Take a moment to be proud of all you have done
Again this year social work has demonstrated its importance in the lives of people across the UK.
Quietly and committedly social workers have gone about their work to help people thrive. And you, and they, know the difference you have made.
BASW knows this too. We know that you have put in extra hours. We know that you have cared deeply about the people you work with. We know that you have faced down your own struggles to be there for others.
You are an inspiration.
We are here to support you. As a BASW member you can access our Professional Support Service, offering essential space and support for social workers to talk and think through issues, including covid 19.
Your members also means you can access advice from BASW/SWU Advice and Representation, a team of qualified social workers, for professional and regulatory help.
This year we held even more online events – from world social work month to our success in social work webinar series. We also created more resources than ever and more members joined our online training events. You can watch our webinars again here and explore our resources too.
We joined together to celebrate Amazing social workers – celebrating our colleagues and our profession.
For 51 years now BASW has spoken up for social work, for social workers and for a better society. We will not stop doing this. We will keep being there to ‘help the helpers’.
Last year we unveiled our survey findings of 1119 social workers ‘Social work during the Covid-19 pandemic – initial findings’ which revealed the challenges you have faced. We shared these findings with UK governments and employers to raise concerns and put the vital, positive work of social workers in the media, including BBC and Sky news.
To help us continue to support you we are inviting social work professionals across the UK to complete BASW’s annual survey. We want you to share your experiences and to shape our work for the future.
Please do complete our survey – all responses will be treated anonymously and in confidence. The survey will close on 31 December 2021.
And, with you, we will keep calling for the UK to be a place where nobody is forgotten, and everyone is able to live a life of dignity and hope.
We wish you and your loved ones a peaceful end to the year and joy in 2022. Take a moment to be proud of all you have done.
Thank you for the hope you bring to others. We will be there for you.
Ruth and Gerry.