Resources focused on ethics, core values, human rights, and anti-discriminatory practice in social work, supporting the development of inclusive, and rights-based practice.
This page offers helpful resources for social workers to support their continuous professional development (CPD) and includes the following types of resources:
- research and Eevidence
- curated resources
- legislation
- policy, guidance, and standards
- ELearning
- services
- podcasts
- videos
- blogs
This library isn’t complete—it’s just a starting point to help you explore CPD options.
As a qualified social worker, it’s your responsibility to choose CPD activities that match your role, interests, and development goals. Talk to your manager or training team to plan your CPD. You can also contact your local authority’s workforce development team to learn about training opportunities in your area.
Please note: Most resources focus on social work in Wales, however some may refer to the laws and standards adopted in other UK nations.
These resources may be useful for:
- Student Social Workers – see also Social work students | Social Care Wales
- Qualified Social Workers – see also Continuing Professional Development (CPD) | Social Care Wales
- Managers and Leaders
- Social Work Educators
- Those returning to practice – see also Returning to social work practice | Social Care Wales
- Internationally qualified social workers – see also registering if you qualified outside the UK | Social Care Wales
Ethics
Policy/guidance/standards: The BASW Code of Ethics for Social Work
Policy/guidance/standards: Global Social Work Statement of Ethical Principles – International Federation of Social Workers
Overarching rights
Legislation The Human Rights Act | EHRC
Legislation equality-act-2010
Policy/guidance BASW Social Work and Human Rights: A Practice Guide
Legislation Freedom of Information Act 2000
Legislation The Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty… | Social Care Wales
Research and evidence Supporting people to make decisions about their care: an evidence summary - Social Care Wales
Children’s rights
Legislation Children's Rights - Children’s Commissioner for Wales
Elearning Legislation that supports a rights based approach… | Social Care Wales
Research/evidence Youth justice in the UK - a rights-based analysis - UNICEF UK
Policy/legislation Standards for children in the youth justice system 2019 (accessible version) - GOV.UK
People seeking asylum and refugees
Policy/guidance Refugee and asylum seeker plan (nation of sanctuary) | GOV.WALES
Disability and mental health related rights
Legislation definition-of-disability-under-equality-act-2010
Legislation Disability Discrimination Act 2005
Legislation Disability rights: Overview - GOV.UK
Legislation Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018
Curated resources Information and support | Understanding legal rights | Mind - Mind
Legislation Mental health care for adults and children | Law Wales
Anti racist practice
Video Getting comfortable with discomfort: anti-racism… | Social Care Wales
Podcast Promoting anti-racism in social work & society - Let's Talk Social Work
Curated resources racial-trauma resources - Ace hub Wales
Research/evidence Anti-racist social work in practice | Research in Practice
Policy/guidance Anti-racist Wales Action Plan: 2024 update [HTML] | GOV.WALES
Curated resources Anti-Racism Resources - BASW England | BASW
Curated resources Expressions of self: supporting minoritised children’s identity | Research in Practice
Older peoples’ rights
Legislation/curated resources Older people's Rights - Older People’s Commissioner for Wales
Curated resources Discrimination and rights | Age UK
LGBTQIA+ rights
Policy/guidance LGBTQ+ Action Plan for Wales | GOV.WALES
Curated resources Older LGBTQ+ people and social care
Understanding inequality and discrimination
Research and evidence Building trust with marginalised families evidence summary - Social Care Wales
Research/evidence What Are Health Inequalities? | The King's Fund
eLearning Elearning HEIW- Health Inequalities[CT1]
Podcast Podcast: intersectionality in social work practice | NSPCC Learning
Research/evidence Home | Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Research/evidence Poverty, social inequality and domestic abuse: The impact on children | BASW
Research Inequality in a Future Wales - Future Generations Wales
Policy/research Wellbeing of Wales, 2024: main points [HTML] | GOV.WALES
Policy/research Workforce Race Equality Standard | Social Care Wales
Research/evidence LGBTQ+ facts and figures | Stonewall
Research/evidence LGBT in Wales - Hate Crime and Discrimination | Stonewall
Guidance SCIE- Tackling inequalities in care for people with learning disabilities and autistic people