BASW slams College of Social Work membership debate

Association says that initiative from its former partner to attract prospective members is ‘patronising’

An initiative by the College of Social Work to attract prospective members, in advance of its launch on 3 January next year, has been condemned by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW).

The college said it is planning a “big debate” on the main qualities needed to be a good social worker and how can these can be nurtured and developed. This will highlight a number of key words associated with social work in the 21st century, starting with ‘knowledge’, and include blogs by leading social work professionals who will give their views on the issues and ways that the college can support people in the frontline.

Maurice Bates, the interim co-chair of the College of Social Work, said: “Opening up this debate with the profession will help us to ensure that we prioritise what matters most to our prospective members.”

However, a spokesman for BASW, which has 14,000 members across the UK, told Guardian Social Care Network: “We profoundly regret yet another example of the publicly-funded college setting itself up in opposition to an independent, social worker led-professional association in contravention of the agreement which it signed with BASW less than five months ago.

“Instead of being presented with a series of patronising ‘key words’, social work will be better served if the interim board of the College of Social Work comes back to the table to resolve any issues which it seems to have with us, ahead of our AGM in two weeks time while our members still have the opportunity to vote on merger rather than division.”

The college is currently accepting prospective members before opening its doors to full membership in January.

It said that the benefits of membership will include a helpdesk offering professional practice information and advice and the offer of joint membership of Unison for employed social workers.

BASW has previously expressed disappointment at being excluded from the development of the college.