Scottish Association of Social Work

An exciting role at the top of our profession.

The Scottish Government is recruiting for the new position of Chief Executive of the National Social Work Agency.

Learn more about this exciting opportunity: buff.ly/rfjVGbT

#SocialWork #Leadership

Can social work save communities and democracy? Join the CPG on Social Work and an incredible panel.

We have a limited number of free tickets for social work students. To claim, email scotland@basw.co.uk.

Book here: festivalofpolitics.citizenticket.co.uk/events/festi...

Join our dedicated reflective place for practicing MHOs across Scotland to network with peers and engage in reflective discussion on prearranged topics to support professional learning and development.

Sign up for free: buff.ly/8kMYBAC

Becoming Allies in Social Work The Ally Model -

🎫 Becoming allies in social work series

Delivered by Child Sexual Abuse survivor and founder of The Flying Child, Sophie Olson, and consultant children’s social worker Sarah Pritchard as part of The Flying Child 'Side By Side CSA' training.

3 October, 9:30 - 12:30
basw.co.uk/becoming-all...

Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment: final report The final report of the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment, written by Edel Harris OBE.

🗞️ Independent Review into Adult Disability Payment.

The review's key findings are that while the payment is an improvement on PIP, which it replaces in Scotland, the system needs to be more accessible and person-centered.

Read the full findings: www.gov.scot/publications...

Our friends at @seemescotland are launching Anti-Stigma Sessions!

The sessions will bring together people across Scotland to spotlight some of the great work taking place to tackle mental health stigma, starting with a session on public stigma on 31 July.

Sign up to join at bit.ly/4lH3vJd

Book your place now for the SASW Annual Conference:
From the Frontline: Activism, Action and the Future of Social Work

🗓️ 20th November
💻 Online

Keep an eye out for speaker announcements coming very soon! 👀

Dynamic plenaries, interactive workshops & real-world insights.

🔗 buff.ly/HL2o9s9

We invite all social workers to talk directly with the Social Workers Union (SWU). This free online advice and representation session will focus on the intersection of disability and your rights at work.

11 August
1800 -1900
swu-union.org.uk/2025/06/talk...

Sign the Petition One Deal for Social Work: Campaign for Fair National Conditions for Social Workers

One Deal for Social Work? Our campaign to create a set of nationally approved terms and conditions for social workers. Time for CPD, fair salaries across the country, maximum caseloads, and access to flexible working.

Sign our petition and join the call for action: www.change.org/p/one-deal-f...

Can social work save communities and democracy? - Buy tickets Join the panel to explore how social work can help communities overcome the barriers of poverty, disability and discrimination that exclude many from participating fully in the decisions that affect…

As secretariate for the Cross Party Group on Social Work, we are delighted to be supporting the CPG's event at the 2025 Scottish Parliament Festival of Politics.

Book here: festivalofpolitics.citizenticket.co.uk/events/festi...

New from BASW: Social Work in Child Protection – Professional Practice Programme
Explore secondary trauma & burnout prevention with Rich Devine.
✅ Self-care strategies
✅ Time management
✅ Tools for tough caseloads

Protect your wellbeing while supporting others.
🔗 basw.co.uk/social-work-...

Book your place now for the SASW Annual Conference:
From the Frontline: Activism, Action and the Future of Social Work

🗓️ 20th November
💻 Online

Keep an eye out for speaker announcements coming very soon! 👀

🔗 basw.co.uk/events/sasw-...

Blog📰 "Rethinking local government resourcing and the funding of community services is urgently needed."

Read more - buff.ly/e2i6hQO

Talk to SWU about workplace issues on August 11th

We invite all social workers and social work students in the UK to talk directly with the Social Workers Union (SWU) on Monday, 11 August 2025 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.

swu-union.org.uk/2025/06/talk...

Earlier this month, the SSSC published their 6 monthly social worker vacancy report. Only 23 out of 32 authorities provided data on meaning there is room for doubt over the true picture of vacancies.

