BASW's Manifesto for Social Work
BASW has produced a Manifesto for Social Work that it is challenging political parties and all parliamentary candidates at the coming General Election to endorse. Members are being encouraged to press local candidates to support the proposals, which include six core principles and five key policies. Find out more below.
Sign up to the Manifesto for Social Work
The six core principles:
- 1. Support for the profession of social work.
- 2. The fair and equitable distribution of resources
- 3. Fair access to public services
- 4. Recognition of the rights and duties of individuals, families, groups and communities
- 5. Equal treatment and protection under the law
- 6. Social development and environmental management in the interests of present and future human welfare.
These core notions have been disseminated through PSW and an online survey open to all members. This has produced some thoughtful proposals for a brief manifesto based on the fundamental principles of our organisation.
Five points and a practical offer:
A Social Work Act of Parliament
New legislation and amendments to statutory guidance to ensure a College of Social Work has a fundamental role in setting standards for entry to the profession, standards required of employers, the career structure of social workers, qualifications and continuing professional development.
Protection of Social Work Services
Inclusion of social work and its support services amongst those services - education, health and police deemed as priorities for protection from cuts in public services. Support for BASW's statement on the role of social workers in Adult and Children's services.
Fair access to services and dignity in old age
A funding system for the care of older people which recognises that all forms of care should have the same status as the NHS and are funded either through National Insurance or general taxation
Equal treatment and protection under the law
1. Amendment of the law on hospital discharges to allow social workers to delay discharges for one week
if the discharge arrangements are unsafe.
2. Amendments to legislation to give children equal protection from assault - as we afford to adults -
and remove such concepts as 'reasonable punishment' and 'justifiable assault'.
Social work is a fundamental tool of international development
A commitment to ensuring that social work and the principles of our profession inform all aspects of international development work, building links between the Department for International Development and the International Federation of Social Work and ensuring that excellent social work practice supports communities afflicted by famine, poverty, war, natural disaster and climate change.
'MPs into social work' scheme
A practical offer to MPs to learn about social work and also to learn some important skills for your constituency surgeries through a secondment to a social work programme.