Events in the SWU calendar
SWU General Secretary elected as co-Vice President of the General Federation of Trade Unions
This is indeed good news for social work and for SWU to have such a key role within the GFTU.
SWU motions unanimously passed at the General Federation of Trade Union Conference
All three motions delivered by SWU at the GFTU’s 106th Biennial General Council Meeting were received positively and unopposed.
Learn more SWU motions unanimously passed at the General Federation of Trade Union Conference
The ‘Case for Change’ in Northern Ireland
Gerry Madden reflects on the BASW Northern Ireland and Social Workers Union event held in Derry on 2nd April 2025. “I was absolutely delighted recently to represent SWU at the launch of the BASW NI and SWU research report ‘The Case for Change’. This report is core to the ongoing campaign supported by both BASW…
SWU General Secretary John McGowan reflects on World Social Work Day
I am writing this blog after a wonderful day meeting with SWU and BASW members and other social work professionals at the busy COMPASS Event in Birmingham.
Learn more SWU General Secretary John McGowan reflects on World Social Work Day
SWU Assignment essay competition for World Social Work Day 2025
Social work students and apprentices get ready for the SWU Assignment 2025 with prizes of £500 for each winning entry!
Learn more SWU Assignment essay competition for World Social Work Day 2025
Talk to SWU on World Social Work Day 2025
This free workplace issues webinar on March 18th will answer your questions about health and safety challenges in social work. Do you ever think ‘this job is killing me’? Health and safety risks at work are not limited to extreme situations of physical danger or incidences of high risk of visible injury or fatality. Yes,…
Stand Up! Speak Out! – free online training series
This training series for resisting the Hostile Environment in Public Services covers a range of topics important for social work practice.
Learn more Stand Up! Speak Out! – free online training series
SWU Annual General Meeting 2025
Our upcoming AGM will be held on Friday 26th September 2025. This event is for SWU members only.
Anti-Racism and Anti-Fascism Rally 2024
SWU and SASW marched together under one banner to show that there is no room for racism or fascism in Scotland.
Talk to SWU at our free workplace issues webinar on 18 November 2024: Regulators and fitness to practice
This free session will outline differences between the UK social work regulators and explore how they approach ‘fitness to practice’ cases.
Make Equality Real campaign action call
Join the Make Equality Real campaign action call on 23rd October 2024 at 7pm on Zoom.
Why the decriminilasiation of sex work is a trade union issue
Decriminalization would allow sex workers to advocate for their rights more openly and safely.
Learn more Why the decriminilasiation of sex work is a trade union issue
SWU Executive Committee honours Angi Naylor for her contributions to the union and social work
Angi Naylor is a renown BASW / SWU activist, social worker, and folk singer who has been a member of the SWU Executive Committee since the union was formed.
A priority for Parliament – Free School Meals for All
Just a few weeks into a new Government, we’re doing everything in our power to spotlight the impact of child poverty on our communities.
Learn more A priority for Parliament – Free School Meals for All
GFTU launches new Education Programme for trade unionists and activists
This training is free for members of affiliated organisations such as SWU, including hotel stays and meals for the residential courses.
Learn more GFTU launches new Education Programme for trade unionists and activists
We are delighted to announce the winners of the SWU Assignment: World Social Work Day 2024 Essay Competition
Four social work students / apprentices have each won a prize of £500 for their outstanding essays on reflective supervision.
Reflective Supervision: A Best Practice Guide launched to international crowd of social workers in Edinburgh
Be sure to download your free copy of the Reflective Supervision Guide which is now available on the SWU website.
SWU and BNU to launch Reflective Supervision Guide
SWU and BNU have worked closely with social workers across the UK to develop a comprehensive approach to best practice for reflective supervision sessions.
Learn more SWU and BNU to launch Reflective Supervision Guide
GFTU launches the Make Equality Real campaign calling for the inclusion of socio-economic duty into the Equality Act 2010 and the end of austerity
Join us in calling on all political parties in Westminster to introduce the socio-economic duty of the Equality Act 2010 and help make austerity unlawful
SWU Conference – 27th April 2024, Manchester
Edith Till reflects on how the SWU Conference has inspired her and benefited her as a social work student.
SWU Conference 2024 – solidarity, activism, and social justice
Social workers, students, and trade unionists from across the UK gathered in Manchester to discuss activism and solidarity.
Learn more SWU Conference 2024 – solidarity, activism, and social justice
SWU Annual General Meeting 2024
Our upcoming AGM will be held online on Friday 27th September 2024 from 2– 4pm. This event is for SWU members only.
Austerity Action Group launches updated “Campaign Action Pack” at the SWU Conference in Manchester
SWU and BASW support the Campaign Action Pack and encourage social workers to make use of this brilliant and accessible resource.
SWU AGM 2023 Update: Motion 5 Digital Poverty
Angi Naylor brings you up to date with the Annual General Meeting (AGM) Motion 5 and asks for your support and action. “This AGM recognises that the Austerity Action Group (Boot Out Austerity Marches On) continues to identify and lobby with and on behalf of disadvantage groups and individuals whose lives have been blighted by…