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.
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