Press Releases
Read our latest press and media releases
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
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
BASW: Treat children in care as individuals, not criminals
As a new report from MPs claims the youth justice system is currently failing children in care and care leavers, BASW has reiterated the need to treat looked after children as individuals. The report by the Commons' Justice Committee said vulnerable children were being drawn into the criminal justice system in a way that those from family homes were not. Committee chairman, Lib Dem MP Sir Alan Beith, commented that the committee had even heard one example where police had been called to a children's home to investigate a broken cup.
14th 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: Ministers must understand that the situation for many social workers is deteriorating not improving
BASW has responded to education secretary Michael Gove’s assertion that the current social work reform agenda will enable social workers to spend the time they need with at risk children by calling for more far reaching reforms of practice, training and funding.
6th March 2013
Butler-Sloss praised for hearing BASW’s concerns on adoption reform
The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) has issued strong support for today's comments by Baroness Butler-Sloss, Chair of the House of Lords Select Committee on Adoption Legislation, who has taken on board the message from social work that the Government's focus on driving up the number of adoptions should not ignore the need for better post-adoption support, more accurate data on adoption breakdown and the reality that adoption is not suitable for all children.
6th 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
Sue Kent - Tracing birth families on Facebook can have a devastating impact
Writing for the Guardian Social Care Network, BASW professional officer Sue Kent examines how Facebook is increasingly being used for unplanned communication between adoptive and birth families.
13th February 2013
BLOG: Children must not pay price of targets to reduce time on care proceedings
BASW professional officer Sue Kent examines the issues raised by a new report from the Child Protection All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), that highlights a family courts system under extreme pressure.
13th February 2013
BASW: Professionals must get over their unease about sexualised behaviour in children
As a study from HM inspectorate of Probation of 24 male sex offenders, (10 of whom were minors) indicates that early signs of future sexual offending were missed in the majority of cases, BASW highlights a culture of ‘unease’ amongst professionals about the sexualised behaviour of some young children, that must be addressed by adequate provision of training and services.
7th February 2013
Bridget Robb - Social workers at Mid Staffs must ask why they didn't blow the whistle
Writing for the Guardian Social Care Network, BASW's acting chief executive Bridget Robb explains why the Mid Staffs NHS scandal is also a disgrace shared by the social work profession.
6th February 2013
BASW: Empowered social workers must be at heart of children & families reforms
As children’s minister Edward Timpson today introduces the Children and Families bill to parliament, BASW issues a reminder to government that social workers need more help to keep families together, and that an obsessive focus on adoption is not the cure to all of society’s ills.
5th February 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
BLOG – deregistration threat to social work role should not be ignored
Following reports that 8,425 from an estimated 88,000 social workers have not registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in England, BASW professional officer Joe Godden is calling for action to prevent an erosion of social work identity.
10th January 2013
BLOG: Troubled families? Or troubled stats?
Writing in the Huffington Post, BASW's press officer debunks the stats being used to promote the Troubled Families initiative.
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
Social workers advised to keep social life offline this Christmas
BASW is advising social workers not to blur professional boundaries during the festive season and to think about the consequences for their own privacy and safety.
13th December 2012
BLOG: In Support of Nurses
BASW England Manager Ruth Cartwright on why the social work profession should support nurses.
10th December 2012
