The British Association of Social Workers has vowed to launch its own breakaway national college in reaction to persistent doubts over the independence of the official college development group.
You can read the full story here.
Is BASW right to ballot members on launching its own college? Is it something that's good for social work? It has already been asked to step down from the group developing the official national social work college.
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To be honest I would rather BASW stayed involved with the government plans. I know they feel that the college won't be fully independent but we need someone in there fighting our corner. If BASW pull out they will go ahead anyway and just do exactly what they want without anyone putting over our viewpoint.
skirmish: To be honest I would rather BASW stayed involved with the government plans. I know they feel that the college won't be fully independent but we need someone in there fighting our corner. If BASW pull out they will go ahead anyway and just do exactly what they want without anyone putting over our viewpoint.
But BASW want to develop their own; they are right to fear government intervention and we should have atruly independent liberal
But BASW want to develop their own; they are right to fear government intervention and we should have a truly independent voice
I think the advantage of the BASW proposed college is that it will be much more focussed on the needs of the profession and that it will be UK wide. However I am very concerned by the fact that we may end up with TWO colleges. This would only demonstrate what a divided profession social work is and be potentially very confusing in terms of public perception. I think workers would object to having to join two different colleges, one for England and one for the UK and I worry that new workers will be more drawn to the 'Government approved' college - especially if it is better funded.
Hilton Dawson seems to believe that come the general election the reform group led college will fold leaving the BASW college as the only option. If this does happen I hope that all the agencies involved steer their support towards BASW, but until that happens I think the attraction of government funding and an 'official stamp' will be too hard to resist.
Hilton isn't too far off the mark, given the financial disaster any new Govt. faces I feel that anything Social Work will drift in to the background. What has changed, apart from flying pigs and hotair, since the Social Work Task Force recommendations?
The conservatives, under Tim Laughton have a great plan for social work that is worth reading; however if they get into power Tim Laughton will in all likelihood end up with a more prominent cabinet post.
Finally bear in mind that Hilton was an MP and has insight into what may happen post election, therfore he is quite right to start the discussion about a separate college BASW led. At least there would be one and it would definitely be run by professionals who have a real interest in Social Care, Social Workers and the direction of the profession.
Interesting times ahead.
I am no expert but I applaud BASW for it's stand. However, it only has 12,500 members and NAGALRO about 9,000 as I understand. UNISON has about 40,000 - correct me if I'm wrong and of those how many are social workers - but they do not support them now. No surpise there.
I sincerely hope their attempt to form a BASW college reaches fruition.
I am no longer in practise but I would switch from UNISON to BASW in an instant under the present leadership. My real loyalties lay with NALGO (I was work place representative) and then to UNISON, which did not, in my opinion, represent social workers. Bigger is not always better.
I agree Voltaire the results of the next election will be interesting as regards the future of social work education and social work on the ground.
I do so enjoy your postings Voltaire and they make me think, consider and be grateful for those who are still truly passionate about social work. Thank you.
BASW and UNISON are two completely different entities. BASW is a professional organisation, UNISON is a trade union with approx 1 million members. Leaving UNISON to join BASW would leave you without a union.
I can't understand why social workers aren't looking at a structure similar to that of the British Association of Occupational Therapists. BAOT is split into two parts - the College of Occupational Therapy, which is the professional body, and a trade union side. Its trade union functions used to be carried out through BAOT itself but OTs recognised that as a tiny profession spread out across health, local government and the voluntary sector, plus private practitioners, they were at risk of being drowned out by all the other, bigger professions. So they entered into an agreement with UNISON and essentially contracted out their trade union functions to UNISON. So now every OT and OT support worker who joins BAOT is a member of UNISON. We receive our professional body stuff via COT and our trade union stuff via UNISON, and BAOT hands over half of its subscription income to UNISON on our behalfs. Of course, if OTs want to, they can just join UNISON direct without joining BAOT, or they can join nothing at all, but over 90% of us are BAOT members and therefore UNISON members too, and it works really well. We have a professional body representing our professional interests and a strong trade union representing our workplace interests.
Kirsty, Good point, the social workers who have joined UNISON are a minority group. UNISON as a Trades Union might represent 1 million but what that translates to when individual's need help may be another matter (health dominate). BASW can represent and does do. If it had more members it might be able to do it better and more effectively. I am not convinced UNISON does it better for social workers.
