“Working together we can, and will, thrive” says new BASW Chair Julia Ross

Julia Ross is announced as the new Chair of the British Association of Social Workers (BASW).

Julia is a longstanding member of BASW, first joining after finishing her generic training between 1970 and 1972 after an initial career in nursing.

Julia has had a long career as a social worker in London and Scotland, before progressing into management and holding leadership roles including joint Director of Social Services and CE of Barking and Dagenham Primary Care Trust.

“I am absolutely delighted to be elected as the forthcoming BASW chair," said Julia. "It is an enormous privilege and honour."

"I’m really looking forward to working with the membership, executive team, honorary officers and people with lived experience to forge ahead as a true team.

"These are difficult and challenging times – but by working together we can, and will, thrive.”

Recently Julia published Call the Social – a memoir of her 40 years in social work. In the book, which is freely available to all BASW members, Julia recounts her journey, the real-life stories and people she has met along the way, that make social work such a rich, complex and unique profession.

In her election statement, Julia said: “As Chair of BASW, I promise to work tirelessly for justice within our society and diverse communities, building on the excellent work achieved already. I will continuously promote social work as a profession, together with people who have experience of social work and their families.

"Drawing on my experience across Scotland and England, I will ensure that social work is better understood, both so that people get a better experience and so that our membership will flourish.

“I promise strong, integrated, outward-looking leadership, which takes place at all levels in BASW and engages confidently with other professions.”

BASW Chief Executive Ruth Allen said she was “absolutely delighted” to welcome Julia to the role of BASW Chair.

We have had a really positive and engaging election campaign, which included our other excellent candidate, Diana Harris. I would also like to extend my thanks to Diana for her involvement in the campaign too.

“Julia brings a wealth of knowledge and experience which will be vital in supporting the ambitions of BASW for the future - and I am looking forward to working with her leadership."

Julia will take over from existing Chair Gerry Nosowska at the BASW Annual General Meeting, which is being held on 17 June 2022 at the University of Birmingham.

The appointment follows an election process which closed on 23 April 2022, which included a live online hustings event with both Julia and the other candidate for the post, Diana Harris.

Current BASW chair, Gerry Nosowska added: "I am delighted that our members had two excellent candidates in this election and wish our new chair Julia every success.”