BASW Cymru's very own Prof Sam Baron will be one of our keynote speakers at our Tomorrow’s World Annual Conference in Cardiff, 19 March 2025 and will also keep the conference on track throughout the day!
About Professor Baron
Samantha (Sam) Baron, Emeritus Professor in Social Work has considerable experience as a social worker, having qualified almost 40 years ago. Initially practicing within the criminal justice system then moving to work in statutory mental health services as Head of Service, before joining academia, where she was fortunate to be Professor of Social Work at Manchester Metropolitan University and The Open University. As a knowledge exchange Professor, Sam was a key advisor to DHSC in establishing the social work regulator (England), confidential advisor to the Chief Social Worker, advising on the policy-practice -evidence interface, in addition to the establishment of structures and processes necessary for practice excellence. As Chair of the Joint University Council, Sam regularly advised Whitehall and Westminster through informal mechanisms, calls for evidence and provision of evidence at All Party Groups and Select Committees. Sam is also the author of DHSC Practice Framework for Strengths Based Practice.
After leaving academia Sam returned to practice as Director of Quality & Improvement, for a local authority, focusing on supporting practitioners and developing practice models.
As a Non-Executive Director and, latterly as an Officer, Sam was also involved in the development of integrated teams and systems within Integrated Care Boards and Partnerships working at a system and practice level.
Sam is now relishing her role as National Director, BASW Cymru, having joined the organisation in October 2023. Building upon previous work undertaken in Wales, when at the Open University, Sam is excited to further the work of social work collaboratively and in partnership with members all our stakeholders across Wales.