BASW did look at a similar link that OT's have but those discussions have, I understand, come to an end - probably due to the high costs. It is right that BASW is completely different to a Trades Union - it is a Professional Association with a dedicated membership of social workers not a huge range of different members that such as UNISON represents.
I was a very active BASW member until resigning some years ago and was Chair of Membership Services for a short while until BASW amazingly disbanded that Committee - strange for a 'membership organisation!'
I feel that BASW is right to look at an independent College - it led the debate for social workers to be registered and would have ended up with something far better than the GSCC if it had been able to implement its own preferred direction of travel.
Mary Brady is right in pointing out its very low membership and that inevitably influences what degree of actual influence it can have - having said that it is far and away the leading Professional organisation for social workers and is actively consulted by Government.
We need to remember what social work should be all about and not end up 'married' in any way to a Government-led / dictated agenda - I share all the concerns that the proposed College will not be independent and in danger of being a quasi NGO.
I hope BASW members will think carefully before supoporting what we are told is a 'brave and historic' decision. The adjectives reckless and self-defeating better describe the proposal.
Reckless because it is grossly premature to abandon the development group for no evident reason other than a belief that it is in some way following a Government agenda. Self-defeating because it will destroy the prospect of achieving any change by creating division when social work needs to be united. No wonder Tim Laughton supports the idea of a college funded entirely by social workers with no Governemnt support but has anybody done any costings of what this would mean in terms of fees for memebrship.
BASW should have a prominent role in the establishment of a College but it has failed to make make a case for a leadership role based on having 12% of qualified social workers in membership- a proportion which is lower tha it was 30 years ago.
Of course a No vote will leave egg on the face of the leadership but better that than what Nye Bevan would have called 'an emotional spasm' which will do lasting damege to social work and to BASW itself
You assume incorrectly that 'f'or no evident reason' BASW has abandoned the development group. I have been a committed member of BASW for 8 years and I know that they tried to influence the devlopment group and have been completely ignored!
I am surprised that you could have imagined that such an historic dscision would have been taken wihout good and proper reason. So before you judge BASW please ensure you are aware of all the true facts.
Yes absolutely!
BASW is right to ballot members. BASW is a member led organisation and this demonstrates this. The resignation of one of its Council members and his subsequent decision to air his dissatisfactions with CC is appalling. Had the vote gone the other way, I am sure that Hilton Dawson and other pro UK college of social work; members would have respected the democratic decision of Council. Why is Ken's view more valid than Mr Dawson's and other Council members?
BASW is already permitted under its own constitution to do this, and have acted honourably to seek member approval despite this. BASW has also acted tirelessly to work in partnership with the Government, Ms Gibbs and others to bring about a College that would be good for the profession. However, they have been ignored.
No matter the past mistakes, or lack of apparent voice, BASW remains the ONLY association for social workers and this should be respected. Basw has been in existence for 40 years now, and has had many differing people at its helm. BASW like any other has learnt from these mistakes and are able, with a relatively new senior management team and Council to deliver. Since his appointment, Mr Dawson has demonstrated both his commitment to the profession and BASW. I hope that BASW membership will now stand together and vote a resounding yes!! To quote Mr Dawson " BASW has been accused of a lack of leadership in the past but just watch how we lead this issue over the weeks and months ahead"
BASW members please vote YES
support BASW: Yes absolutely! BASW is right to ballot members. BASW is a member led organisation and this demonstrates this. The resignation of one of its Council members and his subsequent decision to air his dissatisfactions with CC is appalling. Had the vote gone the other way, I am sure that Hilton Dawson and other pro UK college of social work; members would have respected the democratic decision of Council. Why is Ken's view more valid than Mr Dawson's and other Council members? BASW is already permitted under its own constitution to do this, and have acted honourably to seek member approval despite this. BASW has also acted tirelessly to work in partnership with the Government, Ms Gibbs and others to bring about a College that would be good for the profession. However, they have been ignored. No matter the past mistakes, or lack of apparent voice, BASW remains the ONLY association for social workers and this should be respected. Basw has been in existence for 40 years now, and has had many differing people at its helm. BASW like any other has learnt from these mistakes and are able, with a relatively new senior management team and Council to deliver. Since his appointment, Mr Dawson has demonstrated both his commitment to the profession and BASW. I hope that BASW membership will now stand together and vote a resounding yes!! To quote Mr Dawson " BASW has been accused of a lack of leadership in the past but just watch how we lead this issue over the weeks and months ahead" BASW members please vote YES
CAN I ADD THAT THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE NOT IN BASW TO JOIN NOW AS THEY ARE THE ONLY PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATION WITH SOCIAL WORK, ITS INDEPENDENCE, ITS FUTURE AND SOCIAL WORKERS AT THE HEART OF ITS APOLITICAL AGENDA
Ken was right to resign and then give his views as an ordinary BASW member. Why rush to hold a referendum before the final decisions on the English College are made? As 80% of BASW members are in England and there will be no breakdown of the vote into the four Nations that make up BASW, England members will decide the outcome of the referendum. In my view ignoring the devolved nature of social work and the legal complexities involved. I am in favour of a legally constituted UK College but not one established by a minority of social workers with no real power.
