BASW launches new Independents' Committee

• Hi Orlaith! Welcome to your new role. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am delighted to introduce myself as the first chair of the newly formed BASW independents committee. I have been an independent social worker for almost 10 years and a BASW member since then. When I considered putting myself forward for the role of Chair, I took a lot of time to reflect on my experience as an independent member of the association. This assisted me to consider if I had worthwhile the experience and knowledge to offer to the role. I'm interested to hear from members to ensure we're getting it right for you and look forward to hearing from you.

• So why has a new Independents’ Committee been established?

The increasing number of Independent Social Worker members within the association has led BASW to rightly analyse what membership for independents offers. Currently standing at 4242 members, independent social workers represent one fifth of overall membership and BASW has therefore decided to establish a committee to represent independents needs.

• And what will be its purpose and role within BASW?

Established in May 2024 the committee will represent the views and ambitions of independent members. It consists of myself as Chair, and I am very ably supported by six members and we all have established careers as independent social workers. 

Since August, we have held two committee meetings where we set out our priorities and agreed actions which we are confident we will achieve in this business year. It is our main aim to identify and prioritise the membership offer, services and opportunities BASW provides to and for independent social workers. To that end, the committee will provide a strategic direction for BASW’s offer and services to independent members as well as advising BASW on the provision of learning opportunities to enhance independent practice and career development.

• What do you see as the Committee’s priorities for Independent members over the next year?

We have established working groups to develop the independence charter and to review and improve the independents directory. In the coming months we will be liaising with the National Standing Committees to ensure the needs of independent members relevant to their countries are supported. All of our priorities are time bounded, and we will be appraising members of our progress. 

• What about your longer term hopes and aims?

The committee will ensure that BASW is outward facing and externally influential across the UK in its work around promoting the interests of independent members by establishing deliverable priorities which will be set out in an annual workplan. This plan will be incorporated as part of the wider BASW Business Plan. 

To name but a few some of our agreed priorities include an oversight of the provision of networks for independent members which are both thematically and regionally focused. It will advise on the provision of business development support for independents and a review of BASW member services has now begun. It is also planned that the Tool Kit for Independent members will be launched in December 2024. 

• How can members engage with the committee’s work?

We welcome views and indeed support from independent members to ensure that we are getting this right for you. Please get in touch with us on independents@basw.co.uk

• Finally, what has been the biggest benefits to you of being a BASW member?

The biggest stand outs for me have been that my membership has enabled me build supportive working relationships with independents and employed social workers. I have found this invaluable especially as often I work alone. That contact and support has enabled me to advance in my career as an independent through accessing training, becoming involved in various discussion groups as an independent and networking. Therefore, it is my plan that all of you get the most from your membership. 

Responding to the launch of the new committee, BASW UK Chair, Julia Ross added:

“The creation of an Independents Committee is to be much welcomed and I congratulate all those who have put so much effort into making it happen. We recgonise that independent social workers are a growing and significant part of our membership and look forward, under the strong leadership of Orlaith McGibbon, to the next steps.  Thank you all for your contribution to the ongoing success of BASW.”