Membership of Special Interest Groups (SIG) are open to members of the IASW. The SIGs highlight priority issues for social work and for the IASW. They identify training needs as well as providing information which is fed back to the Board. Learn more about SIG's and explore content relating to each group by selecting from the list below. If you are interested in joining a SIG, or want to get involved, please email administrator@iasw.ie
Ageing (SIGA) is currently closed. If you wish to assist in re-establishing the SIG, please contact the office at administrator@iasw.ie.
Our thanks to Deirdre McNally, Sally Veale, Philip O’Reilly, and all of the SIG members for their time and dedication.
Children & Families (C&F)
C&F is involved in all matters relating to the service provided to children and families in Community Social Work.
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Disability (SWID)
SWID was formed for social workers with an interest in the area of disability services. SWID represents issues for social workers in physical and sensory, ID and neurological conditions and crosses acute to community services. SWID is a SIG for any social worker working in these areas as well as social workers who have an interest in or come into contact with disability services.
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Foster Care (SWIFC)
SWIFC aims to provide a forum for Social Workers engaged in the area of Foster Care, to express relevant professional perspectives and to advocate on behalf of children in Foster Care.
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Adult Mental Health (SWAMH)
SWAMH aims to support colleagues, promote best practice in the interest of service users through CPD events, sharing information and contributing to national mental health policy and developments.
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Primary Care (SWIPC)
Primary care social workers who are coming together to provide a forum for learning and information sharing with a view to enhancing our roles in primary care across the country
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Adult Safeguarding and Protection (ASaP)
The group for all adults to be safeguarded with equal access to protection across Ireland and supported within the code of conduct and ethics, law, policy, regulations and standard of best professional social work practice for social justice, and to promote and protect human rights.
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Anti-Racism Advisory Group (ARAG)
The ARAG’s mission is to raise awareness of the negative impact of Racism in Social Work highlighting how Racism has no place in a profession which purports to have human rights and Social Justice as its core practice principles.
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Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS)
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health service (CAMHS) special interest group provides a national forum for social workers working in CAMHS or interested in this area of work. We meet and discuss issues of relevance, contribute to relevant national policy, facilitate CPD, and have representation on relevant national groups.
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Head Medical Social Workers (HMSW)
HMSW provides a forum for the development and implementation of best standards among medical social workers in Ireland. The group also functions as an information exchange among heads of departments, as well as lobbying on issues relating to our client group and finally as a support to Head Medical Social Workers in their work.
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Retired Social Workers Social Group
For retired social workers to enage with others in the peer group through social enagements.
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