Entry to this online event is FREE for SWU members and voting facilities will be provided during the meeting.
When booking your free place: at the Payment Method section please select "Credit Card" and you will be given the option to sign up to the event for free. If you need support registering for this event please contact joanne.marciano@swu-union.org.uk.
Registration deadline: SWU members must register by 12pm (noon) on Thursday September 25th to attend this AGM.
Research findings and practice experience provide compelling evidence that animal abuse in the context of domestic abuse is a tactic of coercive control and an act of animal cruelty (Arkow, 2014; Barrett et al, 2017; DeGue et al, 2009; Fitzgerald et al, 2019; Newberry, 2017; Richards, 2009, Wakeham, 2025). Although the link between domestic abuse and animal abuse is uncontested, it is an issue that is often not translated into practice.
Supported by BASW, the Neurodivergent Social Workers Special Interest Group (NSW SIG) is a SIG for neurodivergent social workers, and professionals within social care.
If you are a social worker who is neurodivergent, come and join us, let’s be the change and make our workplace neuro-inclusive! This vibrant, active SIG meets online, usually on MS Teams, on the last Tuesday of every month, 7pm till 8.30pm.
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.
This Social Work Policy Panel will focus on: Overhauling Eligibility Criteria
If you are a social worker or social work leader, currently working within an NHS Trust or other health organisation and looking for opportunities to connect with other social workers, share experiences and knowledge then this session is for you.
Many social workers practicing in the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VSCE) sector do not work alongside other social workers and may not have an opportunity to reflect on their practice with other Social Workers using social work frameworks.
The purpose of this Support Forum is to have a safe, positive, solution focussed and confidential space for social workers employed in the VSCE sector to meet their peers, provide support to each other and to discuss and explore issues that arise.
Section 117 is an enforceable freestanding duty placed on both local social services authorities and NHS commissioners to provide non-chargeable aftercare services to eligible people as defined in the Mental Health Act legislation. This session will explore the challenges and examples of good practice in the provision of Section 117 aftercare.
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.
Student and newly qualified Social Workers face a deluge of challenges and pressures during a period of intense learning and challenge. On occasions they may feel isolated or not clear about who they can talk to or where they can seek support.
The purpose of the Forum is to have a safe, comfortable, positive and confidential space for student and newly qualified Social Workers to meet their peers, support each other and to share and explore ideas and experiences.
Our aim is to challenge ageism and advocate for more effective social work practice in later life.
Our work includes: • Advocating for social work responses to improve wellbeing through allyship and empowerment • Promoting policy and holistic practice that recognises diversity and intersecting experiences within the ageing population • Promoting social work in later life in education and professional development • Developing and sharing evidence about how social work contributes to positive ageing.
Supported by BASW, the Neurodivergent Social Workers Special Interest Group (NSW SIG) is a SIG for neurodivergent social workers, and professionals within social care.
If you are a social worker who is neurodivergent, come and join us, let’s be the change and make our workplace neuro-inclusive! This vibrant, active SIG meets online, usually on MS Teams, on the last Tuesday of every month, 7pm till 8.30pm.
This event will provide an opportunity for Independent members to learn about BASW UK activities, your membership benefits, advice and representation and how you can access CPD, be involved in our campaigns and consultations, research, and policy work.
Your Professional Association connects you with other Independent social workers working in diverse settings across different nations and at different stages of career pathways.