BASW accounts reveal membership fall and £870,000 loss

The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) recorded a loss of £870,048 and a fall of almost 8% in membership during the year to September 2025, according to newly published accounts.

The accounts show that BASW had 20,433 members at the end of the financial year, down from 22,164 the previous year – a reduction of 1,731 members, or 7.8%.

BASW confirmed to Social Work Today that the membership figure covers all membership categories, rather than only full-rate qualified social workers. It has not provided a breakdown of the figure between qualified practitioners, students and other concessionary categories.

Membership income also fell during the year, from £5.12m in 2024 to £4.95m in 2025, while total turnover fell from £25.08m to £21.78m.

The accounts show that BASW moved from a surplus of £277,334 in 2024 to a loss of £870,048 in 2025. Administrative expenses were £22.76m, compared with £24.92m the previous year.

The organisation’s cash held in bank and in hand also fell from £2.61m to £1.92m over the year.

Despite the loss, independent auditors concluded that the use of the going concern basis of accounting was appropriate and said it had not identified any material uncertainties that could cast significant doubt on BASW’s ability to continue as a going concern for at least 12 months from the date the accounts were authorised.

The accounts were signed off by BASW’s board on 4 February 2026, but were filed at Companies House on 13 August, long after the statutory deadline of 30 June 2026.

BASW told Social Work Today that the delay was due to “an administrative delay in filing for Companies House” and said that “Processes have now been updated so that this doesn’t happen in the future.”

Despite this, the accounts for The BASW Trust, a separate charitable company controlled by BASW whose principal activity is “to carry out charitable projects as instructed by its parent undertaking” is still overdue on filing its accounts, and is due to be served with a First Gazette notice for compulsory strike-off on 1 September, according to Companies House. A BASW spokesperson said that the accounts had been filed and attributed the issue to delays in Companies House updating its records.

The main BASW accounts identify declining or stagnant membership as one of the principal risks facing BASW, warning that cost-of-living pressures could lead members to leave and that reduced or stagnant membership could have financial and reputational consequences.

The organisation says membership growth remains a business priority and outlines plans including retention campaigns, changes to its membership proposition and categories, and a recruitment and marketing campaign.

The accounts also set out plans for an organisational review and a 2025-2030 business plan, including a detailed review of activities, services, costs and income generation.

The figures come against a period of significant change for BASW, including the departure of Chief Executive Dr Ruth Allen in September 2025 after almost a decade in the role and an organisational restructure that saw its four National Directors (covering BASW England, SASW, BASW Northern Ireland and BASW Cymru) reduced to two.

BASW has subsequently said that its finances have stabilised. In June, amid the resignation of the entire BASW Northern Ireland Committee, the organisation told Social Work Today its finances were “stable and healthy” following difficult decisions made during the previous year.

Asked whether there had been any further rounds of redundancies or restructures since the September 2025 changes, and whether any further restructuring was planned, BASW did not directly answer the question, with a spokesperson saying “there will be changes to existing roles and creation of new roles”.

Instead, the organisation said it was preparing to launch a new vision following its “Big Conversation” with members and stakeholders, which began in January 2026 and concluded in the spring.

BASW said members and stakeholders had identified priorities including modernising services, having greater impact, speaking out “with a bolder voice” on issues affecting social work and social workers, and increasing support for social work practice through learning, development, resources and training.

“With a modernised approach, we are determined to deliver these ambitions and make BASW a bigger and stronger association for all members,” a BASW spokesperson said.

The publication of the significant loss comes ahead of the organisation’s Annual General Meeting next week on 3rd September, where it will welcome new Chair Priscilla Kurewa, who was elected by members earlier this month. Her priorities include membership growth, strengthening equality, equity, diversity and inclusion, reform, and developing a “Learning Organisation” culture.

Controversially, the AGM will debate a motion proposed by its Black Country Branch to censure the outgoing Chair Julia Ross CBE and Directors for “failure to provide members with adequate information, advice, consultation and meaningful dialogue” throughout its turbulent last year.

Asked about the motion, the organisation said: “In line with our Articles of Association, AGM motions must adhere to due process and be discussed and debated at the AGM.”

Adding to the organisation’s woes is a statement published online and signed by senior BASW alumni, including former Chief Executive Ian Johnston, former Chairs Serge Paul and Janet Foulds, and former National Director of Scotland and Global President of IFSW, Ruth Stark, which asks further questions about the organisation’s membership and financial position.