COVID-19: BASW comment

The latest guidance and BASW comment, plus information on BASW meetings and events

BASW has meetings, events and training planned over the coming months and are actively assessing the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on these plans.

Our priority is for the health and safety of all during this period and especially for social workers who are carrying out vital work with families, individuals and wider communities.  Your work is especially critical during this unfolding situation.

We are very aware that inviting social workers to attend an event or add extra travel to their lives could potentially risk their health and wellbeing and further risk the spread of the virus into the homes and communities that we serve.

Meetings, branches and events

We are monitoring the evolving situation and events may be cancelled at short notice, or new dates proposed in the future.  We will write to you direct if you are booked onto events to let you know the situation and your options.  Please do check the BASW events listing for the most up to date information on this. 

BASW members across the UK may also be  involved in meetings, networks and events – such as BASW branch meetings, special interest groups, BASW committees and networks. 

  • If possible consider having the meeting remotely – speak to a member of the BASW team and we can give advice on how to do this.  
  • or cancel rearrange if it is not possible to meet remotely – we can update your event on the BASW website and let people know

Please contact the branch, group or committee Chair and/or the lead BASW staff member if you are unclear or have a query

BASW Covid-19 update

BASW would like to extend our support for all that are working in social care and health services.  Thank you to all carrying out your important work during this period – your effort is more important now than ever.

We are liaising with relevant government departments to ensure advice for social work and social care is adequate.  We expect further guidance e.g. from DHSC in coming days.

BASW has developed a hub of information to support social workers with advice and guidance which has been issued by Government, regulators and health professionals.  You can access the Covid-19 advice here.  We will aim to keep this page updated with the latest advice.

Social workers and social care colleagues across the UK will be vital in supporting and protecting communities, families and friends to cope and step in when formal services are less available. 

Their role within multidisciplinary and multiagency services needs to be recognised.  

It is also important that decisions made within social care during what are likely to be very pressured times will ensure people’s rights are upheld always take account of wellbeing in the longer term, not just immediate expediency. 

We expect all staff providing vital services will be afforded compassion, respect and appropriate workplace protection by their employers.

We also expect social workers to be at the forefront of ensuring people who are most marginalised and disadvantaged can access help, recognising and resolving barriers to help and protection.

We urge all social workers to check the official advice from all relevant bodies and we will keep our website as up to date as possible with links through to guidance.