Local authorities could be acting unlawfully in the way they handle their employees’ membership of an organisation that represents the social work profession, a professional association has claimed.
The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) said it was ‘concerned’ after hearing reports that membership of The College of Social Work (TCSW) was a required condition of employment.
BASW also said there had reports of social workers being automatically opted in to TCSW or there being an expectation on them to join.
In a letter to all local authority chief executives in England, BASW boss Bridget Robb wrote: ‘This is a concern to BASW, which has taken legal advice and understands that any provision that requires social workers to join TCSW would amount to an unlawful restraint of trade and, as such, is actionable.
‘Further, on the advice that we have received, we are concerned that any arrangement that involves the acquisition of large scale or corporate membership (to the exclusion of any other competing and/or alternative arrangements) may represent a contravention of the laws and regulations governing procurement and anti-competitive practices.
‘I would appreciate your urgent response to the questions above as I am sure you will recognise how important it is to clarify the situation for our members and other social workers employed by local authorities throughout England.’