Another response which does not take onboard all the issues. Ken’s response to a democrat vote is ethically wrong. As a Council member he was entrusted to act in the best interest of BASW, taking his disgruntle to CC, despite hi view that his concerns are warranted; does no good for either BASW or the profession.
Timing is crucial and BASW needs to be able to respond to imminent issues quickly and assertively. The college needs to be UK because despite the numbers, the problems which were identified in the SW task force report are replicated in the other countries. Sharing good practice etc across the UK as got to be of benefit.
Despite the potential English membership of BASW, the fact remains that it is a UK association. If you are a member of BASW your views on devolution etc I am sure would be appreciated in any BASW UK college development group.
What you describe as a minority with no power is precisely what BASW is going to work to change. BASW is actively encouraging new members from all countries in the UK and will no doubt lobby to attain statutory powers.
So instead of fighting each other, let’s put are differences aside and work together. Bring your issues to BASW and I have no doubt that what we all seek to achieve, because at the end of the day we all want the same thing; will become a reality.
Sorry to look silly here, but I am going to start my MA Social Work at Lancaster uni. As a student do you think I should join BASW and if yes, why?
Also are you saying that uni does not do a good job.
Please don't bite, I am new to this.
thank you.
This is certainly not a silly question. The college referred to is not akin to normal universities and colleges. The BASW UK College would aim to be one led entirely by social workers, led by the profession, to raise standards and status of the work undertaken by social workers across the UK.
Yes you should join BASW, member benefits include:-
- £2 million of insurance cover
- Monthly magazine
- Book and journals at discounted rates
- Joining a community of other social workers and students
- An excellent representation service, should you require help, advice or someone to formal represent you whether you are employed, independent, an agency worker or student.
- Basw’s personal safety service can help you stay safe at work.
- Access to discounted conferences, seminars and events
- BASW brings together everything you need to support and advance you, saving you precious time searching for the range of services we provide.
BASW is the only organisation which represents student at potential failure of placements and any other issues or concerns regarding any SW programme. Visit the BASW website at www.BASW.co.uk
You can join online.
thank you, I will look into it.
I start in October this year on a 2 year course. Looking forward to the career of social work.
once again thank you for your reply.
BASW has every right to do what it’s executive and its membership wants. BASW however does not represent social workers; it just represents its members. BASW has no authority outside of this when it speaks about what a national college should be like. It is rather amusing however to witness BASW throw its toys out when it does not get its way. BASW cannot demand nor enforce subscriptions from social workers. It as no authority over social workers not the legal functions other professional bodies have. This is a spat amongst a relatively small number of people and I am assuming not all are current practitioners. Personally, I am happy to take my chances with a national body representing all registered social workers.
I am a loyal and longstanding BASW member but as Support BASW is so well informed perhaps we could have some important questions answered.
1. Is it true that council was divided on the decision to go it alone?
2. Can we have examples of what attempts by BASw to influence the development group have been unsuccessful?
3, Have any costings been done of fee levels for the Uk college?
I agree that the College should not be dependent on Government funding and should as soon as possible relegate DH/DCSF to observer status. BASw's bottom line should be a college led by social workers with a majority of social workers on the Board. how that cannot be in the best interests of social work I fail to understand?
Vote no for Social Work.
