News Articles
Search and read social work related news articles across a range of topics
Social work funding constraints toughest for a whole generation
Senior BASW member and social worker in Wales speaks out about how funding for social work is worse today than it has been at any time in the last three decades.
15th October 2012
Swansea social worker recognised for tackling online sex abuse
A Swansea social worker’s efforts to prevent young people with learning difficulties falling prey to online sexual predators was praised at BASW Cymru’s Social Work Awards. Claire Page, a member of Swansea Council’s child disability team, was among those nominated for an award at the event for her work in recognsing and supporting vulnerable young victims of internet-based sexual harassment.
11th October 2012
Social workers honoured in BASW Cymru Awards
The unsung heroes of the “best profession in the world” were celebrated at BASW Cymru’s annual Social Work Award ceremony, held at the Welsh National Assembly.
4th October 2012
BASW calls for social workers and judges to get same protection as celebrities
Following a successful campaign to take down a number of online hate sites ‘naming and shaming’ social workers and family court judges engaged in the protection of vulnerable children, the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) and its trade union arm the Social Workers Union (SWU) is asking for these professionals to receive the same concern from the police as recent high profile figures.
3rd October 2012
College walks out on talks with BASW
The British Association of Social Workers is extremely disappointed to report that The College of Social Work (TCSW) has decided that it is not possible to create a unified organisation for social workers in the UK.
28th September 2012
Member update – BASW Chief Executive and SWU General Secretary
Yesterday the Social Workers Union (SWU) Executive agreed that the duties of the General Secretary shall be carried out by the Acting Assistant General Secretary, David Allan, during the period of Hilton Dawson’s absence from the British Association of Social Workers (BASW).
25th September 2012
BASW: Lack of advocacy for asylum seeking children “diabolical”
As the Children’s Society publishes a critical report of the UK Border Agency’s practices when dealing with asylum seeking children, BASW has condemned the lack of legal advice, advocacy and specific supportive services for asylum seeking children as “diabolical”.
22nd September 2012
Trafficked children: “Staff lack skills, not compassion”
As the Council of Europe’s GRETA (Group of Experts on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings) today releases a report on trafficked children, BASW is supporting GRETA’s call for better services and more specialist trained staff.
12th September 2012
BASW: social workers must confront taboos around suicide and depression
BASW is urging social workers to use today’s World Suicide Prevention Day to begin confronting taboos about suicide and depression, as a preventative film is launched with part funding from the Association.
10th September 2012
BASW launches guide for social workers on alcohol use in older people
Ahead of Joan Bakewell’s BBC Panorama investigation of older people’s drinking habits, BASW has launched a guide aimed at spotting the signs of alcohol abuse, and expressed concern that the excesses of this group can be overlooked by hospitals.
7th September 2012
Social workers exposed online – the dangers we face
Last week saw public attention drawn to the launch of a new “name and shame” website aimed at “exposing the truth” about social workers and their penchant for unjustly removing children from their parents.
3rd September 2012
BASW condemns ‘name and shame’ website and urges employers to act
BASW has expressed serious concern after the emergence of a new website aimed at ‘naming and shaming’ social workers who are involved in child protection work – particularly cases involving the removal of children deemed to be at risk.
29th August 2012
Never knowingly undersold: social workers, not accountants, should have say on assessments
BASW has countered a report by public spending watchdog The Audit Commission, which suggests the adult social care funding gap could be plugged by using unqualified staff to complete assessments, with a reminder that cheaper doesn’t always mean better.
23rd August 2012
Cuts to Working Together guidance will lead to less protection for disabled children
BASW has warned that proposed changes to child protection guidance may exacerbate the risk of abuse faced by disabled children, as Ofsted publish a new study of 173 cases in 12 local authorities, finding that too many disabled children had child protection needs which went unidentified.
22nd August 2012
Social workers urged to contribute to consultation on psychosis and schizophrenia
BASW is urging members to contribute to an important consultation to develop clinical practice guidance on children and young people with psychosis or schizophrenia, for use in the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
16th August 2012
BASW: Witchcraft abuse action plan positive, but must be backed by more training for social workers
BASW has welcomed moves to empower social workers and other professionals to confront cases of “witchcraft abuse”, following the publication of the government’s national action plan to tackle child abuse linked to faith or belief.
15th August 2012
There’s no ‘honour’ in child abuse – Shafilea Ahmed verdict
Read BASW’s latest Huffington Post blog on Shafilea Ahmed’s parents being found guilty of her murder
3rd August 2012
Baby Peter five years on – government must strengthen child protection services not diminish them
Ahead of tomorrow’s five year anniversary of the tragic death of Baby Peter Connolly, BASW has renewed its call for the government to make child protection a priority and support professionals undertaking this very challenging but important work.
2nd August 2012
Changes to adult social care laws could make life easier for social workers
BASW has described proposed changes to the legislation underpinning adult social care, part of the government’s care and support white paper published on 11 July, as having the potential to make life easier for adult social workers, but cautions that the consultation process must be thorough.
12th July 2012
Remploy closures “an act of vandalism”
BASW and its trade union arm the Social Workers Union (SWU) has described the closure of half of Remploy’s factories, which offer work for disabled people “an act of vandalism”.
11th July 2012
