We are calling on the next Welsh Government to:
- Introduce a national pay scale for social workers across Wales, ensuring parity with teachers and the Welsh NHS.
- Support the creation of a Code of Professional Practice specific to social workers who practice in Wales. These will raise the standing of the profession by providing enhanced guidance, setting clearer standards and identifying social work as a profession distinct from social care.
- Invest in a nationally recognised Continuing Professional Development (CPD) framework for social work in Wales. Fully funded and recognised by the profession and employers.
- Increase the financial value of social work bursaries for student social workers, to increase the number of students starting on their social work journey. An increase will aim to widen the social demographic of those entering the profession and to support student social workers to qualify without negative impacts on them and their families.
- Invest in communities across Wales to create significant social, economic, and environmental benefits, contributing to overall well-being and resilience and position the social worker profession as a pivotal role in maximising the impact of these investments, acting as facilitators, advocates, and practitioners who bridge individual needs with systemic change.
- Implement a nation-wide media campaign across Wales to promote the social work profession in a positive manner and to encourage a wider diversity of people entering the profession. Specifically, to attract men, who currently make up less than 25% of the profession in Wales.
- Recognise unpaid carers as a priority group in shaping future anti-poverty and cost-of-living policies and work collaboratively with unpaid carer organisations and carers to develop these measures.
Download our Manifesto for 2026 in full.
How did we develop our manifesto?
A dedicated steering group was formed to take the manifesto work forward, comprising members from the BASW Cymru National Standing Committee, a local authority consultant social worker, two BASW Cymru staff members, who are qualified social workers, and one non-social worker BASW Cymru staff member who coordinated the group's work. BASW Cymru also invited members to contribute. A key part of the manifesto’s development took place at BASW Cymru’s annual conference in March 2025 in Cardiff and in June 2025, we also conducted a consultation with BASW Cymru members.
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The 2026 Senedd Election will mark the most significant changes since devolution in Wales began, including:
- An increase in the number of Members of the Senedd (MSs) from 60 to 96.
- The elimination of first-past-the-post elections for MSs.
- All 96 MSs will be elected via a proportional representation system, with six MSs representing each of the 16 newly established constituencies, which are:
- Bangor Aberconwy Ynys Môn
- Clwyd
- Alyn, Deeside and Wrexham
- Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr
- Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire
- Carmarthenshire
- Swansea West and Gower
- Brecon, Radnor, Neath and Swansea East
- Aberafan Maesteg, Rhondda and Ogmore
- Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare and Pontypridd
- Blaenau Gwent, Rhymney and Caerphilly
- Monmouthshire and Torfaen
- Newport and Islwyn
- Cardiff East and North
- Cardiff West, South and Penarth
- Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend
For the first time, the Senedd Election will reduce the term of office of those elected from a five-year term to four years.
Other changes that will impact following the 2026 Senedd Election, include:
- All candidates standing for election must be a resident in Wales.
- A defection of an MS to another party is not permitted. An MS would instead have to become an independent MS.
- Independent candidates must disclose any political party membership for full and clear disclosure.
