BASW rejoins college of social work development group

The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) has rejoined the official development group for the national college of social work following its suspension last month.

The professional body was barred from joining the meetings of the development group after it decided to ballot members on the need for a more independent UK-wide college.

Allan Bowman, chair of the college of social work development group, said: “Everyone in the Development Group is pleased to welcome BASW back and all parties look forward to working together to develop the college of social work. We are all committed to improving support for social work and are keen to encourage all stakeholders, including BASW members, to participate in the UK-wide consultation about the future college being launched on 18 May.”

Yesterday, BASW announced that 89 per cent of its members had voted in favour of an independent, UK-wide college of social work and said it hopes to work with politicians and the official development group to see this come about.

Fran Fuller, UK chair of BASW, said: “BASW is fully committed to the success of a college of social work in England and we are determined to bring our democratic credibility and independence to ensure its success.

“BASW members must be an integral part of the development of a college across the UK and we are delighted to be working with the college to help ensure the thousands of social workers that voted in our referendum have a very early opportunity to join a college.”