The Social Workers Union is a registered Labour Union for Social work professionals and an organisational member of The British Association of Social Workers. The SWU reports 13,000 paid members in 2020. This union devoted to social workers was set up on 21 June 2011, triggered by research among BASW members that indicated it was difficult to work under tremendous pressure to deliver social services and to often be subjected to criticism in the media. and because SWU has a legal right for it’s A&R officers to attend and represent at disciplinary and grievance procedures unlike BASW, offering an extra layer of support for its members. SWU uses officers who are also qualified social workers to advocate and negotiate on behalf of social workers, both individually and collectively within the trade union movement and with employers. The SWU offers representation from a qualified Social Worker - someone who understands the competing demands placed on the employee and the Code of Conducts governed by the four regulators of social work in the United Kingdom.
Difference between SWU and BASW
Membership of the SWU is a benefit for members of BASW. Despite this link, the SWU is an independent Trade Union. The SWU, unlike a professional association, can enforce the legal entitlement of representation in employers’ hearings by SWU’s Trade Union Officials. The SWU offers practical representation and works with BASW to offer advice and representation before regulatory bodies. This combined approach, it is claimed, "provides the best protection and best advice for social workers from social workers." SWU is a member of the General Federation of Trade Unions, a group of 28 specialist unions with over 260,000 individual members. SWU members have access to the training provided by the GFTU . SWU campaigns with the GFTU and is represented on the GFTU’s National Executive by the General Secretary, currently John McGowan.
Formation and Leaders
The Social Workers Union was established on 21 June 2011. ‘Pursuant to the resolution by BASW Council on 21 June 2011, it was resolved by BASW to establish a trade union which is to be called "The Social Workers Union" and to adopt rules for such trade union’. There have been three General Secretary’s since this time:
Hilton Dawson: General Secretary – not elected but combined role of BASW Chief Executive Officer and SWU GS) 2011-2012
Bridget Robb: General Secretary – not elected but combined role of BASW Chief Executive Officer and SWU GS) 2013 - 2016
John McGowan: General Secretary – elected by the members until Sept 2021 as the first General Secretary independent of BASW employment 2016 – Present
2013 - 2nd Annual General Meeting of the Social Workers Union held at the Riverside Centre, Derby on Thursday 27 June 2013 commencing. Meeting took place directly after the BASW Conference.
2014 - 3rd Annual General Meeting of the Social Workers Union held on Tuesday 10 June 2014 at LSO St Luke’s, 161 Old Street, London. Meeting took place directly after the BASW Conference.
2015 - 4th Annual General Meeting of the Social Workers Union held on Wednesday 29 April 2015 at LSO St Luke’s, 161 Old Street, London. Meeting took place directly after the BASW Conference.
2016 - 5th Annual General Meeting of the Social Workers Union held at the Quakers Friends House, 173-177 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ on Friday 23 September 2016. Meeting took place directly after the BASW Conference.
2017 – SWU’s first Conference and AGM separate from BASW 6th Annual General Meeting of the Social Workers Union held at the Queen Elizabeth ll Conference Centre, Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, London SW1P 3EE on Friday 22 September 2017.
2018 – SWU Conference and AGM 7th Annual General Meeting of the Social Workers Union held at The Studio 7 Cannon Street, Birmingham, B2 5EP on Friday 21 September 2018.
2019 – SWU Conference and AGM 8th Annual General Meeting of the Social Workers Union held at The Mechanics Centre, 103 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 6DD on Friday 27 September 2019
Significant Campaigns
Boot out Austerity
The Boot out Austerity campaign, highlighted the impact of austerity on families. It saw 140 social workers and service users take part in a 100-mile walk from SWU’s head office in Birmingham to the 2017 AGM venue in Liverpool, marching against austerity measures. The walk had significant impact and generated national and regional media interest, engaging with key government ministers and MPs. Since then, BASW and SWU have launched a to encourage anti-austerity activity locally, regionally and nationally across the UK.
Working Conditions Campaign
BASW and SWU, in partnership with Bath Spa University are leading a campaign for improved working conditions for social workers. The latest research findings were launched in 2018. The campaign is ongoing and seeks to lobby Parliamentarians in Westminster, Holyrood and Cardiff Bay Parliaments. At a Westminster Parliamentary reception on 27 November 2018 over 20 MPs made a commitment at BASW/SWU’s parliament event to pledge their support for social workers The aims of the campaign are to build awareness of the research which shows that social workers are strongly engaged in their work and want the very best outcomes for people that use services, but they are hampered by poor working conditions and a lack of resources.
Austerity Action Group
The consists of SWU representatives, BASW representatives, academics and social service users from among the general public. It is committed to opposing the programme of austerity implemented by Conservative governments in Britain. The Group promotes Social Justice and campaigns for those disadvantaged members of society, social workers, other allied professions and agencies adversely affected by the government's economic policies.
Sorry we Missed You
SWU advised on some aspects of the Ken Loach movie ‘Sorry we Missed You’ written by Paul Laverty and were given credits in the film. The SWU were part of the ongoing campaign and awareness-raising issues as part of the movie’s release.
SWU Social Work's Six-Point Action Plan
363 social workers completed a new survey issued by the Social Workers Union to its members between 21-28 June 2020. Thereafter SWU have promoted the 6 point Action Plan through the media and contact with UK Politicians and Social Work Local Authorities
