BASW Cymru
Social Workers serving the people of Wales
A Social Work Manifesto
for Wales
SAFEGUARDING
SUPPORT
ETHICS
RIGHTS
EQUALITY
TOLERANCE
CULTURE
VALUE
“The social work profession promotes social change,
problem solving in human relationships and the
empowerment and liberation of people to enhance wellbeing. Utilising theories of human behaviour and social
systems, social work intervenes at the points where people
interact with their environments. Principles of human rights
and social justice are fundamental to social work.”
Definition from the International Federation of Social Workers
The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) is
the only professional Social Work association across
Wales and the UK and the only body purely
accountable to Social Workers.
BASW represent all UK social workers at the
International Federation of Social Workers
(IFSW). We have many contacts with Social
Work Associations across the world and via
IFSW are able to influence the policies of the
United Nations.
BASW were founded 40 years ago to provide
support and identity to the social work
profession across the UK. We are led by social
workers and at UK and Wales level are wholly
accountable to social workers.
The reality is that much of Wales’ population
will have either had contact with a social
worker or will need the professional support
of a social worker at some time in the future.
Social work is the most neglected and least
understood profession in the UK.
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However, social workers are a key element in
delivering support and services and
empowering the most vulnerable citizens in
Wales.
The BASW Code of Ethics requires all social
workers to engage with political processes in
order to promote social justice and social
development. We are seeking to engage with
Wales’ political parties in this spirit.
In order to improve the lives and the well
being of the people of Wales, BASW Cymru
intends to promote social work in a positive
light and would like to see the following issues
addressed and supported during the next
Assembly term 2011-15.
A Social Work Act for Wales
If the National Assembly for Wales attains
full legislative powers in devolved areas
following the referendum in March 2011,
BASW Cymru would like to work with you
to introduce a Social Work Bill for Wales.
This would overhaul the way in which social
work is managed and delivered in Wales. The
key features we would like to see in a Bill
would be:
• A recognition of Social Work in
Wales as part of an international
human rights profession with an
internationally agreed definition and
ethical code.
• Protection of the role and functions
of registered social workers to
ensure quality of service and greater
protection of the public.
• Introducing a new duty of cooperation and integration across
Local Government, Health and
Social Work to improve service
delivery that is both cost effective
and efficient and better protects
vulnerable citizens of Wales.
• Statutory powers for a College of
Social Work to be consulted on
crucial issues of training, career
structure and conditions of
employment.The College will be a
membership organisation: owned by
and accountable to social workers.
Funded by the contributions of
social workers throughout Wales the
College would provide a new,
sustainable source of finance for
social work development and
service improvement...
Protection of Social Work Services
and Budgets
• Protect Social Work
In a climate of funding cuts it is vitally important that social
work is included amongst those services – education,
health and policing – deemed as priorities for protection
from cuts in public services. We ask all political parties to
commit to this.
• Priority for support and development
Any cuts to already under pressure social services would
place vulnerable children and adults at a much greater risk
of harm. Indeed, these services must receive priority for
better support and development as reductions in public
expenditure and other effects of the recession make life
even more challenging for people facing the acute
circumstances with which social workers deal on a daily
basis.
• Locally agreed and reduced caseloads
Social workers in Wales have been under intense pressure
for far too long and simply cannot be expected to cope
with any impact on their resources. BASW Cymru research
has shown that caseloads are already above safe and
sustainable levels, while referrals in the wake of a number of
high profile child protection tragedies continue to soar,
combining to leave many social workers at breaking point.
Caseloads should be managed at team level with serious
issues identified, flagged and resolved before services reach
dangerous levels.
• Better services can cost less
Changing systems can avoid the need for cuts. There are
inefficiencies in central and local government in the
provision of social work services that need to be addressed
immediately by radically amending the inspection regime, by
streamlining bureaucratic requirements and by insisting that
their social workers do social work to achieve better
outcomes with a person-centred approach.
• Trust and value the profession
Social workers are among the most dedicated public
servants in Wales. Throughout difficult times they have
continued to provide services which have protected
children and vulnerable adults and saved lives despite
systems which have undermined their ability to do their job,
where thresholds for intervention have been raised
dangerously high and placement resources have been
reduced. The new Government should support social
workers to organise collectively and co-operatively to
enable them to focus on delivering the very best service in
accordance with international principles and ethical
standards.
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Wales can be the best place in the world for the provision of
Social Work services
The Wales Assembly Government has received cross party support for the establishment of an
Independent Commission to consider how best social work can meet the needs of the citizens of Wales
over the next decade and with a Social Work Task Group to promote the reform and development of the
profession.
We call upon the next Wales Assembly Government to take a big step to further improve the well being
of the people of Wales by recognising the critical roles of social development, social work and social care
and by ensuring that all services for people are imbued with the international values and principles of the
social work profession:
• The development of world renowned
Centres of Excellence for Social Work
Training in Wales.
• The employment of social workers in
crucial management and mentoring
roles throughout integrated services.
• Duties of co-operation on all
professional groups and a step
change in collaboration between
social work and other key services.
• The development of international
links for social work and social
development with other small
devolved nations.
• New models of innovation and best
practice funded by the profession
with the partnership and challenge
of Government.
• Promoting an all inclusive society in
Wales
Some of BASWs most notable achievements in
Wales 2010
• 2010 saw the launch of new BASW Wales Ambassadors and Patrons.
* Ambassadors are amongst the most respected Social Workers in Wales and
are active in demonstrating excellence in the profession.
* Patrons include Assembly Members from across the political spectrum and
respected social work academics.
• We have piloted Professional Social Work groups across Wales. These are
forums where professional social workers have an opportunity to discuss
key issues, share best practice and develop policies and procedures.
• In May 2010 we launched the first ever Social Work award scheme for
Wales.
• Membership at record levels and continuing to rise across Wales.
Email: [email protected]
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