Skip to main content
Home
Menu Close

Utility menu

  • Why join BASW
  • Events
  • Media Centre

Popular on BASW

Campaigning and influencing
World social work day
Social work stands against poverty
People with lived experience
Career stages
Cost of living crisis

Main navigation

  • About social work
    • What is social work?
    • Topics in social work
    • Professional Social Work (PSW) Magazine
  • Careers
    • Become a social worker
    • Returning to social work
    • For employers
    • Specialisms
    • Career stages
    • Jobs board
    • Work for BASW
  • About BASW
    • Campaigning and influencing
    • Governance
    • Social work around the UK
    • Awards
    • Social work conferences UK
    • International Work
    • Feedback, suggestions & complaints
  • Training & CPD
    • Professional Development
    • Professional Capabilities Framework
    • Let's Talk Social Work Podcast
  • Policy & Practice
    • Resources
    • National policies
    • Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
    • Working with...
    • Research and knowledge
    • Standards
  • Support
    • Advice & representation
    • Social Workers Union (SWU)
    • Social Work Professional Support Service (SWPSS)
    • Independent social workers
    • Student Hub
    • Financial support
    • Groups and networks
    • Membership renewals
    • How to contact us

Celebrating Social Work Conferences | BASW Cymru & Social Care Wales

BASW Cymru were delighted to collaborate with Social Care Wales on ‘Celebrating Social Work’ - two conferences held in Cardiff and Llandudno in late October and early November 2023.
BASW Cymru Conference

Social workers, social work students, those with living experience, voluntary agencies and universities attended to help us celebrate and connect with one another once again. Both conferences provided practitioners the opportunity to connect with one another and students the valuable opportunity to further ignite their passion for social work. 

Delyth (BASW Cymru National Standing Committee member, see below in pink) welcomed delegates to the Cardiff Conference and chaired what was a fantastic celebratory event for us all. Our newly appointed National Director, Professor Sam Baron introduced herself (see below) and impressed the key central role social work has in all our lives. 

BASW Cymru Conference

Both events delivered a strong message that social work is a valued profession. Welsh Government – Chief Social Care Officer, Albert Heany and Deputy Minister Julie Morgan (see below) shared their recognition of the challenges of the role and shared their gratitude for all whose who work to support individuals in crisis, particularly during the current societal challenges we face in society.

BASW Cymru Conference
BASW Cymru Conference

The conferences highlighted our practice methodology and commitment to strengths-based approaches being used in practice across Wales. 

This was an opportunity to share the positive impact of social work as an inclusive profession and strengthen existing connected communities whilst inviting and creating new connections.

Hope and pride were key themes which came across on the day.

Abyd Quinn-Aziz (Academic and BASW Cymru member) chaired the panel discussion at both events commented, ‘Throughout the days we heard inspiring and positive talks, reminding us to appreciate our profession and our work. We also focused on why we do this work and the values such as social justice that underpin our work, where we act with and for people marginalised by society’. See Abyd in action below.

BASW Cymru Conference

Andrew Pennington (Senior Practitioner and Co-Chair of BASW Cymru’s National Standing Committee) was a panel member for the Llandudno Conference (see below, third from the right).

BASW Cymru Conference

Rhoda Emlyn Jones shared her ongoing passion for social work and inspired delegates to continue to be proud of their profession. 

BASW Cymru Conference

The workshops were well attended and highlighted the importance of co-production and fully understanding the individuals we work with. 

Wellbeing was a central message throughout both conferences. Particularly how practitioners wellbeing can be better supported, including the development of compassionate leadership. 

Rebecca Cicero, the Improvement and Development Manager for Adults (Social Care Wales) ran a workshop with Taryn Stephens called ‘Compassionate Leadership and why it matters’ and commented that ‘…for me, in my workshop, it was a brilliant opportunity to hear from social workers around compassionate leadership – what is working and what needs to happen more. People said in their feedback it would be helpful to see what ‘role-modelling’ compassionate leadership looked like. There were also some examples of good supervision and the recognition that good supervision is valued. The value of allowing people to spend time together and build relationships was mentioned, as well as the need for wider organisational support. There was also a suggestion that there needs to be a network to allow people to share ideas and practice.’

Social Care Wales and BASW Cymru are committed to supporting organisations to creating safe working environments which are continuously improving and supports health and well-being. The Social Care Wale’s Wellbeing Framework is a good follow up tool following the conferences. It highlights the range of resources and support available for social work professionals to support them to practice effectively and maintain their personal and professional wellbeing. Please see both links for further support for social workers in Wales BASW Cymru Social Work Professional Support Service (SWPSS) and Canopi.