TerryB
I am not sure what ethics has to do with the debate about the rights and wrongs of the proposed BASW UK College. Some times resignation over a major disagreement is the best way out for all parties. BASW members are intelligent enough to decide how they wish to vote or, if they choose, not to vote at all.
Sorry Hilton, the £17 per month I was going to spend on BASW membership now has to go towards compulsary - and ultimately pointless - dog insurance.
But seriously folks, I think it's absolutely crucial that the college is independent and free from the Ministry for Cocking Things Up over at Westminster. The government's tentacles extend into enough areas of our lives as it is, let's not let them reach our College too.
I should start by saying that what I am about to write is from a position of relative ignorance - I have just been accepted onto the MA course so am not yet a social worker or a member of the BASW, but I have read the documentation that seems to be available - both the Taskforce report section on the college, and the documents on the BASW. Hence what follows are genuine questions rather than accusations - I am happy to have my ignorance rectified if possible.
I am now a bit confused by it all. The primary objectives of the college (both the Taskforce one and the BASW one) seem to be around giving SWs a unified national voice, and being seen as a valued and influential voice by policy makers and employers. What I don't understand is what BASW is proposing that hasn't been within it's gift to achieve for years, and why do they think they will be successful in creating this unified organisation when they haven't been able to attract more than a relative small fraction of SWs in the country. What would the BASW led college do that is different to what the BASW itself does now?
Also, surely the Terms of Reference for the college development group would have stated that it was looking at an English college (I will confess I haven't seen the TOR) and that BASW would have signed up to these TOR. So why cite it as one of the main reasons for leaving now? I am also a bit confused as to why this is a reason to walk away from the discussions. I can see why a UK college is preferable, but why would an English college be such a bad starting point?
On a slightly different note, I am also a bit confused by why BASW members need to join a union (I am sure this is just my ignorance)! If BASW provides such good representation services then what extra does the union do?
Overall, as an interested outsider, I have to say that the BASW decision doesn't come across very well, especially with the level explanations provided into the public domain. But go easy on me - as I say, I know this may be my ignorance (but then I kinda think that then it is a failing to properly sell the message by the BASW, which isn't too encouraging when a core part of the job will be to represent SW to the public).
Hello,
I have just been offered a place at Lancaster uni. How about you? Where are you going?
BASW needs to 'professionally sell' why it should proceed with an independent College and to produce a 'Strengths and Weaknesses' analysis of the Government alternative. IF it can do better than it ought to seek to convince Government of that rather than risk isolating itself and running to expense that it can ill afford.
BASW is a small Organisation with limited funds - it can not match the £5m Government funding - it would struggle to even find a tenth of that sum. If it can produce a Viability Assessment that would support it proceeeding all well and good but like other professional Colleges without professional, governmental and public support and confidence it will fail.
I urge BASW to proceed with the greatest possible caution and not tear itself apart in the process. As an ex-member I still care a great deal for it and truly believe that social work needs BASW but it can only do what its limited membership and resources allow it to do. It is first and foremost a Professional Association - it may not even be compatible with all its aims and objectives to become a College. At best it could only support such a venture so it needs to take the 'wider' professional world along with it and gain the support on other Associations and Trades Unions. This may, alas, be a dream too far.
I've been thinkign about this issue for a few days now, trying to make upo my mind which way my vote will go when the ballot papers drop through my door. As a BASW member, I've got to say I'm disappointed by the whole way the association has conducted itself with regard to the national college proceedings. Somebody else referred to it coming across as BASW throwing their toys down in a tantrum, and it comes across like that to me too.
I'm not particularly keen on the make-up of the college development group as it is at present- however, that said, this is simply the development group. The government has said all along it's aim is for the college to become independent asap with royal college status. I feel that we have more chance of this happening with a larger group of those involved in social care in all aspects in the development group- I seriously question if BASW has the ability or the manpower to establish a national college, never mind the funds, nor the status to attract membership to the college thereby ensuring its survival and effectiveness. I fear a BASW college will simply have the same status as the current BASW does- an optional extra in the minds of most social workers, that is fairly low down the list of priorities.
Yes, Hilton is right in that the college needs to be social work led. However, this is more likely to occur by exerting pressure from an inside position, while also taking advantage of the funds and expertise of other interested parties in the development stage. Power and influence does increase with numbers, and I fear that BASW simply doesn't have those numbers to take this forward in comparison to the coalition within the development group.
