The BASW England adult social work group meet regularly in connection with activities relating to policy, practice and education specific to adult social work. Activity focuses on the impact and implications for social work with adults and includes responding to key consultations linked to legislation: The Care Act (2014) The Health and Care Act (2022) are two such examples. Lobbying on issues, raising the profile and voice of social work with adults through media activity and creating resources to support practice.
The group have collaboratively developed policy positions, good practice guides, capability statements and continuing professional development pathways for social work with adults alongside podcast episodes and a range of online webinars.
The adult group are keen to ensure diversity in representation at meetings and across the work of the group. The current membership of the group includes practitioners, social workers in leadership and management roles and those who are retired but have a passion and keen interest in adult social work. There is positive involvement from people with lived experience which is a real strength in terms of a collective voice and contribution.
Email liz.howard@basw.co.uk for more information about how to get involved.
Resources Produced by the Group:
An Ethical Approach to Meeting Needs in Adult Social Care | BASW England Policy Document
How the BASW Code of Ethics can help social workers to improve application of the Care Act to decisions about resource allocation
This policy outlines how social workers can use the BASW Code of Ethics for Social Work to assert their professional judgement where there are concerns that financial pressures are leading to unjust decisions, and the needs of people who require care and support being unmet and under-met.
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Response to the Review of Integrated Care Systems | BASW England
In January 2023 BASW England responded to the Hewitt Review call for evidence into the oversight, governance and accountability of integrated care systems (ICSs).
The review covered ICSs in England and the NHS targets and priorities for which integrated care boards (ICBs) are accountable, including those set out in the government’s mandate to NHS England.
The BASW England submission contains key messages and points based on feedback from BASW members and family carers response.
Summary of BASW England key points raised in response to the Hewitt Review: An independent review of integrated care systems.
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BASW England endorses NICE in calling for the recording of potential unmet need
Guideline NG216 NG216 Social work with adults experiencing complex needs on social work with adults experiencing complex needs was amended in January 2023 “to better align with the Care Act and clarify social worker and local authority responsibilities in relation to meeting eligible needs”. BASW England was instrumental in securing this recent amendment which is about addressing potential unmet need.
The guideline is described as covering “the planning, delivery and review of social work interventions for adults who have complex needs” and makes reference to the application of the Care Act in relation to needs assessment, risk assessment and care planning. This guideline is welcome and provides helpful guidance for social workers in terms of professional judgement and evidence based practice: See full statement BASW England endorses NICE in calling for the recording of potential unmet need
Hospital Discharge Sub-group
Background
The BASW England Hospital Discharge Subgroup was set up as a sub-group of the BASW England adult social work group in 2022 in response to a call from members to have the opportunity to dedicate more time this area of practice.
Context
This related to the pace of change and potential marginalisation of social work through changes in legislation at that time (Health and care Act 2022) and policy: the wholescale roll out of discharge to assess as a model for hospital discharge.
Resources
Three key documents that have been produced by the sub-group which contain recommendations as to what is needed to support and recognise the valuable difference social workers make as part of multi-disciplinary teams.
These resources can be downloaded and utilised by social workers to champion and the vital contribution social workers make in hospital and to hospital discharge.
- An Evaluation Report containing recommendations in response to a member survey
- A Top Tips Resource for a Personalised Hospital Discharge
- A response to Hospital Discharge Guidance issued in February 2024
(see resources below)
The sub-group has now stood down.
If there are any members wishing to express an interest in this area of social work practice, then please get in touch via england@basw.co.uk
Hospital discharge and community support guidance - GOV.UK - February 2024
The following response by the Hospital discharge sub-group to the Hospital discharge and community support guidance - GOV.UK - February 2024 is a discussion paper, highlighting key messages and recommendations based on the guidance reinforcing the value and importance of social work within hospital settings and hospital discharge.
The response also includes a positive example of social work in hospital- shared by a BASW member.
An Ethical Approach to Meeting Needs in Adult Social Care | BASW England Policy Document
How the BASW Code of Ethics can help social workers to improve application of the Care Act to decisions about resource allocation
This policy outlines how social workers can use the BASW Code of Ethics for Social Work to assert their professional judgement where there are concerns that financial pressures are leading to unjust decisions, and the needs of people who require care and support being unmet and under-met.
Response to the Review of Integrated Care Systems | BASW England
In January 2023 BASW England responded to the Hewitt Review call for evidence into the oversight, governance and accountability of integrated care systems (ICSs).
The review covered ICSs in England and the NHS targets and priorities for which integrated care boards (ICBs) are accountable, including those set out in the government’s mandate to NHS England.
The BASW England submission contains key messages and points based on feedback from BASW members and family carers response.
The BASW England response to the Review call for evidence (Hewitt Review of Integrated care Systems)
BASW England endorses NICE in calling for the recording of potential unmet need
Guideline NG216 NG216 Social work with adults experiencing complex needs on social work with adults experiencing complex needs was amended in January 2023 “to better align with the Care Act and clarify social worker and local authority responsibilities in relation to meeting eligible needs”. BASW England was instrumental in securing this recent amendment which is about addressing potential unmet need.
The guideline is described as covering “the planning, delivery and review of social work interventions for adults who have complex needs” and makes reference to the application of the Care Act in relation to needs assessment, risk assessment and care planning. This guideline is welcome and provides helpful guidance for social workers in terms of professional judgement and evidence based practice: See full statement BASW England endorses NICE in calling for the recording of potential unmet need