Ten reasons why BASW is best

BASW makes sure your money is used in your best interests. Run by social workers for social workers, we are the only organisation which can honestly say that it is totally independent of any government, employer or other vested interest. BASW relies on its members for its finances, knowledge and credibility and, with your support, we will continue to champion social work.

If you aren’t already a member, join us today by visiting www.basw.co.uk/membership

If you are already a member, please encourage your colleagues to consider these ten good reasons to join BASW.

1. BASW is independent of any government or vested interest.
2. BASW is led by social workers. Members of BASW Council and our national committees are social workers, so too is the BASW chief executive and national managers.
3. BASW is democratically accountable to social workers via its elected honorary officers, council and national committees.
   
4. BASW has the only trade union exclusively for social workers. 
   The Social Workers Union (SWU) is listed with the Trade Union Certification Officer and certified independent. SWU has statutory rights to support you with your employer and is the best friend you could ever have if faced by any of the four care councils. Membership of SWU is free to BASW members and because SWU only works for social workers it can concentrate on the things that really matter to you.
5. BASW is an experiencedand proven organisation that has been working for social workers for 42 years. We have a record membership and millions of pounds of assets, as well as sound partnerships providing professional indemnity insurance and the best legal advice. BASW is the largest professional association for social workers and has grown by 26% over the last three years.
6. BASW gets things done.One thousand social workers a year are supported through difficulties. BASW is listened to by Governments at all levels. BASW advocates in parliaments, care councils and the High Court. With 11% of our membership independent social workers, BASW also gives special attention to this important and innovative area of practice.
7. BASW operates to the highest standards of professional practice. BASW owns the
   British Journal of Social Work, publishes Professional Social Work, a monthly magazine (in print AND online – view the January 2012 PSW early now), and books, holds conferences on crucial issues and sets the agenda for others with its Code of Ethics. We also enable social workers in England to record your own professional progress using our CPD tool.
8. BASW speaks out fearlesslyon your behalf. BASW features in the national, regional and local media daily – saying what our members think and what they want us to say.
9. BASW has offices, professional teams and a trade union in all four countries of the UK.
10. BASW is the official representative of UK social workers at European and Global level through its membership of the International Federation of Social Workers.