BASW's current behaviour saddens me, as a member whom it supposedly represents, as their actions appear to contradict their words calling for unity within the profession.
Join BASW if you are not a member.
Whatever your views, Im just pleased to be asked.
Crispycakes
BASW Council vote was a democratic process, and it has already been published in CC that the outcome was 9 to 4 in favour of balloting members regarding BASW establishing a UK college of social work.
The proposed government sponsored national college function is little more than BASW functions, only it will not be totally independent, and not be UK. Is anyone really of the view that the government is going to give the profession £3 million without any strings attached! BASW has lobbied from within the development group for a college with statutory powers, a UK college which will have the power and authority to set standards of entry and practice etc. These have been ignored and BASW has had little impact on the development process. The decision to ballot membership was only taken after it was clear that BASW had little influence. It would have been a far easier decision to work with the present college development Board. The option proposed is ambitious but very necessary.
I am not present at the national college development board meetings, therefore I without a doubt, accept the views of Mr Dawson, who does attend those meetings and is privy to ALL the relevant information. It’s his job to be membership’s eye and hears, let’s support our professional association and trust the CEO and Council
The current college development board has only one social worker representative on it. Let me set the record straight, BASW is not having a public tantrum; in fact BASW Council supported continued BASW representation on the national college development board pending the outcome of its membership’s views. As already reported in CC, BASW was asked to withdraw! BASW did NOT walk away from discussions.
When I spoke of ethics this is in reference to the EX-Council member disclosing his disgruntles in public to CC, certainly not the vote.
It is absolutely correct that what BASW is now proposing has been within its gift for years; however, BASW has learned from past mistakes and ARE proposing it now. As I stated previously, the senior management has changed and I am sure you will agree, Mr Dawson is a dynamic man. BASW’s website gives useful information about how other professional colleges have organised themselves, this makes useful essential reading.
Regarding the issue of the advice and representation service and union membership, every professional, whether within social work or otherwise, will have the options of joining either their professional association and/or union. The main difference is that a union will have negotiating authority to determine terms and conditions of employment. The Advice and Representation Service offered by BASW are all registered social workers who have been trained in employment law. In my personal experience, social workers are best placed to represent socials workers!
Hilton Dawson and other BASW representatives initially engaged in discussions and were hopeful, despite the impact this would potentially have on BASW. As Hilton as already stated, it is about the profession not BASW. I am sure invitations will be extented to other relevant organisations etc to be a part of shaping the prposed UK college.
Of course BASW is not purporting to be the single voice of the profession with its current membership, the plan is that membership will increase. The fact is, it remains the only SW association. Why other social workers have not joined in my view is simply that they are unaware of what is on offer. I was pleasantly surprised when I joined 8 years ago. I would urge any social worker reading this that are not presently members, go to the BASW website and read for yourself the good work that is being done by BASW. Join your professional association and be a part of shaping you profession.
I just wanted to add that I'm finding this thread incredibly useful and interesting. I am a BASW member (although something of a dormant one!) and am completely undecided as yet which way I would vote, perhaps I need to do a little more research which is why I find it useful to have the debate here!
I have a lot of time for BASW in general but I think they do need to propel themselves and sell themselves more to front-line practitioners. It is a shame that for too long it seemed to me that it is often the same people who are involved in BASW and there needs to be more 'ways in' for new blood. The student conference was a good move though but that's a side issue to this one..
I have very mixed feelings over this issue (hence the indecision). On one side, it is hard not to fall for the rhetoric of 'needing to speak for ourselves' - and it's true that BASW only represents her members which is a small proportion of social workers in the UK. I feel the GSCC is an example of a QUANGO set up for social workers with little to no input from any practitioner but with massive influence over our careers (through disciplinary hearings and registration). We often hark back to other 'professions' but social work is inherently more political than 'doctors, nurses et al'. The nature of our profession - like it or not - is bound so tightly to government policies that I wonder how much independence will be possible. In which case, for all the rhetoric, it may be better to go with what is proposed and argue from within.
Hmm.. in a sense, I think BASW is fighting for its' life here. If the proposed college would carry and take away from some of BASW's role then I think there was probably little choice that they have but to propose something 'independent'. I also think although we can't backtrack, it's a shame this wasn't proposed and set up before the government got involved but we can't go back to the past now.