Read the full report here: data.sssc.uk.com/images/SixMo...

Looking for a space to reflect, grow, and build resilience in your social work practice?

The Professional Support Service offers free, confidential coaching support from trained social workers.

🔗 Learn more and access support today: www.basw-pss.co.uk/about-the-pss

📅 Date change: MHO Community of Practice

Our next session on relationship-based practice will now take place on 11 September (not 31 July). ⏰ 14:30 - 16:30

If you haven’t already, you can book your place now!

🔗 basw.co.uk/events/sasw-...

Stigmatising language around mental health is on the rise—and it’s harmful.

We stand with @SeeMeScotland in calling for greater understanding and an end to outdated, damaging narratives.

Let’s leave stigma in the past.
🔗 bit.ly/PublicStigma

BASW has launched a tailored CPD programme for social workers who trained overseas and are now working—or planning to work—in the UK.

🔗 For more information or to register: basw.co.uk/training-cpd...

Can Social Work Save Communities and Democracy?

Join this expert panel as they explore how social work can break down barriers of poverty, disability & discrimination, and empower communities to reclaim their voice.

Friday 22 Aug
16:15–17:30
The Scottish Parliament
From £5 | tikt.link/socialwork

New to BASW/SASW or want to make the most of your membership?
Join our lunchtime online session to learn about your benefits & how to get involved!

🗓️ Tues 23 Sept 2025
🕛 12–1pm
📍 Led by SASW – great for Scottish members, open to all BASW members.

🔗 basw.co.uk/events/welco...

Have Your Say!

We’re drafting responses to several important consultations and want your input.

👉 Click the link below, choose the consultation you’re interested in, and share your views with us. Your voice matters! www.surveymonkey.com/r/SASWconsul...

Linda Harms-Smith shares powerful insights into the lasting impact of colonialism on social work at the Diaspora Special Interest Conference. Her research challenges us to rethink practices, acknowledge history, and decolonize the profession.

Great to hear from Echo Yuet Wah Yeung and Teresea Barnett Asamoah at the Diaspora Special Interest Group Conference, where they presented their research on supporting practice learning in social work.

We’re delighted to be attending the Diaspora SIG Conference:
"Resilient Diaspora Social Workers: Surviving and Thriving in a Challenging Environment" in Wolverhampton today!

Looking forward to connecting, learning, and celebrating the strength and contribution of diaspora social workers. 💪🌍

The UK Government’s Welfare Reform Bill has passed the Commons, a deeply disappointing outcome for disabled people and those on low incomes.

BASW joined others in urging the Bill be withdrawn and all reforms co-produced with disabled people.

👉 Read BASW's full response: basw.co.uk/articles/cut...

Time to book your place at the next Social Work Policy Panel

🗓️ Tuesday 2 Sept 2025 | 1200–1300

Join SASW, SWS & the Scottish Government for a vital session on the Advanced Practice Framework.

✅ Free event – open to all social workers, NQSWs & students
🔗 Book now: basw.co.uk/events/socia...

Brush up your skills & boost your social work practice with BASW’s General Taught Skills Programme. Core & specialist CPD topics, flexible learning, & peer connection. Multi-booking rates: ProfDE@basw.co.uk
Book your place: basw.co.uk/training-cpd...

Let's Talk Social Work Society & Culture Podcast · Every two months · Welcome to Let’s Talk Social Work, the podcast from the British Association of Social Workers. This is a space for conversation—discussion with social…

Catchup on the latest with a podcast on the go 🚗 🚌

You can listen to the latest Let's Talk Social Work podcast below:

Apple - podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/l...

Spotify - open.spotify.com/show/7b6aBsD...

And Decolonising Social Work Field Education! A free series - www.dialogueswfe.org/

Blog - "Many years of budgetary restraint and cuts have left Local Authorities and IJBs with impossible choices and previously unthinkable decisions for local services in Scotland."

Read the full blog: basw.co.uk/articles/aus...