Special interest groups

The Alcohol and other Drugs (AOD) Special Interest Group (SIG) consists of practitioners, managers and academics who come together to share information, promote and develop knowledge, produce resources and consider policy.

The group has produced a range of resources and helpful guidance. 

The Family Group Conferencing Special Interest Group (FGC SIG) seeks to integrate FGCs into social work practice, research evidence, and publicise the model through events. The group is interested in identifying models of FGCs, which are considered effective by practitioners and are informed by best evidence. To this end, the group also aims to promote research of FGCs through conferences and to seek funding to research effective models.

With a UK-focus, the FGC group was formed by Professor Paul Montgomery, Dr Joan Rappaport, Clio Weissman and Andrew Broome. It has steadily increased membership and profile and now recognises itself as part of a consortium of networks in FGC including Daybreak and the Family Rights Group.  New Chair Sarah Brown is keen to further develop this important group, so if you wish to know more, please contact Helen Randle (BASW Policy & Research Team Administrator) in the first instance.

The Project Group on Assisted Reproduction (PROGAR) has a long-standing relationship with BASW. The group includes national experts in this area of social work practice and seeks to influence UK policy in this area, advocate rights of people affected by assisted reproduction and promote effective social work practice.

The Social Work with Romani and Traveller Communities Special Interest Group

As social workers, we are responsible for championing human rights and challenging oppression and discrimination – the human rights of Romani and Traveller families have been disregarded for too long and Romani and Traveller communities need us to do our job and influence much needed change. The Social Work with Romani and Traveller Communities Special Interest Group has been set up to do just that. It is an opportunity for social workers to come together and stand in solidarity to bring about fairness and justice for Romani and Traveller Communities.

The group is currently Chaired by Doreen Dove and supported by Sian Wilton (BASW Cymru).

• So, if this speaks to you and you’re a social worker keen to develop anti-racist social work practice and address the devastating impact of discrimination against Romani and Traveller communities, please get in touch with Sian in the first instance. 
• For more information see: Supporting Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) communities

The Diaspora SW SIG have members who originate from overseas and currently study or work in the UK. The group celebrates the contributions of diaspora social workers in the UK and promotes their interests within BASW and with other organisations. This group welcomes members of all nationalities and allies who support the interests and welfare of diaspora social workers. 

Supported by BASW, the BASW 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 with neurodivergent traits, 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. 

If you wish to know more, please contact Helen Randle (BASW Policy & Research Team Administrator) or follow the link above.

The UK Jewish Social Workers Group is the first of its kind. It aims to connect Jewish social workers and Jewish people working in the social care sector to discuss antisemitism issues, as well as promote Jewish culture and develop resources for working with Jewish people and communities. Antisemitism is on the rise globally and in the UK, and it can be countered by sharing experiences in a safe space and speaking up as a group.

It is not necessary to be a BASW member to join. However, we are a Special Interest Group led by BASW members, and membership in BASW is encouraged to help strengthen our collective action.

Anyone identifying as Jewish, regardless of background, beliefs, politics, or denomination, is welcome. We are a diverse group of intersecting identities that follows the Code of Ethics and strives for inclusion.

Help be the positive change to combat antisemitism and promote Jewish culture. Contact us at jewishsocialwork@gmail.com to join.

Statements 

• Open letter from the UK Jewish Social Workers group in response to the ‘Complaint about BASW podcast October 2021’  | PSW Magazine | June 2022.
• Statement from the UK Jewish Social Work Group unequivocally condemning the Pogrom on 7th October 2023 by Hamas | October 2023

The Student Peer Support Special Interest Group (SPSSIG) offers a monthly online forum, so BASW students and NQSW have a space to connect and network with a wider cohort. The forums will also be a safe place where students and NQSW’s are able to share ideas, knowledge, issues and experiences with peers in a mutually beneficial and supportive environment. If you would like to find out more, send us an email on SPSSIG@baswnetwork.co.uk