General Election: BASW's Manifesto for Social Work
 

BASW will be compiling the Manifesto based on six core principles.

Please give us your perspective on the following points to help us shape A Manifesto for Social Work:

1. Support for social work the profession

The need for new legislation and amendments to statutory guidance to ensure a College of Social Work is at the heart of decision making about…
• Standards for entry to the profession
• Standards required of employers
• The career structure and employment of social workers.
• Qualifications and continuing professional development.

2. The fair and equitable distribution of resources

The need for legislation and guidance to ensure that vulnerable groups receive the highest priority and protection from cuts in public services – a major issue as political parties compete for who will make the deepest cuts in the deficit.

3. Fair access to public services

The need to amend the law on hospital discharges to allow social workers to delay discharges for one week if the discharge arrangements are unsafe. Too often we hear of how the priorities of the health system override the social care needs of the patient.

4. Recognition of the rights and duties of individuals, families and communities

The need for a greater recognition of the huge range of people across the country living in constituencies where they are actively supported by social workers on a regular or occasional basis. MPs and political leaders urgently need to recognise the involvement of social workers in the lives of so many people as a failure to do so will inevitably mean a failure to adequately resource our invaluable work.

5. Equal treatment and protection under the law

The need for amendments to legislation to give children equal protection from assault as adults and remove such concepts as ‘reasonable punishment’ and ‘justifiable assault’.

6. Social development and environmental management in the interests of present and future human welfare.

The need to ensure that international development budgets have a clear focus on meeting the needs of the poorest communities affected by a range of development issues, including global warming. Respect for human rights and sound social work principles is vital to successful interventions with people in developing countries facing an array of challenges, including those who may have to confront the potential consequences of rising sea levels.

7. Finally, please tell us your absolute priorities for what you feel must be included in A Manifesto for Social Work, which BASW will use to lobby and campaign in the corridors of power.


A Manifesto for Social Work must include: