SWU was pleased to sponsor the second UK Diaspora Social Work conference, planned and delivered by the BASW Diaspora Social Workers Special Interest Group (SIG) on July 10th, 2025.
This unique conference was held this year at the University of Wolverhampton. A member of the university’s school of Health and Wellbeing stated that of the 25,000 students at the university, one quarter are of the global majority and represent over 130 countries. The university is proud of the diversity international students bring, and that 2 out of 3 new students are the first generation of their families to attend university.
Certainly, a suitable place to hold an event to recognize and celebrate the eclecticism of diaspora social workers and their unwavering commitment and accomplishments working in practice, studying, mentoring peers, researching, writing journal papers, delivering education and training, and advocating for each person they know who will face the same stressors and similar challenges of relocating to a new country.
Anstance Fometu introduced the day and the speakers for this consistently inspiring conference:
- Dr Ruth Allen, British Association of Social Workers (BASW) CEO
- Sarah McClinton, Chief Social Worker for Adults and Mental Health Social Work
- Susan Dobson, Professional Officer at the Scottish Association of Social Workers (SASW)
- Dr Linda Harms-Smith, Research Associate and Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Pretoria
- Dr Echo Yeung, Associate Professor in Research in Social Work at the University of Hertfordshire
- Teresea Barnett-Asamoah, social work student
- MP Janet Daby sent her support from Parliament
We celebrate diaspora as leaders and visionaries for justice.
Priya David’s opening introductory speech as Co-Chair of the Diaspora Social Workers SIG was powerful, invigorating, and outlined the aims for the day to bring together voices of courage and strength that have the fortitude to rise in solidarity.
One-third of new starters in social work, of 130,000 in England, come from abroad. Many will be much more likely to experience lack of support at work, lack of welcome in communities, and face career stagnation as the full package of systemic injustice is weighted more upon them than white peers.
Co-Chair of the Diaspora Social Workers SIG Susanne Machin-Autenrieth emboldened the reality: the diaspora social workers are the backbone of our workforce… the insider-outsider perspective is a unique strength. Having the ability to observe situations with more curiosity due to heightened senses in a new environment, and an openness to learning and sharing, humility a level ground with people they work with, highly skilled relational social work practitioners.
With the day’s intentions of celebration in mind the fact that diaspora social workers are still coming to the UK – despite what is now a deranged immigration policy going far beyond the dystopian nightmares of George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, Ray Bradbury and Philip K Dick forewarned of – is to be admired and honoured. Diaspora social workers are much more likely to face volatile and hostile environments at work with the public and social work contemporaries; it is key for us all to acknowledge this sacrifice among many others they make on leaving their homes and most things familiar and comforting behind. This sacrifice and courage is to be admired, coming to a hostile environment reinforced by overarching systemic barriers.
We had not even made it to the morning plenary speakers by this stage!
BASW CEO Ruth Allan thanked the Diaspora SIG for the pivotal role they play and their groundbreaking influence. Challenging systemic racism is important work for us all, as social workers. We share values collectively… this is our universal language. We need to drive innovation and change together, to assume responsibility, we struggle and work together for change that embeds anti-racism in workplaces. Inclusive and fair working environments are needed, and we all share that responsibility.
The Social Care Workforce Race Equality Standard (SC-WRES) provides a framework for tackling inequities through measurement of metrics and responsive action planning.
The BASW Diaspora SIG, British Association of Social Workers (BASW), and Social Workers Union (SWU) will be present for a forthcoming review of the SC-WRES. Updates on this will be shared when possible.
Susan Dobson from the Scottish Association of Social Work (SASW) brought us up to date with the progress being made with Scottish Government support since their 2021 report Racism in Scottish Social Work. SASW set out the need to consider the varying forms in which racism occurs, how it may take form depending on the place and local history or cultural contexts and current interactions. Religious sectarianism was listed as a primary source of bigotry in Scotland and has had a divisive influence over generations. An anti-racism learning resource is in production with the intention that racism should be eradicated.
Chief Social Worker Sarah McClinton closed the morning plenary, sharing her experiences of transforming lives with people living with HIV in the 1980s and the stigmatisation rife at this time. She spoke of the complexities of our jobs, building relationships in difficult circumstances, and that our professional workforce needs support to deliver higher standards, but policy needs to connect with the realities of how we support people.
Racism may show up differently across our nations and localities, or indeed within our organisations but there should be a uniform response. We all must share the responsibility to see it, not look away, and address it. We can commit to supporting and empowering others to do this through enterprise and dedication collectively with guidance from the SC-WRES, our professional bodies BASW and SASW, and our trade unions.
The Diaspora Social Workers SIG calls on the social work sector
Diaspora and overseas-qualified social workers make up over 10% of the UK workforce. We bring global skills, cultural wisdom, and lived experience. Yet too often we face racism, illegal recruitment fees, housing insecurity, and limited progression.
We are not waiting to be seen. We are building change:
✅ Shaping recruitment policy
✅ Launching diaspora-led induction tools (now adopted in Oxfordshire)
✅ Challenging scrutiny fees
✅ Amplifying voices through podcasts, webinars & national forums
Now we call on the sector:
📣 Don’t just recruit diaspora social workers — support and retain us
📣 Don’t just listen once a year — partner with us every day
📣 Don’t wait — act with urgency
Because when diaspora social workers thrive, everyone benefits.
“We don’t want seats at the table just to be seen — we’re here to be heard, to lead, and to transform the table itself.”
We stood up. We spoke out. We moved the dial — together.
Photos from the event are available on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/basw-diaspora-social-workers-sig_overseas-social-workers-we-are-the-strength-activity-7353047543036923904-nAuu
More to come in “Part 2”!
You can also read SWU Assistant General Secretary Calum Gallacher reporting in 2024 on the first ever Diaspora Social Worker Conference in the UK, which was also sponsored by the SWU Campaign Fund.