So at the moment, I remain unsure but watch the debate with interest.
supportBASW asks us to accept “without a doubt” the views of the BASW leadership. Mr Dawson berates Community Care for partial reporting and urges us to set ourselves straight via their website. I may be missing the point but this hardly constitutes open debate. We are urged to join BASW because it apparently serves the interests of social workers yet it is clear that since the 1970’s it has failed to carry social workers to its views or to engage them in any campaigning for the betterment of social work. The current leadership blames previous executives for this inertia but seems incapable of understanding that BASW even now has little credibility when it seek to represent itself as the voice of social workers. The current income of the Royal College of Psychiatrists £13,540,000, of the Royal College of Pysicians £21,375,000. BASW would struggle to match the £3 million it disdains the government of providing for the Social Work College. In my 26 years of working as a social worker I have never been tempted to join. BASW needs to appraise why practitioners like me think like this before it seeks to promote itself as the sole credible voice of social workers simply because it is the “only SW association”
I am right with BASW in its determination to launch a college. According to my understanding, there is proposed to be no joining fee to that organisation. However, the real point is that the government proposes to establish the College. And when, in the history of social work, has the government (of whichever persuasion) done commissioned or established anything that was good for us or that improved provision for our public?
I can remember back to Maria Colwell. In my view not a single one of the high level enquiries from then on has been worth the paper it was written on. Laming? This is the ex-director of Hertfordshire that is a self-professed non-expert in child protection. The GSCC? The only regulatory body in England feared and dispised by its registrants. And have you seen how much money is spent on its plush premises and high-flying legal people to represent its own staff in front of its own committees? ICS? The National Assessment Framework? Direct Payments? Individualised budgets? Etc. And the people who brought you all these now want to bring you a National (not a UK) College of Social Work.
If in doubt, check out the Royal College of Nursing. Works well. Nothing to do with the government. Check out the British Medical Association. And so on...
Go for it BASW. Bite the bullet. Set up a Union as part of the structure. Don't charge membership fees for general College membership. Blow the government's plan. UNISON is bound to oppose it - it could cost them members. Hilton Dawson has put his own neck on the line here, for which I applaud him. I don't want another expensive government quango that will insist on taking my hard-earned salary (like the Care Councils do).
Finally, do we have a choice? Only if we go with BASW's independent College.
Hilton First let me say you are doing a great job with your road show travelling round the UK and I am sure you are the main reason that BASW's membership has grown by over 20% in the past year. I read the extract from a recent speech you gave reported in today's Guardian which raised a number of questions. I have checked BASW website (which incidentally is much improved) but could not find the answers to the following:
Membership of the proposed UK College will be free to all social workers. How will it be funded? It looks as if BASW is setting it up with its resources but will not run it? Does that mean that BASW members will be paying for its running costs? BASW has I believe a code of ethics that all members have to sign up to. Will College membership require something similar? You say the College will require legislation to be passed by all national governments. What happens if they dont agree or if some do and some dont?How will the College be organised? Will it have a Senate and with how many members and how will it be elected? Will it have a President or Royal Patron?I assume only registered social workers can become members. What about retired social workers? Can they be associate members or Fellows?
Sorry to ask so many questions.
Just a thought a thought and I'm not a member or in a Social Worker role.
Wouldn't a college set up by those who make the rules be a good thing?
I'm only following the story and don't understand why the adversity to having the Law makers involved, surely having them on board would be a good thing? Isn't Social Work deptments part of and ruled by government?
Sorry if I'm being niaeve.
JBD: Just a thought a thought and I'm not a member or in a Social Worker role. Wouldn't a college set up by those who make the rules be a good thing? I'm only following the story and don't understand why the adversity to having the Law makers involved, surely having them on board would be a good thing? Isn't Social Work deptments part of and ruled by government? Sorry if I'm being niaeve.
Excellent questions JBD!
I'll start the ball rolling with a couple of brief points as I'm sure others will want to have their say as well.
Firstly, not all social work takes place in the statutory sector and not all social workers are employed in the statutory sector (e.g. Barnardos, Universities, etc.), thus, the government is certainly not the ruler of all organisations or individual social workers who work within them, even if it would like to be.
