SWAN is a network of social work practitioners, academics, students and social welfare service users united in their concern that social work activity is being undermined by managerialism and marketisation, by the stigmatisation of service users and by welfare cuts and restrictions.

SWAN promotes a model of social work and social care practice which is rooted in the value of social justice. This model seeks to advocate alongside, and on behalf of, service users and carers. It values both individual relationship-based practice and collective approaches.

It works towards these objectives through regular conferences and campaigning activities, and to strengthen the radical voice within social work practice, education and wider social policy debates.

SWAN works alongside existing social care, service user and carer organisations, including UNISON, to promote strong collective organisation and, wherever possible, to campaign jointly.

Personalisation Networking Meeting - Tuesday 7th February 10am

Personalisation Networking Meeting

UNISON / Defend Glasgow's Services Campaign / Social Work Action Network are hosting a joint meeting to discuss the impact of personalisation on people who receive support in the community.

Support Barnet social workers striking against privatisation

In advance of the SWAN London 'Privatisation and social care' seminar on Saturday 4th February in Holloway, London, SWAN London hears that Barnet social workers are taking courageous action against the privatisation of their Adult Duty service next week (9th February) - please see a message from Barnet Unison below.

Statement on closure of the Southampton social Work course

During this period of severe economic and social hardship, it is imperative that public, and in particular social care services, are maintained and strengthened. The reality is that, be it in adult’s or children’s services, as a society we are facing growing levels of complex care needs. And if we are to respond to this challenge, above all we need have the highest quality workforce possible.

Social Work Manifesto.

Social work in Britain today has lost direction. We need to find more effective ways of resisting the dominant trends within social work and map ways forward for a new engaged practice…

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History.

SWAN developed from the Social Work Manifesto written in 2004. It launched a popular defence of social work in the aftermath of the Baby Peter tragedy in 2008. It continues to hold successful conferences and campaigns; the 7th national SWAN conference will be held in Liverpool in March 2012.

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SWAN Conference 2012

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Change the course of social work

The next SWAN national conference is the seventh. It takes place in Liverpool at Hope University on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st March 2012. We will regularly update the SWAN website with information about speakers and booking. You can find these pages in the Conference 2012 section. Please also see the Liverpool Hope University Website for further information about booking.

SWAN is proud to announce that the key note address will be given by Professor Danny Dorling from the University of Sheffield. Danny has recently written two books that look at the impact of the recession and the Government’s austerity measures on Britain’s poor communities. 'So you think you know about Britain?' and 'Bankrupt Britain: An Atlas of Social Change' both provide detailed analysis of growing levels of inequality across Britain and build on his earlier work 'Injustice' to argue that a different world and a different set of Government priorities are necessary.