BASW Cymru welcomed many longstanding and new members to the conference. Narinder Sidhu (Professional Officer) shared details of our support service for social workers with Dr Bolanle John Emaim who was inspired to hear about our work. Please note that our BASW Cymru Social Work Professional Support Service (SWPSS) is open to all social workers in Wales regardless whether you are a member of BASW Cymru. 

BASW Cymru Conference

Sarah McCarty, the Director of Improvement and Development (Social Care Wales) closed both conferences with a positive celebratory message recognising the importance of social workers feeling valued reminding me of the many superpowers that we possess as social workers. 

BASW Cymru Conference
Article type
News
Topic
Professional development and practice
Date
24 November 2023

Join us for amazing benefits

Become a member

Have a question?

Contact us

BASW: By your side, every step of the way

British Association of Social Workers is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England. 

Company number: 00982041

Wellesley House, 37 Waterloo Street, 
Birmingham, B2 5PP
+44 (0) 121 622 3911

Contact us

Follow us

Copyright ©2023 British Association of Social Workers | Site by Agile Collective | Privacy Policy

  • About social work
    • What is social work?
      • What social workers do
      • People with lived experience
      • Regulators & professional registration
      • World Social Work Day
    • Topics in social work
    • Professional Social Work (PSW) Magazine
      • Digital editions
      • Guidance for contributors
      • PSW articles
      • Advertising
  • Careers
    • Become a social worker
    • Returning to social work
    • For employers
    • Specialisms
    • Career stages
      • Self-Employed Social Workers
        • Your tax affairs working through umbrella service companies
      • Agency and locum social work
    • Jobs board
    • Work for BASW
      • BASW Council vacancies
      • Finance & Organisational Development Committee members
  • About BASW
    • Campaigning and influencing
      • Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Social Work
      • BASW in Westminster
      • General Election 2024
      • Relationship-based practice
      • Social Work Stands Against Poverty
      • This Week in Westminster | Blog Series
      • UK Covid Inquiry
      • Professional working conditions
      • Housing & Homelessness
    • Governance
      • BASW AGM and general meetings
        • 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
        • BASW GM 2025
        • Previous BASW AGMs
      • BASW Council
        • BASW Council biographies
        • BASW Council voting 2025
        • Vacancies on Council and committees 2025
      • Staff
      • Committees
      • BASW and SWU
      • Our history
      • 50 years
      • Special interest, thematic groups and experts
      • Nations
    • Social work around the UK
      • BASW Cymru
        • BASW Cymru Annual Conference 2024
        • Campaigns
      • BASW England
        • Campaigns
          • Homes Not Hospitals
          • Social Work in Disasters
          • 80-20 campaign
          • Review of Children’s Social Care
        • Meet the Team
          • BASW England Welcome Events
        • Our Services
          • Mentoring Service | BASW England
        • Social Work England
      • BASW Northern Ireland
        • About Us
        • Consultation responses
        • Find out about the BASW NI National Standing Committee
        • Political engagement
        • BASW NI & IASW's associate membership
        • BASW NI and Queen’s University Belfast launch affiliate membership
      • SASW (BASW in Scotland)
        • About Us
        • Mental Health Officer's Conference 2025
        • Our Work
          • Cross-Party Group on Social Work (Scotland)
          • Social Work Policy Panel
          • Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
          • Supporting refugees
          • Campaigns
        • Coalitions & Partnerships
        • Get Involved
    • Awards
      • Amazing Social Workers
        • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 1
        • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 2
        • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 3
        • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 4
        • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 5
      • The BASW Social Work Journalism Awards
    • Social work conferences UK
      • BASW UK Student Conference 2025
      • Social work conference programme
      • The UK Social Work Conference 2025
        • Tickets and booking
        • Programme
        • Online programme
        • Speakers
        • BASW UK conference poster exhibition
        • Exhibitors
        • Venue and travel
        • Programme
    • International Work
      • Israel and Palestine/Gaza conflict | BASW/SWU Information Hub
      • IFSW and other international social work organisations
      • Influencing social work policy in the Commonwealth
      • Invasion of Ukraine | BASW Information Hub
    • Feedback, suggestions & complaints
  • Training & CPD
    • Professional Development
      • General Taught Skills Programme
      • Student Learning
      • Newly Qualified Social Worker Programme
