BASW represents voice of social work at Covid Inquiry

The Inquiry is examining the response to and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic across the UK, aiming to learn lessons so that the UK is better prepared for any future pandemics. It covers the whole of the UK, although Scotland is also carrying out its own, separate inquiry.

BASW has core participant status for Module Six on adult social care and Module Eight on children and young people, allowing us to make recommendations to the Inquiry on social work specific issues. We are the only social work organisation in the UK with this status. We’re therefore using our platform to champion the role of social workers, ensure the views of social work and people with lived experience are heard by the Inquiry, and advocate for essential improvements.

On Thursday, 3 July, BASW Chief Executive, Dr Ruth Allen gave in-person evidence to the Inquiry on Module Six. The public hearing was chaired by Lady Hallett, with questions from Lead Counsel, Alice Hands and other core participants. 

The questions were based on the substantial and detailed written evidence submitted by BASW to the inquiry. We are grateful to social workers, people receiving care and support and their families who have shared their views and experiences with us as part of our work on the Inquiry.

What happened at the hearing?

Module Six is focused entirely on adult social care, so the questions at the hearing related to this area of practice only. Examples of issues that were discussed included access to PPE and testing for social workers, availability of social work specific national guidance, the scandal of ‘do not resuscitate’ notices being given to covid patients, decisions around hospital discharge, and the impact of the pandemic on the social work workforce.

The full transcript of the hearing is available here and can be watched on the Inquiry’s YouTube channel on the link below.

Promoting greater understanding of the role and responsibilities of social work was a key feature of our evidence. A better understood and respected profession is vital for ensuring that governments across the UK recognise, support and adequately resource the distinct and vital work that social workers do in our communities.

We also repeatedly highlighted the absence of specific statutory guidance for social workers during the pandemic, which was a major oversight from national governments. This must be rectified for future preparedness, given the unique role and requirements of social workers. Never again should social workers be left unguided and unprotected.

Following the session, we were pleased to hear Lady Hallett acknowledge that the role of social work is being heard loud and clear in this Inquiry.

What happens next?

Once all the evidence has been heard, the Chair of the Inquiry, Lady Hallett will produce a report outlining her findings and a series of recommendations on Module Six. The UK Government and each of the devolved administrations will have the opportunity to respond.

While BASW’s contribution to Module Six is concluding, our involvement in Module Eight, focused on children and young people, is only beginning. We have just closed our consultation with members on this module, the findings of which will inform our submission to the Inquiry. We do not expect the preliminary hearings for Module Eight to begin until late September.

You can keep up-to-date with all BASW’s work on the Covid-19 Inquiry on our website here.