BASW Membership – Answering your questions!

Hi Kev! Before we get into it, could you explain what our Membership Team do?

Glad to be speaking to you! So, our membership team effectively manages the day-to-day running of our membership offer to social workers, supporting members with everything from updating, changing, or renewing their membership to ensuring that all members get the most out of the membership package they have with us. 

Thanks! First question then – what is the portal and how do I login to it?

The BASW Portal gives you access to the full range of exclusive member benefits and services, and also enables you to manage your preferences, such as what email communications you get from us and ensuring that your contact details are up-to-date. The login is located in the top right-hand corner of BASW’s homepage. 

Scenario 1 - You have not logged into the BASW portal since 1st August 2024:

1. Go to the BASW website
2. Click 'Login'
3. Click 'Forgot your password'
4. Enter the email address previously used with BASW
5. Click 'Send verification code' – If no verification received, please check your junk / spam e mail folders
6. Enter the verification code received via e-mail and click 'Verify Code'
7. Click 'Continue'
8. Set / create a password 
9. Click 'Continue'
10. The password has been set, and you should be logged into your account.

Scenario 2 - You have never logged into a BASW membership portal:

1. Go to the BASW website
2. Click 'Login'
3. Click 'Create a BASW guest account'
4. Complete the required details, if you have engaged with us in the past, use the same email address. If you no longer have access to the email address previously used, see the steps of the next scenario.
5. Click 'Register'
6.  You will then receive an email with a link to verify registration

Scenario 3

If you need to change your primary email address with BASW please send your request to: membership@basw.co.uk and once you have received confirmation that your email address has been updated, you can then follow the appropriate log in scenario above.

That step-by-step process is really handy. And what can I do when I’m in my BASW account?

This is the fun bit! Your portal helps you to navigate your membership and access benefits. For example, once you’re logged in, you can visit our events page where you can browse upcoming training opportunities and benefit from membership discounts. You can also access your CPD records by selecting ‘member home’ from the blue toolbar, then selecting ‘my events’. You can record your CPD by selecting my member services, then my professional development. Click the pink ‘add professional development’ button to record your CPD.

Other common benefits include our support page – which holds everything from coaching services available for booking to practice resources you can download – and there’s also our groups and networks tab for those looking to get more involved with BASW’s activities and connect with fellow members through different forums.

Talking about benefits, I bet you get asked about insurance a lot?

Yes, insurance protection is an important aspect of the membership packages we offer, covering not only our working members and independent practitioners, but also providing placement insurance for our student members and run-off insurance protection for our non-working members.  

Professional indemnity insurance covers anyone who provides a professional service who may have claims brought against them by a client. This cover would come into effect should your social work be called into question and/or you are sued for malpractice.  The professional indemnity insurance cover begins when you join BASW (within a working category) and remains in place as long as you keep your BASW membership current and up to date.

Public liability insurance covers those only with the Independent Plus element of membership who provide a professional service who may have claims brought against them by a client/s in relation to accident, damage or injury caused during the pursuance of their role.

We do get a lot of requests from members asking for their current insurance certification and a letter confirming their BASW membership.  These are available via the membership portal once you have logged in and accessed your current membership record.  Do remember to check your spam folders if your request for certificates does not appear to come through to your in box.  And of course, if you run into any difficulties, you can contact our membership team here.

What about access to other workplace protections?

The BASW / SWU Advice and Representation team are a team of qualified social workers who provide specialist professional and regulatory help. Check out our Advice and Representation web pages.

It is always advisable to get in touch with us early with any concerns – the earlier you get in touch the sooner the team can support you.

You also have access to 55 guidance sheets produced by the team from day one of your membership, so I’d definitely recommend saving these as you never know when you might need them. They contain advice and guidance to support with navigating a whole range of different and complex workplace situations and regulatory processes.

This seems as good a place as any to ask what the difference between BASW and The Social Workers Union (SWU) is? 

Sure thing, but it’s probably simpler if you record me for this bit as it’ll be easier for me to explain directly! 

Thanks Kev, we couldn’t have said it better! When it comes to joining and renewing then, how does that work?

Membership fees can be paid monthly or annually via Direct Debit or you can opt to pay for a full year's membership via a credit or debit card by contacting our membership team here or by calling 0121 622 8401. Our monthly direct debits are collected on the 15th of each month, or the following Monday should this date fall at the weekend.  At present, you cannot select an alternative debit date. Find out renewal information here. 

If you need to update your payment details, please contact the membership team by calling 0121 622 8401. For data protection and security reasons we urge members not to provide any bank details via email.  

And finally, what if I’m retiring? Can I still remain a BASW member?

Of course! BASW is a tight-knit community and we know how important it is for our members to stay involved and connected to each other and the profession, even in retirement. Some of our members have been part of BASW for over fifty years!

For those existing members reaching retirement, we do have other membership options, including one for retired members and people who are not in remunerative employment.  In addition, based on continuous and unbroken membership, both of these options provide run off insurance, protecting you for the work that you undertook whilst in a working category of membership with BASW.  

Pleasure speaking to you Kev – keep up the great work!