Social Workers Union votes to explore possibility of split from BASW

Social Workers Union members have voted in favour of exploring the possibility of separating from its longstanding partner, the British Association of Social Workers (BASW), at a recent Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The AGM, held online in September, saw a motion to consider ‘SWU Independence from BASW’.

“This AGM calls on SWU members to support the SWU Executive to begin to consider the possibilities of creating SWU as a standalone union without a partnership with BASW. This would enable SWU to explore a cost-effective union and association for our members at a substantially reduced price. Our affiliation and the enhanced membership support from the General Federation of Trade Unions would continue,” the motion proposed.

The motion, proposed by SWU Vice Chair, Chrissie Beatty, and seconded by Chair, Dave Callow, passed with 52% of attending members voting in favour of the motion, 33% against and 15% abstaining.

Chrissie, adding a comment to the motion [read by SWU General Secretary John McGowan], said: “Having been involved with SWU since 2018 I know how passionately SWU cares about its members, their treatment, working conditions, wider social work issues and social work justice.

“These are challenging times for social work and social workers and SWU is committed to serving its members in the best way possible. Our success has come to align to the success of BASW and while, as trade unionists we believe we are stronger together, BASW’s recruitment and retention and current internal challenges could risk potential growth of SWU in providing a strong trade union to you all and it would not be in the best interest of our members if we did not at least try to explore what a future without BASW would look like.”

Ahead of the motion, a comment from BASW Chair, Julia Ross, stated she was “very proud of the partnership between BASW and SWU for the past 14 years,” adding that she was “therefore surprised to read this motion proposing separation and intent for SWU to set up in competition.”

“Social work and social workers need more collaboration and not more division. I will therefore be voting against this motion and urge others to do the same in the best interests of our profession.”

SWU Chair Dave Callow clarified ahead of the vote that the motion was not to signal its intention to separate from BASW, but rather to “consider the future and what the future may look like”.

“At this moment, our progress and presence are closely tied to BASW’s; and while we firmly believe in the strength of unity, SWU’s ability to continue delivering trade union support is our priority.

“When we consider how far SWU has come since our formation in 2011 and the influence we have within the General Federation of Trade Unions, it’s only responsible that we begin to consider what the future might hold for SWU as a specialist trade union as the profession evolves in an ever-changing society.

“Our priority must and always will be our members – that means exploring all possibilities.”

Current SWU rules require 51% of members in attendance voting for a motions for it to be successful, with the motion to explore the possibility of SWU’s independence from BASW gaining approval from 52% members.

Commenting on the motion, John McGowan, General Secretary of SWU confirmed the motion was 'not an attempt at an immediate separation from BASW' and that the association has a lot to offer BASW as a partner trade union.

"It was a motion to seek permission from the membership to explore future options for SWU to ensure we are always working in the best interests of SWU members. The findings would then be put before the SWU Executive to enable a discussion to take place.

"The motion was created by more than 10 SWU members which is our requirement and was delivered and supported by SWU Chair and SWU Vice Chair due to the importance of the content.

"As part of our ongoing partnership with BASW, we are currently looking at revising the terms of our co-operation agreement with them, again to ensure we are best serving our members'.

The passed motion comes amid wider turmoil within BASW, following the departure of its longstanding CEO Ruth Allen, alongside three of its four country managers.

Following a restructure, Professor Sam Baron, Interim CEO BASW will be leading BASW’s nation teams in Wales and England and Dr Jane Shears will lead the nation teams of Northern Ireland and SASW.

The changes mean that BASW has lost staff admired and respected across the sector, including former National Directors Maris Stratulis (BASW England), Carolyn Ewart (BASW Northern Ireland), and Alison Bavidge (SASW) and all of whom BASW says “have contributed significantly to BASW over some considerable years”.

Maris’s achievements over the nearly 12 years in the role include increasing awareness of social work’s role in disasters, leading the first national pilot of this bespoke field of training for social workers, plus landmark campaigns on social work issues, including Homes not Hospitals and the 80:20 campaign for relationship-based social work.

Taking up the role during the Covid-19 pandemic, Alison meanwhile championed successful campaigns to improve bursary funding for postgraduate students, establishing the first ever Cross-Party parliamentary group for social work at Holyrood, advocating for vastly better working conditions through the One Deal for Social Work campaign.

Similarly, Carolyn's “tireless commitment, passion, and professionalism” was said to have shaped policy, advanced practice, and “ensured that members have had a strong, credible advocate in the most challenging of times.”