Elevate your professionalism
BASW is the largest professional association for social work in the UK. Whatever your background or specialism, we are here to support, advise and protect you at work because we know how challenging each day can be.
As a member, you will receive a range of benefits that will enable you to continue your development through conferences and seminars, networking opportunities and reference materials. We provide our members in working categories with £5 million of professional indemnity insurance cover and for those who sign up to our Independents Plus package an additional £5 million of public liability insurance.
We help over 1,000 members each year with expert counsel and guidance through our Advice and Representation service.
Voice of Social Work
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Code of Ethics
BASW’s Code of Ethics for social work practice is the definitive set of principles for social work practice in the UK. Being a member means to also demonstrate good social work practice by following the Code of Ethics.
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Protecting you at work
We are there for you when you need us, with specialist advice and support. Your membership includes £5 million insurance cover.
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Professional development
BASW helps you stay up-to-date and informed through our superb range of sector-leading publications including a monthly magazine, Professional Social Work (PSW), British Journal of Social Work and Practice: Social Work in Action.
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Networking
BASW has networks of local activity which means we are never far away when you need us or if you want to use your membership in order to reach like-minded professionals or further your professional development.
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Unmissable events
BASW hosts and supports a number of conferences and seminars aimed at helping you with your practice and with your re-registration requirements.
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Supporting Independent Social Workers
‘Independent’ and ‘Independent Plus’ insurance packages are available exclusively to BASW members. Fees are in addition to BASW membership subscriptions at £5 or £15.
Pricing
Get connected
| PSW | Student | Newly qualified* | Full | Independent | Independent+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSW Magazine delivered to your door | ||||||
| Access to job vacancies online | ||||||
| Exclusive access to MyBASW | ||||||
| Recognition – use MBASW after your name | ||||||
| A say in how we are run | ||||||
| Regular e-bulletins straight to your inbox | ||||||
| Regular policy and practice consultations | ||||||
| Access to special interest groups and branches | ||||||
| International identity as a professional Social Worker | ||||||
| Discounts on books, journals and events | ||||||
| Preferential annual conference invitations | ||||||
| Independents: listing in the online business directory |
Get protected
| Advice & Representation for employment and Care Council matters |
| £5 million Professional Indemnity Insurance |
| £5 million Public Liability Insurance |
| Monthly fees | £42/annual | £4.21 | £7.14 | |||
| Part-time | £14.28 | £19.28 | £29.28 | |||
| Full-time qualified under 5 years | £14.28 | £19.28 | £29.28 | |||
| Full-time qualified over 5 years | £20.00 | £25.00 | £35.00 |
** The fees outlined above are valid from 1 October 2011 to 30 September 2012. **
Ways to join
Online
The quickest and easiest method is to join online using our secure website. The website will work out the fees for you automatically based on the information you provide and you will be able to complete your application by submitting your Direct Debit or credit card details.
Paper form
If you would prefer to fill in and send back the paper form, please download it and return it to: Membership, BASW, 16 Kent Street, Birmingham, B5 6RD.
Methods of payment
You can pay for your membership in a number of ways. The easiest method is to sign up using Direct Debit on a monthly or annual cycle. At the end of the membership year, we will write to you to inform you of any changes in fees.
We also accept credit card payments through PayPal in order to pay your subscription as a lump sum. Our membership year runs from October to September and you pay the pro rata rate for the year, depending upon when you join.
Switch to Direct Debit
Switch to Direct Debit for the 2011/2012 membership year starting 1 October 2011 to 30 September 2012.
Advice and Representation
Our A&R line is open to all members for advice and guidance from the commencement of your membership. Members who wish to take advantage of representation need to be signed up as a member for at least three months however advice and guidance is available to all members.
*Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSW)
This rate is only available to existing BASW student members who have graduated are now in full-time employment.
Independent Social Workers
We have two optional services available to existing members who are Independent social workers: we offer enhanced professional and public indemnity insurance and listing on www.socialworkdirectory.co.uk.
To register or find out more, visit our Independents Membership page.
Journals
For information about our journals, British Journal of Social Work and Practice: Social Work in Action, please visit our Journals page.
Life members
For life member applications, please contact the membership team at membership@basw.co.uk.
Professional Indemnity
All current, paid-up BASW members in a working category, including life members who are resident in the UK are covered by our professional indemnity insurance.
Retired BASW members are insured only in respect of claims arising out of any professional activities performed while they were members of BASW and provided that the individuals have maintained membership of BASW since retirement.
Download the professional indemnity insurance factsheet
Tax relief
Tax relief will vary according to the tax situation of each individual member. Costs shown above are based on an income tax rate of 20%.
Parental leave discount
BASW offers a 33% discount for existing members on parental leave (maternity, paternity and adoption leave). This discount is available from the time of notification and not retrospectively. The discount applies for a maximum of 12 months for any single period of parental leave, but normally until an agreed date at the outset. This discount is an alternative to, and not in addition to, any existing discounts and is available only to existing members working full-time or part-time.