The British Association of Social Workers has launched a consultation on the future of social work and BASW itself.
It said its 'Big Conversation' was designed to help build a "modern, dynamic and ambitious BASW" that was "fit for the future", bring the profession together to tackle the challenges it faces and set a "positive and sustainable" vision for social work across the UK.
The initiative was trailed in the autumn after BASW slimmed down its leadership team in response to financial pressures.
'Strengthening social work's collective voice'
Explaining the rationale for the Big Conversation, BASW's interim chief executive, Sam Baron, said it was about "strengthening [the profession's] collective voice at a time of change and turbulence for social workers".
"As the UK's largest professional association for social work, BASW is committed to serving our hard-working members, championing the profession in all we do, and fighting for a fairer society," she added.
"The Big Conversation will help us to be even sharper in each of these areas and I'm looking forward to hearing everyone's views over the coming months."
Survey on social work and BASW
The initiative starts with a survey, open to practitioners and anyone with an interest in social work, whether or not they are members of BASW.
This asks questions about current pressures on, and challenges facing, social work, public perceptions of the profession, working conditions - including how many additional hours practitioners are working per week - job security and satisfaction and future career plans.
It also poses questions about BASW itself, including non-members' reasons for not joining, for example, in relation to the affordability of membership fees and whether they see the association as representative of their views or interests.
Five-year plan
The survey, which is open until 6 January 2026, will be followed by qualitative research, such as focus groups, discussions organised through BASW's existing networks and a concluding event in March, to coincide with World Social Work Month.
BASW will then collate the views it has gathered and publish its findings, alongside a five-year plan, in June 2026.
