workers in their practice and the possible risks both for social workers and people that use social work services, particularly young people or other vulnerable people. The policy may need to be updated as the dynamic nature of social media evolves, but the particular principles of the Code of Ethics will remain the same and will be referenced in the policy by an accompanying number in brackets.
BASW encourages the positive uses of social media for networking, communication and developing inclusive practice.
First published 2018. Updated 2025. British Association of Social Workers (2025) BASW Policy: Social Media. Birmingham: BASW