Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
Special Interest Group (SIG) Network
The IASW Special Interest Group Network brings social workers together around shared areas of practice, expertise and professional interest.
Our Special Interest Groups (SIGs) help shape the work of the Association. They inform advocacy, contribute to policy positions, identify CPD needs, support professional networks and influence the events, resources and initiatives that matter most to members.
Whether you want to stay connected with colleagues, share knowledge, strengthen your practice or help influence the future direction of social work, there is a SIG for you.
Join Your Special Interest Group Today
Connect with colleagues, contribute your expertise and help shape the profession.
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
Why Join a Special Interest Group?
- Build Your Professional Community
- Influence Advocacy and Policy
- Shape CPD and Events
- Share Knowledge and Expertise
- Strengthen the Profession
How Special Interest Groups Work
Special Interest Groups are designed to fit around busy professional lives.
Meetings
Groups meet four times each year, with most meetings taking place online. Some groups may organise occasional in person gatherings where practical and beneficial.
Membership
All IASW members can join a SIG. You do not need to work within a specific discipline, service area or setting to participate. Members are encouraged to explore groups that reflect their interests, future career aspirations or areas where they would like to broaden their knowledge.
Representation Opportunities
Many organisations, agencies and national groups seek social work representation. As a SIG member, you’ll receive a weekly email bulletin sharing opportunities to contribute your expertise, join consultations, sit on advisory groups and ensure the social work perspective is heard.
How to Join a Special Interest Group
Joining a SIG is quick and easy.
Step 1
Log in to your IASW member profile.
Step 2
Navigate to the Groups tab within your profile.
Step 3
Browse the available Special Interest Groups and select the groups most relevant to your area of practice or professional interest.
Step 4
Save your selections and start connecting with your professional community.
Special Interest Groups
Members Only
Ageing (SIGA)
Social Workers in Ageing (SIGA) provides a professional forum for social workers working with older persons in a variety of settings to promote the highest standards of professional practice while advocating for continuous improvement in service delivery. Social workers are always welcome at SIGA meetings and we have many retired social workers who continue to contribute their time and knowledge.
Children & Families (C&F)
Children & Families (C&F) group objective is to support and advocate for social workers in their role ensuring that children and their families are offered appropriate, timely and human rights centred care from the social work profession, in line with our professional principals and ethics
Disability (SWID)
Social Workers in Disability SWID is a forum for social workers involved in any area of disability services. Membership consists of practitioners from Children’s Network Disability Teams, adult disability services, Hospitals such as the NRH and voluntary agencies. SWID also has two subgroups, Progressing Disability Services & Adult Disability Services.
Foster Care (SWIFC)
Social Workers in Foster Care (SWIFC) is a network 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)
Social Workers in Adult Mental Health (SWAMH) aims to support colleagues, advocate for our profession and service users, 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 (PC) is a group of 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. We aim to enable social workers in Primary Care to feel connected as a group and to represent a strong voice within their networks and in their local communities.
Adult Safeguarding and Protection (ASaP)
Adult Safeguarding & Protection (ASaP) is a group of professional Social Workers, from a wide variety of settings, including lead and designated adult safeguarding roles. We aim 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.
Anti-Racism Advisory Group (ARAG)
Anti-Racism Advisory Group (ARAG) 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. supports IASW’s commitment to equality, inclusion and anti-racist practice. We help to inform policy, advocacy and professional learning that promotes culturally responsive and anti-oppressive social work.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS)
Children & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) provides a national forum for CAMHS Social Workers or those 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. Our meetings are either online, in person or hybrid to support CAMHS Social Workers around the country to attend. We use the meeting to support one another, raise issues and share ideas.
Head Medical Social Workers (HMSW)
We are committed to the goal that Medical Social Work must remain a core part of the hospital multi-disciplinary team and advocate for safe staffing levels where services already exist in acute settings and advocate for the necessity of Social Work services to commence in settings where it currently does not exist. Medical has a subgroup for Head Medical Social Workers, which represents service managers from a wide range of medical settings including adult acute medical settings (private and public), paediatrics, maternity, rehabilitation & disability, long term care and hospice.
Criminal Justice Social Work
A community of social workers working within criminal justice settings. Members explore practice issues, policy developments and opportunities to strengthen the contribution of social work within justice services.
Our Working Group
Mother Baby Home & Adoption
Mother Baby Home & Adoption Working Group (MBHAWG) was established as an action arising from the IASW apology on foot of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission Report in February 2021. We are committed to providing a space for members to advocate for positive social change and to developing a response to ensure that the lessons from the testimonies inform our contemporary work with survivors and others who are marginalised and silenced in Irish society.
Our Social Group
Retired Social Workers Social Group
Retired Social Workers Social Group is for retired social workers to enage with each other in the peer group through social engagements. Lunch gatherings are usually held every two months on the second Monday in The Lep at Leopardstown Inn. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact administrator@iasw.ie.
Downloads and Resources
Read the Terms and Conditions that guide participation, membership and operation of IASW Special Interest Groups.
Access practical guidance, governance information and resources designed to support SIG Chairs in leading active, effective and member-focused groups.