BASW is the Professional Association for Social Workers in the United Kingdom. We seek
to promote best practice in social work and to secure the well-being of social workers.
BASW is frequently asked to explain the position of the social work profession on current
issues. These position statements seek to explain positions that we express on issues
that arise frequently. They comprise statements in bold and commentary in italics. The
commentary seeks to reflect our Code of Ethics, the views of our members expressed
through our democratic structures, and our understanding of social work internationally as
a practice-based profession and an academic discipline.
BASW expects social workers to act at all times in accordance with the Code of Ethics for
Social Workers, and provides support to help them to do so.
This position statement is about clarifying the key principles underlying good practice in
social work with people who are dying and their families: and the societal and legal
context needed to underpin this practice. It also has relevance for all social workers,
particularly those working with older people and those severely disabled or ill, including
those with mental health issues.
1. The time when a person is dying and their death is one of great significance to
them and all their family and friends. It is essential that social workers should fully
adhere to their code of ethics and provide sensitive, consistent, evidence-based
social work support to all concerned.
Commentary Social work practice is based on the recognition of the equal, inherent worth
and value of all people (BASW Code of Ethics p5). Social workers may practice in
specialist settings such as hospices and hospitals, or may encounter the need to support
those who are dying in any other services, including children’s services. Good quality
palliative care is holistic, based on enabling the person who is dying to have a good quality
of life, recognising their individual spiritual, emotional, cultural, medical and practical
needs.
Surveys on public attitudes to death indicate most people want to be surrounded by loved
ones (83%) and to be pain-free (78%) (Presentation by Preth Rao, Head of Policy and