Also, social work as a 'profession' cannot and should not be ruled by anyone, least of all a government which has its own political ideology and agenda to promote that could potentially conflict with social work ethics, values, and best practice. If social work is to be led by anybody it should be those individuals who contribute to our knowledge and understanding of social work in terms of research, theory and practice, including the practitioners themselves. If social work is to have a clear objective evidence-base then it needs to be free from partisan political meddling which is always a danger when you let a government have control. If you want an example (and I know I generalise here), just look at the NHS. The independence of the colleges/organisations supporting doctors and nurses allows them to disseminate research and promote best ways of working that are 'intrinsically' good and not just designed to further the political ends of the government. It also allows them to both speak out and lobby against what they perceive to be government driven practices that will neither benefit practitioners in the NHS or the patients.
So, just a couple of thoughts but I daresay there will be others.
First of all I must say I am encouraged by Oroheus’s contribution, you are absolutely spot on!
I have re-read Mr Dawson’s blog and I must say I do not interpret this as a berating. He supports what I have been stating about being well informed about the issue. In that sense he is correct to refer you to the BASW website.
In response to the statement regarding the apparent failure of BASW since the 70’s to carry social workers to its views or engage them in campaigning, this argument is entirely flawed. I certainly do not seek to issue any blame on previous executive, I blame myself, and so should any other social worker out there that as not joined there own professional association.
In a past life I worked for the probation service, I had no hesitation in joining the association of black probation officer. Why, because I wanted to belong to an organisation which could influence to Probation service with issues regarding discrimination etc. I did not join because I presumed they had all the answers, but because I wanted to be a part of the solution.
Since transferring to social work, for most of the time I was happy for BASW to do it without my contribution. However, Eight years ago I joined BASW and I hope that I have influenced the association and bring to it not only my sense of identification as a black social worker but also my professional experience and knowledge.
What would the association become if the majority of social workers joined, with all its differing wealth of cultures, identity, experience, position and knowledge? I can assume that it would be a stronger, more credible influence for the betterment of social work. BASW needs all social worker to join, not only the ones who share similar views, but also the ones who have differing views. Join and be a part of developing your own professional association and being a part of the solution.
The other professional associations out there did not start with an income of £13.540.00 or £21.375.00. They had to start somewhere. 90% of doctors and nurse etc belong to the BMA and it must be similar with the others.
BASW has always encouraged membership, and it has carried as many social workers who join in campaigning etc. It is time for us all as social workers, to bring about our own professional destiny; BASW is a member led association. I can only again, encourage members to vote yes to taking our profession back’ and to non members; join and be a part of the solution, BASW welcomes all.
I appreciate that this has the danger of boring others but I can’t really let some of Orpheus and supportBASW’s arguments stand. Orpheus you say when has the government done anything good for us or improved provision for the general public? Governments gave us the Welfare State and the NHS, governments have given us equal pay, the disability discrimination act and employment rights to name just a few. We may have used our votes we may have even campaigned for these but it is facile to say governments do nothing of any use.
As you well know supportBASW, nurses have to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council to practice and the British Medical Association declares that “the BMA is an independent trade union and professional association for doctors and medical students” Both a tad different from the one trying to set itself up as the arbiter of what a College of Social work should be I would venture.
You say that my statement that BASW has not carried social workers to its views and engaged them in campaigning is “entirely flawed”. Really? Enlighten me on which issues BASW in the past or now speaks about on behalf of a representative tranch of social workers? All I know is that my employment rights, my pay scale, my conditions of service have all been negotiated by a trade union. I know that when a colleague has been victimised it has been a trade union that has campaigned to have them re-instated.
I see members of political parties and of unions and local resident fight cuts services for vulnerable citizens or occupy schools and libraries to stop them from closing. I have yet to see a BASW banner at a demonstration about cuts in social care. Sorry if all of this is a bit tedious and off the subject but when you claim grand ambitions than you need to substantiate them.
Tell us in concrete terms why BASW is good for us and give us the examples of how it has improved our working lives and we might begin to take notice. A touch of humilty would not go amiss especially when speaking on behalf of a miniscule membership of actual practitioners.
Cheers Grinch,
I was a bit worried if I was going to offend everyone with the Social Workers are all government employee's for some reason I didn't think of who else employs social workers and had a mental block.
So apart from BASW who else would be good for the proposed College?
Again put it down to my niaevaty