The idea for this group has organically grown from the BASW Independent Social Worker online FaceBook group, where people have been reaching out within the forum to share information, seek advice and guidance. Showing the need for a platform to discuss the positives and the issues impacting the fostering world. The responses have been very heartfelt and demonstrate the necessity of having a community support group, with a common theme of fostering assessments and the evolution of this work.
The panel is jointly run by the Scottish Association of Social Work, the Office of the Chief Social Work Adviser, and Social Work Scotland. The panel was created to bring together experienced frontline workers, newly qualified workers, students and policy makers in Government to address the issues affecting social work today. It is an opportunity to influence those policy makers and the future of social work with your experience and knowledge.
The AGM is an opportunity for us to report back on our work and for members to be involved in decisions about priorities for the future. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend.
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 4th June 2025, commencing at 5.00pm to finish by 7.00pm.
The AGM will be an online event on MS Teams. The link to join the AGM will be sent to you following registration of attendance, and again nearer the date of the AGM itself.
Share your experiences of studying or starting your social work career in Scotland as a new graduate - good or bad- with fellow students and NQSWs. Let’s reflect on topics and work on solutions in a supportive informal environment. All welcome!
Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work: The evolution of ethical and moral practice in adoption Social Work
How do Social Workers make ethical decisions within historical and current societal norms?
From the 1950’s forced adoption for unmarried mothers through to Michael Gove’s ‘colour-blind’ reform of adoption guidance in 2012, how have social workers made decisions relating to adoption and how has the evolving moral and ethical context within which we make those decisions changed the way we make those decisions?
Neurodivergent Student, NQ and ASYE social workers A sub-group of the NSW SIG
A safe community space for neurodivergent (ND) student social workers, ASYE and newly qualified social workers (NQSW) in the UK.
Please note that this is a safe space for peer support only, and not for CPD purposes. If you are unsure whether you may join this community, please email Helen Randle on policyadmin@basw.co.uk in the first instance. Many thanks.
This online forum is for NQSWs, social workers looking for their first employed role in England or a change in role and those looking to return to the profession after a career break.
This online forum is for social workers looking for their first employed social work role in England or for those who are looking to return to the profession after a career break. You may also find the session helpful if you have been in the same role for a long time and are now applying for alternative social work jobs.
Centre for Mental Health has explored the role of inpatient services in mental health care, and the range of alternatives that could be developed to reduce reliance on beds. It has also set out a shared vision for mental health services over the next decade and explored a range of inequalities in our mental health care system. This talk will summarise those findings and open up discussion about what the vision for the next decade should look like and how we can get there.
BASW England Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Branch Presents: Through the gate - Collaborative working to build safer lives for women in prison, their families and our communities.
Lyn Shackleton is an Offender Manager, working for the Probation Service in Derbyshire.
BASW Independents Local Networks provide an excellent opportunity to build professional links with other self-employed social workers in your area. These meetings are currently virtual and held on MS Teams.
This group meets quarterly on the 3rd Thursday of the month.
This session will explore some of the challenges facing the sector in accessing Social Work Apprenticeships, focusing on the provision of ‘statutory task social work placements’ (often referred to as ‘Final’ placements), meeting the requirements of Social Work England. Lessons learned will be shared on the successful application of innovative approaches to widening access to Social Work Degree Apprenticeships, delivered at the University of Hertfordshire. Information will be provided on: