BASW membership for independent social workers.
Along with standard BASW membership, self-employed independent social workers can opt into one of our two enhanced independent membership packages to support your independent practice.
- Independent Basic
- Independent Plus
Includes
- £5 million professional indemnity insurance cover applicable (included within a general working category of membership)
- Plus package includes £5 million public liability cover and £10 million professional indemnity insurance.
- Get listed in our specialist directory to attract work
- Access professional development to specifically support your social work business including networking events
BASW independent basic membership benefits below:
Independent Basic member benefits
Professional Indemnity Insurance.
All working categories of membership include £5 million professional indemnity cover. This is applicable to self-employed practice.
Get listed in our directory
If you’re a specialist, get listed in our directory to attract work.
Ranked #1 on Google, BASW’s Independents Directory is a public resource for clients to find the right self-employed social work professionals.
Download BASW Independent Social Work logo
Show your professional status by using the BASW Independent Social Work logo to promote your work.
BASW: The Code of Ethics for Social Work Addendum
In recognition of the unique characteristics of independent social work practice, please find BASW's Code of Ethics for Social Work Addendum - Additional guidance for Independent Social Workers.
This should inform your practice alongside the ethical and practical principles outlined in the broader Code of Ethics.
The Addendum sets out important ethical principles to guide self-employed social workers in areas including running a business, employing others and practising independently.
Save on your membership subscription
Claim tax relief on your membership subscriptions.
Sole-traders may claim this through their Self Assessment tax return. Members working within a Limited Company or other business structure may submit this claim through their accountant. Please be aware BASW is listed as Social Workers British Association of on the HMRC website.
@ibasw email address
Get an @ibasw forwarding email address to brand your self-employed services with your professional membership. Emails are directed to your nominated inbox where they can be managed within your existing email provider service.
Why use an ibasw.uk address?
- Offers a direct link between your social work business and your subscription to the professional body for social workers within the UK
- Employs BASW's established, trusted brand.
- Provides an identifiable, recognised email extension unlike the transient addresses given by webmail providers or your broadband provider
Make professional links with other social workers through local networks
Belong to a UK wide network of 4000+ independent social workers or connect in your area. Our networks bring together self-employed social work professionals, practice assessors, trainers and educators.
Independents virtual local networks
BASW runs independent networks in the following areas:
- UK - All Independent Members welcome
- UK - Independent Fostering Assessors
- UK - Independent Practice Educators
- Cymru
- Northern Ireland
Find and register with a network within our events listing here.
Connect online.
Join the conversation in the BASW Independents private Facebook discussion group (from your Facebook account, search 'BASW Independents Discussion Group' and provide your membership number when requested) and the BASW Independents LinkedIn group.
Access CPD and professional resources.
Sign-up to free and discounted events to meet your CPD regulatory requirements and keep ahead of updates in your sector.
Receive BASW updates for Independent Members.
As an independent member you will hear the latest insight, updates and resources for independent social workers direct to your inbox.
Independents digital toolkit
Access to resources that are specifically crafted to empower and support independent social work members on their journey to thriving in their businesses.
The digital toolkit is tailored to BASW independent members to support them to establish and grow their businesses. It will provide independents with the knowledge, resources, and guidance needed to navigate the complexities of running a business in the social work sector whether considering self-employment, setting up a limited company, or exploring other business models. The toolkit will be launched later in the year.
Independent Plus Benefits
Access enhanced member benefits:
Independent Plus member benefits
£10m professional indemnity insurance and £5m public liability insurance
- £5 million public liability insurance cover designed for self-employed social work professionals
- £10 million enhanced professional indemnity insurance.
Independents Secure Messaging Service
Members who subscribe to the Independents Plus package are welcome to request a Secure Messaging Service account which are subject to availability.
The @baswindependent.co.uk address provides an opportunity to brand your social work business with your professional membership whilst building client confidence and recognising your commitment to social work professional ethics. It also ensures your business and client data is secure which is an important aspect in running a robust social work business.
This email address provides a robust and secure email delivery service protecting you when sending sensitive information in today’s fast-changing security and risk environment.
Accessible through a web browser interface, and including a 5gb mailbox, this service is provided through BASW in partnership with Hushmail.
Find out more and request your secure messaging service here.
| Benefits | Basic | Plus |
|---|---|---|
| £5 million Professional Indemnity Insurance | Yes | X |
| £10 million Professional Indemnity Insurance | X | Yes |
| £5 million Public Liability Insurance | X | Yes |
| Secure messaging service to send encrypted messages | X | Yes |
| Get listed in the BASW Independents Directory | Yes | Yes |
| Forwarding ibasw email address | Yes | Yes |
| Professional links and networks | Yes | Yes |
| BASW Independents Logo to show your status | Yes | Yes |
| Independent updates, information, insight and resources | Yes | Yes |
| Discounted learning and professional development | Yes | Yes |
| Connect online | Yes | Yes |
