Membership FAQs

You can join BASW by completing our online application form. It’s useful to have your work contact details (if currently working), registration number (if a qualified social worker) and bank details (if opting for Direct Debit), or a Debit / Credit Card at hand

BASW membership covers you for every stage of your social work career - from student to retirement and everything in between.

Staying with BASW means you will benefit from discounted rates in membership. Take a look at our membership types for more details on the benefits of BASW membership.

BASW Membership is available to qualified social workers, or students studying for a recognised social work qualification in the UK

Visit our events page where you can browse upcoming dates. Once you have selected an event, click the book now button to register. You can get a code to access a designated taster session for free by signing up to our mailing list

BASW’s Professional Support Service offers peer-to-peer support for all social workers and social work students in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

The service provides coaching by experienced social workers aimed at helping you develop in your career and identify ways forward through the challenges you encounter in your work. It is free and confidential, designed by and for social workers. Throughout the process you will be able to access up to three video or telephone sessions with a trained volunteer coach. 

All our coaches are experienced social workers who understand the challenges faced by the social work community. 

To register as a social worker in one of the UK nations, contact the relevant regulatory body or visit their website for information

• England - Social Work England - registration information here
• Wales – Social Care Wales - registration information here
• Northern Ireland – Northern Ireland Social Care Council - registration information here
• Scotland – Scottish Social Services Council - registration information here

You can search BASW’s Directory of Independent Social Workers here

Full details on renewing your BASW membership can be found here

First, log into your BASW member account, then visit our events page where you can browse upcoming dates. Once you have selected an event, click the book now button to register.

If you are logging in for the first time since 1st August 2024 please use the following steps:

1. Go to the portal https://myportal-basw.co.uk/ 
2. Click 'Login'
3. Click 'Forgot your password'
4. Enter your e-mail address
5. Click 'Send verification code'
6. Enter the verification code received via e-mail and click 'Verify Code'
7. Click 'Continue'
8. Set a password for your account
9. Click 'Continue'
10. Your password has been set and you should be logged into your account.

You can view our membership categories on our membership pages . For any changes, contact our membership team here

First, log into your BASW member account from BASW’s home page and navigate to the member home by clicking this link or selecting ‘member home’ from the blue toolbar, then selecting ‘my events’

First, log into your BASW member account, selecting my member services, then my professional development. Click the pink ‘add professional development’ button to record your CPD

The BASW Advice and Representation team are a team of qualified social workers who provide specialist professional and regulatory help. Check out our Advice and Representation web pages.

It is always advisable to get in touch with us early with any concerns – the earlier you get in touch the sooner we can support you.

Your current insurance certificate is available by logging into our members portal and selecting “Member Services”.  From here you can download a copy of your current insurance certificate.  Should you require an accompanying BASW membership confirmation letter, please contact the membership team here.

Working Category of BASW membership will provide you with up to £5 million Professional Indemnity coverage.

For those requiring and opting into our enhanced Independents package, Independents Plus, this will provide you with up to £5 million Public Liability coverage.  Note that the Independents Plus package is an additional cost to your basic BASW membership costs.  Find out more about Independent membership here.

Click here to access information on your BASW insurance.

To register as a social worker in one of the UK nations, contact the relevant regulatory body or visit their website for information

• England - Social Work England - registration information here
• Wales – Social Care Wales - registration information here
• Northern Ireland – Northern Ireland Social Care Council - registration information here
• Scotland – Scottish Social Services Council - registration information here

Find out more about BASW groups and networks and how to get involved.

Membership fees can be paid monthly or annually via Direct Debit or you can opt to pay for a full year's membership via a credit or debit card.  Our monthly direct debits are collected on the 15th of each month, or the following Monday should this date fall at the weekend.  At present, you cannot select an alternative debit date.

Find out renewal information here. 

Please contact the membership team here or by calling 0121 622 8401

For data protection and security reasons we urge members not to provide any bank details via e mail.  If you need to update your details, please contact the team.

For those existing members reaching retirement, we do have other membership options, including one for retired members and people who are not in remunerative employment.

*Eligibility conditions apply.

BASW’s Professional Support Service offers peer-to-peer confidential support for all social workers and social work students who are BASW members UK wide. 

The service provides coaching by experienced social workers aimed at helping you develop in your career and identify ways forward through the challenges you encounter in your work. It is free and confidential, designed by and for social workers. 

Throughout the process you will be able to access up to three video or telephone sessions with a trained volunteer coach. All our coaches are experienced social workers who understand the challenges faced by the social work community. 

Visit our Independent member web page to find out full details. Current BASW members that subscribe to either the Independents Basic or Plus enhanced packages may submit their details to the public online Directory. Find out more here including how to submit a listing.  

Members that subscribe to either the Independents Basic or Plus package may request the use of a dedicated forwarding email address - firstname.surname@ibasw.uk. Find out more here (log-in required)

Members that subscribe to the Independents Plus package are eligible to request a Secure Messaging Service account. Find out more here (log-in required).

Members within a working category who subscribe to either the Independents Basic or Independents Plus enhanced package can use the BASW Independents Logo as part of your professional branding to identify your membership with the British Association of Social Workers. Find out more here (log-in required)

It is possible to apply for a DBS check through a third party organisation. To view the full list of DBS umbrella bodies, please visit https://www.gov.uk/find-dbs-umbrella-body. Many Independents find that if a check is required as part of a contractual arrangement, they are able to secure a check with their client such as a local authority or agency.

Once you do secure a new check, BASW encourages members to subscribe to the update service https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service.