BASW Interim CEO, Professor Sam BaronWe want to engage with all our members, future members and key stakeholders who are part of the UK social work landscape.
What is the Big Conversation?
Your opportunity to tell us what you think!
The Big Conversation is about creating safe spaces whereby the social work community can come together to share ideas and views about where we want the profession to be in the next 5-10 years.
It's also about building a modern BASW that is meeting your needs as the largest professional association for social work in the UK. We work for you, with you, side by side.
While we listen all year round, a dedicated initiative such as this is important for stimulating wider discussion. This isn’t just about you talking to us, but also to one and another. And importantly, it's about strengthening our collective voice at a time of change and turbulence for social workers and those we support.
How do you get involved?
There will be multiple ways you can take part between December 2025 and March 2026.
We're kicking off The Big Conversation with a sector-wide survey, giving you a chance to feedback your views anonymously on your experiences in social work and with BASW.
By taking part, you can also opt-in to a prize draw to win up to £100 of M&S vouchers!
Other opportunities to get involved will be announced in January 2026. These include debate forums, use of focus groups, existing BASW groups and networks, and on social media. We'll also be producing resources for you to facilitate your own discussions with colleagues and then feedback to us directly.
And we’ll be rounding it all off with a Big Conversation event taking place in March for World Social Work Month – watch this space!
Our aim is to have collated all your views by Spring 2026, thus allowing us to then launch our five-year plan based on the findings in June. Exciting times ahead!
