What does the future hold for social work and BASW?

About this episode

The episode discusses the future of social work in the UK, addressing current challenges and predictions for the profession.

Let’s Talk Social Work is kickstarting 2026 with a broad episode exploring the state of the profession in the UK. Host Jonny Adamson is joined by BASW Interim Chief Executive, Professor Sam Baron, BASW England Acting Chair, Shantel Thomas, and Professional Officer at the Scottish Association of Social Work, Susan Dobson for a frank discussion on the challenges currently facing social work, their vision for the profession, and BASW’s role within it all given that the professional association is currently holding its own ‘Big Conversation’. They cover a number of topical issues affecting social workers and wider society – including working conditions, social work’s identity, political activism, adult social care, and the growing hostility caused by the far right. As well as focusing on the here and now, the guests also make their predictions for the year ahead as they reflect on the question - should we be feeling worried or hopeful? Overall, this unique episode tees us up perfectly for many of the topics we’re likely to consider in greater depth on the podcast in 2026, while also hopefully sparking important conversations and debate across the social work profession today. Thanks…

People in this episode

Host: Jonny Adamson

Guests: Professor Sam Baron, Shantel Thomas, Susan Dobson

Topics covered

• future of social work
• BASW
• working conditions
• social work identity
• political activism
• adult social care
• far right hostility

Keywords

• social work
• BASW
• UK
• profession
• challenges
• political activism
• adult social care
• far right

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BASW, Scottish Association of Social Work, BeHeard Production

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