BASW’s 2025 Highlights!
January
The BASW Independents Digital Toolkit launched in December 2024, ready to support BASW Independent members in the new year. The toolkit provides our members with the knowledge, resources, and guidance needed to navigate the complexities of running a business in the social work sector.
February
BASW secures our first big win on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at Westminster. Our calls for a multi-disciplinary approach to be embedded in the legislation is accepted. We then won an amendment that extended legal protections to social workers who choose to opt out of the process.
March
We ran a number of events across all four UK nations to celebrate World Social Work Month. This included BASW’s Cymru’s in person conference in Cardiff and our UK Student Conference. We also launched our practice guidance on Artificial Intelligence in Social Work and the BASW Northern Ireland campaign for fairer student bursaries in partnership with SWU.
April
BASW’s Amazing Social Workers campaign, which spotlights the achievements of social workers and students across the UK, concludes following its biggest year yet! We share hundreds of stories of great social work practice happening around the country, helping to showcase the importance of social work in our communities.
May
BASW’s campaign to abolish the National Age Assessment Board hits new heights, with the issue being raised at Westminster on multiple occasions. This leads to new amendments tabled to the government’s Immigration Bill. While these were not accepted, we have increased awareness of the campaign, enabling us to build more cross-sector support.
June
Always a highlight in the calendar, this year BASW annual UK Conference took place in Manchester, where we welcomed delegates from across the profession to a packed programme. We were delighted to be joined by Minister for Children and Families, Janet Daby MP who delivered a keynote speech on the opening day, and we once again hosted the BASW Journalism Awards and presented the British Journal of Social Work Kay McDougall Prize.
July
BASW is called to give evidence at a Public Hearing of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry for the first time. During the module on adult social care, we advocate for the role of social work to be listened to by governments in future national emergencies. We’re later called to give evidence again on module eight on children and young people.
August
It’s time to celebrate! We mark five years since the establishment of the Black & Ethnic Minority Professionals Symposium and the Social Work Professional Support Service. Both have been positive additions to our member benefits. BASW England also host their annual summer celebration event for members!
September
All our lobbying of Ministers to implement the Liberty Protection Safeguards scheme in England and Wales appears to pay off as the government announces a consultation on the proposals in 2026. It follows months of wider campaigning for improvements to the Mental Health Bill, as BASW and ADASS help bring about important changes to the legislation.
October
BASW and SWU formally launch at Westminster our joint campaign – Stronger Social Work, Better Lives – aiming to improve working conditions for social work. We speak to a number of MPs and Peers to get their support. We also host a similar event at the Welsh Parliament. BASW England hold their annual conference, including a session on our new Shades of Bias practice resources.
November
SASW hold their annual conference with the theme of activism and action in social work. They also deliver a petition with over 1360 signatures to the Scottish Government as part of their ‘One Deal for Social Work’ campaign, calling for national terms and conditions to be implemented. At Westminster, we celebrate the government's decision to scrap the two child limit, following years of campaigning.
December
BASW’s Big Conversation launches as we look ahead to the future. We want to hear from everyone involved in the UK social work landscape to help build a modern professional association that meets all your needs. The first part of our Big Conversation starts on Monday, 8 December - watch this space!
