British Association of Social Workers
The British Association of Social Workers is the largest professional association of registered social workers in the United Kingdom. The association has a members' code of ethics that outlines best social work practice and works to support social workers and care managers through education and resources. Headquartered in Birmingham, BASW has regional offices in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and North Wales .
History
BASW was formed in 1970 by the amalgamation of the Association of Child Care Officers, the Association of Family Case Workers, the Association of Psychiatric Social Workers, the Association of Social Workers, the Institute of Medical Social Workers, the Moral Welfare Workers' Association, and the Society of Mental Welfare Officers. These were all members of the Standing Conference of Organisations of Social Workers, which had been formed in 1962 to bring together the different branches of the profession and which was wound up on the formation of BASW. The Standing Conference of Organisations of Social Workers had been led by Kay McDougall from 1965. She led the Social Work department at the London School of Economics. She became the first member of the British Association of Social Workers. McDougall retired from her work that year.The chair of the new organisation was hospital almoner Enid Warren.