Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
Special Interest Group (SIG) Network
The IASW is a collective of Volunteers! The key to a member’s organisation is the active engagement of members through the SIGs.
Membership of Special Interest Groups (SIG) are open to members of the IASW. The SIGs highlight priority issues for social work, they identify learning and development requirements, and bring the IASW to life through activities, networking events, and knowledge dissemination, as well as providing information which is fed back to the Board.
Reasons to join a SIG:
- Membership will help you meet the daily challenges facing Social Workers
- Looks good on your CV, networking opportunities, interact with fellow social workers who have similar interests
- Provides an opportunity to earn CPD credits
- Allows you to stay up to date with the latest news and developments in the profession
- Get essential advice and guidance to support you and the people and communities you work with
- Influence in lobbying stakeholders and social work employers
- Use your front-line practise to inform the IASW agenda and voice
Special Interest Groups
Members Only
Ageing (SIGA)
SIGA has been re-established as of Feb 2025! Contact the office today to join SIGA, administrator@iasw.ie
Children & Families (C&F)
C&F is involved in all matters relating to the service provided to children and families in Community Social Work.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Adult Safeguarding and Protection (ASaP)
A group ensuring all adults in Ireland have equal access to safeguarding and protection, supported by professional standards, ethics, law, policy and social work practice to promote social justice and human rights.
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.
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.
Head Medical Social Workers (HMSW)
HMSW promotes best practice, shares information between department heads, lobbies on client issues and supports Head Medical Social Workers.
Working Group
Mother Baby Home & Adoption
The MBHA WG was established as an action arising from the IASW apology on foot of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission Report in February 2021.
Social Group
Retired Social Workers Social Group
For retired social workers to enage with others in the peer group through social engagements.