News Articles
Search and read social work related news articles across a range of topics
DVD launch at NIASW World Social Work Day event puts service users centre stage
Service users across Europe want their social workers to be good listeners, empathetic and politically motivated, a DVD launched to mark World Social Work Day in Northern Ireland has suggested. The film, International Messages on Service User and Carer Involvement, featured comments from service users in Spain, Slovenia and Northern Ireland, revealing similar demands in each country. Launched at the Northern Ireland Association of Social Workers’ World Social Work Day event on 19 March, the film showed student practitioners in each country asking the same six questions of service users. Responding to a question about the most important qualities a social worker needs to have, a Spanish service user told the student: “Not to feel judged, not being judged. I would also need to be spoken to with words I can understand.”
20th March 2013
World Social Work Day: Social workers have a vital role to play in reducing inequality
The vital role that social workers play in reducing inequality was the clear message sounded at BASW’s event to mark World Social Work Day in Westminster.
20th March 2013
Using World Social Work Day to press for more equal societies
On World Social Work Day, Linda de Chenu, Social Work Lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire, claims the recently-created Global Agenda for Social Work should serve as a rallying cry for social workers to unite and speak out against inequalities at home and across the world.
18th March 2013
The struggle to practise social work in Syria as the country collapses into war and retribution
One of the world’s most troubled zones, an estimated 60,000 people have died in Syria since the uprising of March 2011. Save the Children has warned of a “collapse in childhood” in the country, with one in three children having been hit, kicked or shot in the fighting. Sundus Saeed, a volunteer with Hand in hand for Syria - one of the few aid organisations working in the country - describes the huge task faced supporting a traumatised nation and BASW’s Interim Chief Executive Bridget Robb explains why the plight of the Syrian people should be of concern to us all.
18th March 2013
BASW – World Social Work day challenges us to find new ways of working together
Speaking at a celebration event in Westminster later today, BASW Interim Chief Executive Bridget Robb will tell an audience of MPs and social work professionals that money is not the answer to all of the current problems faced by local authority services and make a plea for both sides to work together.
18th March 2013
The work of the Palestine-UK Social Work Network
The Palestine-UK Social Work Network held a hugely over-subscribed event late last year, an initiative aimed at linking up British and Palestinian social workers. Jointly sponsored by BASW and the University of Durham, the event followed a trip to Palestine undertaken by UK social workers in 2011, in which the challenges facing social work professionals in Jerusalem and the West Bank were all too clear [see PSW article on this visit]
18th March 2013
BASW: Social workers need knowledge of the law and community to tackle human slavery
BASW has endorsed a major report that lifts the lid on the lack of multi-agency understanding about how to tackle human slavery and called on social workers to “play their part” to stop this abuse.
12th March 2013
International Women’s Day – Deeds not words needed on domestic violence say BASW
BASW has responded to comments made by home secretary Theresa May that the Government “can only do so much” and that people must speak out against violence against women and girls, with a reminder that cuts to services are leaving many unprotected.
8th March 2013
BASW – We need a sensible debate on welfare reform, not underhand attacks on benefit claimants
In a Huffington Post blog, BASW’s press officer assesses how the media is being used to promote the government’s proposals on welfare reform by demonising benefit claimants such as mum of 11 Heather Frost. Ms Frost hit the headlines after claims that she has demanded a £400,000 ‘eco mansion’ be built by Tewkesbury council.
21st February 2013
BLOG: Relief that decision reached on Dilnot must not gloss over flaws
BASW professional officer Joe Godden assesses the latest incarnation of the Dilnot report.
13th February 2013
Care of asylum-seeking children inadequate, says Kindertransport descendant
Daughter of Kindertransport Jew fleeing Nazi persecution says support for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in UK is inadequate.
25th January 2013
BASW STATEMENT: Update on Chief Executive position
BASW Council has completed the independent investigation into allegations made about the conduct of suspended Chief Executive Hilton Dawson. Following a subsequent period of mediation, recommended by the independent investigating officer and supported by both parties, it has been agreed that Mr Dawson will not be returning to his position.
18th January 2013
Build a Bridge in your community for Holocaust Memorial Day 2013
Holocaust Memorial Day takes place on 27 January and this year's theme is on connecting people within their communities. There are a number of activities taking place so find out how you can get involved.
21st December 2012
Reviewing the international definition of social work
The current International Definition of Social Work is now under review. It has served us well as we have used it to influence politicians and policy makers about the actual role of social workers in helping people change their lives.
19th December 2012
Pocket guides on problematic substance use launched by BASW
BASW’s Special Interest Group (SIG) on Alcohol and Other Drugs has produced five pocket guides to put basic information, hints, tips and reminders literally into the hands of frontline practitioners.
13th December 2012
Nigerian baby ruling sparks trafficking fears
Concern has been raised over a High Court decision granting custody of a Nigerian child to non-biological parents as a government report into human trafficking is published.
19th October 2012
BASW joins rally against austerity
BASW is set to show its support for the TUC's Future that Works march.
18th October 2012
BASW responds to allegations of targeting foreign families for adoption
There have been a number of claims made recently by families, notably from Slovakia, that children have been unfairly taken from their parents by authorities in England, culminating in a protest outside the British Embassy in Bratislava last month.
4th October 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
