Sam Baron heads up BASW Cymru and England
Interim Chief Executive Professor Sam Baron will lead the BASW Cymru and England teams to represent members’ interests and advocate on their behalf across Wales and England.
The changes mean that Maris Stratulis is stepping down from her role after 12 years at the helm of BASW England. Maris leaves a proud legacy of strong member engagement and growth at BASW England where she has overseen the progress of a number of well-known and important campaigns and initiatives that are of enormous benefit to the social work profession across England and beyond.
Professor Baron said:
“It is a real honour to be taking up the reins at BASW Wales and England and I am excited to meet members, hear their views and ideas, and begin working to ensure we have the strongest and most effective professional association possible for them.
"My focus is on driving our future vision alongside our staff and membership to bring about change and recognition that BASW is the voice for social work and is the organisation for social workers.”
“I want to also pay tribute to the significant contributions and leadership from Maris over the past twelve years. I’m looking forward to building on her legacy of promoting the voice of our members in all we do, fighting for a stronger social work profession that makes a positive difference to people’s lives everyday.”
In particular, Maris has been passionate about increasing awareness of social work’s role in disasters, where she has supported the development of many key resources for practitioners, and led the first national pilot of this bespoke field of training for social workers. She has also been a vocal campaigner in the fight for a Hillsborough Law, which has recently been announced by the Prime Minister, and to fix the children’s social care system. Maris has also overseen achievements across key BASW campaigns, including Homes not Hospitals and 80:20 time for relationship-based social work.
Maris has been instrumental in championing the work of member-led branches, groups and networks, helping to raise the voice of social work and people of lived experience in upholding human rights, standing up for social justice, challenging oppression, and advancing fairer practices that promote greater diversity and inclusion in all spaces. Her allyship and commitment to anti-racism, anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice has been dearly valued by members, people with lived experience and stakeholders.
Always creating safe spaces and new opportunities for BASW’s diverse membership. Maris has created, shaped BASW’s co-production ‘with’ people with lived experience and members - the beating heart of BASW England.
Maris commented: “I would like to thank all members for your commitment to BASW, to the profession and for your ongoing unconditional support, hard work, and contribution to the community of social work and advocating for social workers.
“Special thanks to all those social workers who continue to make a difference to the lives of children, young people and adults – you really do make a difference 24/7. Never let anyone undermine your passion and commitment to doing what is ‘right’ and ‘just’.
"I would also like to thank BASW England members, people with lived experience and the amazing BASW England staff team who have collectively put human rights, ethics and social justice at the heart of everything ‘we’ do. I have no doubt this will continue going forward. Thank you all for your invaluable contributions, the gift of your time, your ‘can do’ approach, your incredible hard work and advocacy on behalf of the profession. In addition to campaigning, lobbying, responding to government consultations and for consistently representing and promoting the voice of social workers and social work.
“Members are the backbone of BASW, it has been a privilege and honour to work with you all and I wish each one of you good health, happiness and peace in your lives.”
BASW UK Chair, Julia RossMaris has truly led the way in speaking out for all facets of the social work profession and those who use services
BASW Chair, Julia Ross has paid tribute to the Maris’ many years of service to BASW England members and the wider profession, commenting: “Maris’ unwavering commitment to supporting, protecting and inspiring social workers during her time as National Director has been greatly valued by myself and all those who have worked with her. She has truly led the way in speaking out for all facets of the social work profession and those who use services, and we wish her well in what comes next.”
“I’m pleased to welcome Professor Sam Baron to the role in BASW England, which she will combine with her duties as Interim CEO until a permanent successor is appointed. Sam brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and vigour to this important role, which will be essential as we continue to grow BASW’s reach, engagement and influence at this critical time for our profession.”