      • Practice Educator & Assessor Programme
      • Stepping Stones Programme
      • Expert Insight Series
      • Social Work in Disasters online training
        • Module 1: Introduction to Social Work in Disasters (Online training)
        • Module 2: Law, Policy and Best Practice (Social Work In Disasters Training)
        • Module 3: Person-centred and research informed practice within a multi-agency context (Social Work in Disasters Online Training)
        • Module 4: Responding, using theory and self-care (Social Work in Disasters Online Training)
      • Overseas Qualified Social Worker (OQSW) Programme
    • Professional Capabilities Framework
      • About the PCF
      • Point of entry to training
      • Readiness for practice
      • End of first placement
      • End of last placement
      • Newly qualified social worker (ASYE level)
      • Social worker
      • Experienced social worker
      • Advanced social worker
      • Strategic social worker
    • Let's Talk Social Work Podcast
  • Policy & Practice
    • Resources
    • National policies
    • Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
    • Working with...
      • Older people
        • Learning resources
        • Useful resources to support social work capabilities with older people
      • Autistic people
        • An introduction to the Capability Statement
        • Capabilities Statement and CPD Pathway: Resources
          • Autistic adults toolkit
            • Autistic adults toolkit introduction
            • Feedback tool
            • Induction tool
            • Introduction to video: Sylvia Stanway - Autistic not broken
            • References
            • Reflective tool
            • The role of the social worker with autistic adults
            • Top tips
          • Organisational self-assessment tool
          • Post-qualifying training programmes
        • The Capabilities Statement for Social Work with Autistic Adults
      • People with learning disabilities
        • Introduction
        • Capabilities Statement and CPD Pathway: Resources
          • People with learning disabilities toolkit
            • People with learning disabilities toolkit introduction
            • Information sheet
            • Top tips
            • Induction tool
            • Reflective tool
            • References
            • Hair tool
          • Organisational self-assessment tool
          • Post-qualifying training programmes
        • The Capabilities for Social Work with Adults who have Learning Disability
    • Research and knowledge
      • Research journals
      • BASW bookshop
    • Standards
      • Code of Ethics
        • BASW Code of Ethics: Launch of 2021 refreshed version webinar
      • Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS)
      • Quality Assurance in Practice Learning (QAPL)
  • Support
    • Advice & representation
    • Insurance Cover
    • Social Workers Union (SWU)
    • Social Work Professional Support Service (SWPSS)
      • Become a volunteer coach (SWPSS)
    • Independent social workers
      • Independent member benefits
      • BASW Independents Toolkit
        • Section 1: Foundations for Independent Social Work
        • Section 2: Doing Independent Social Work
        • Section 3: Running your business
        • Section 4: Decisions and transitions
      • BASW Independents directory
      • Independents digital toolkit
      • Social Work Employment Services (SWES)
    • Student Hub
      • BASW Student Ambassador Scheme
    • Financial support
      • International Development Fund (IDF)
    • Groups and networks
      • Special interest groups
        • Alcohol and other drugs Special Interest Group
        • BASW Neurodivergent Social Workers Special Interest Group (NSW SIG)
        • Family Group Conferencing (FGC)
        • Project Group on Assisted Reproduction (PROGAR)
        • The Diaspora special interest group
      • Special Interest Group on Social Work & Ageing
      • Independents local networks
      • Local branches (England)
      • Groups and forums (Scotland)
      • Thematic groups (England)
        • Black & Ethnic Minority Professionals Symposium (BPS)
        • Children & Families Group
          • Children & Families Resources Library
          • Disabled Children's Sub-group
        • Criminal Justice Group
        • Emergency Duty Team Group
        • Mental Health Group
        • Professional Capabilities and Development Group
        • Social Work with Adults Group
        • Student & Newly Qualified Group
        • Social Workers in Health Group
      • Communities of Practice (Northern Ireland)
      • Networks (Wales)
    • Membership renewals
    • How to contact us
  • Why join BASW
    • Benefits of joining BASW
      • The BASW UK University Social Work Education Provider Affiliation Scheme
    • Membership Categories
      • Student member
      • Working (qualified less than 5 years) Membership
      • Working (qualified more than 5 years) Membership
      • Independent membership
      • Newly qualified social worker
      • Retired membership
      • Unemployed/unpaid membership
    • Membership FAQs
    • Membership renewals
    • Membership fees
  • Events
  • Media Centre
    • BASW in the media
    • BASW News and blogs