Name
The name of the group is the UK Renal Social Work Group (UK RSWG).
Aims
The group aims to:
• Provide a forum for discussion for renal social workers on psychosocial intervention in renal care.
• Support the professional development of renal social workers by arranging specialist training days.
• Promote the highest standards of social work practice in the care of renal patients and their families.
• Represent social work skills and values within the wider multi-professional renal community.
• Provide a forum for peer support to new and existing workers within renal services.
Membership
Membership of the UK Renal Social Work Group is open to all Social Workers, Social Work Assistants, and renal staff whose work involves direct delivery of psychosocial care to renal patients. Membership categories are Full Member and Associate Member.
Full Member
Full members are Registered Social Workers and Social Work Assistants whose work involved direct delivery of psychosocial care to renal patients. Full members have the right to attend the AGM, vote, and hold office as elected representatives after 6 months of membership. Full members may attend all meetings and are entitled to claim expenses from UK RSWG. Full members receive all UK RSWG broadcast communications.
Associate Member
Any person working within the provision of renal psychosocial care can apply for Associate Membership to the group. Associate members do not hold the right to attend the AGM, vote, or hold office as elected representatives. Associate members may attend general meetings in an online capacity and may attend study days if agreed by the committee, although they are not automatically entitled to claim expenses. Associate members receive all UK RSWG broadcast communications.
Membership Subscriptions
The Committee shall set the annual subscription cost for membership. All subscriptions shall be due and payable at the time of the first meeting of the calendar year, to be reviewed at the AGM. If members wish to join after the AGM, they will be members but will only be liable for half membership payment until the next renewal period. Members in arrears have no voting rights. A member shall be deemed to have resigned if, by the following by the third meeting of the year, the subscription has not been paid. A member will then be taken off the group circulation list. They may re-join the group by following the established membership process.
Finance
Membership subscriptions shall be deposited in the UK RSWG’s bank account. Withdrawals, other than standard expense claims, from this account must be agreed by at least two Committee members. Expenses will be paid by the Treasurer independently without consultation. Accounts will be reviewed every 3 years by an external body.
Structure of the UKRSWG
Members – All ordinary registered members.
Organising Members – A Committee of Officers elected at the Annual General Meeting shall administer the Group’s affairs. The term of office for each member of the Committee shall be for a period of three years with the option of extending to five years. The committee reserves the right to refuse membership of the UKRSWG.
Chairperson
Will preside over all meetings at which he/she is present. The Chairperson is the formal head of the Group and will act as representative to all external bodies or identify/delegate such responsibility. The Chair will submit a bi-annual report to Kidney Care UK.
Assistant Chair [Optional post] – Will support the Chairperson with the above responsibilities and gain knowledge and skills in relation to the roles and responsibilities of the Chairperson. The Assistant Chair can be considered for the position of Chairperson when the Chairperson finishes their term.
Secretary
Will be responsible for:
▪ Keeping and distributing the minutes of all meetings
▪ Ensuring that all correspondence is correctly handled
▪ Co-ordinating meetings
▪ Sending relevant documents to the website manager for entering on to the website
▪ Maintaining up to date email distribution list.
▪ Ensuring committee details are up to date on the website
Treasurer
Will be responsible for:
▪ Keeping the Group’s accounts
▪ Advising the Committee on all financial matters
▪ Preparing the accounts and presenting these at the AGM
▪ Collecting and monitoring member subscriptions
▪ To receive all applications to the group’s Education Fund
Membership Secretary
Will be responsible for:
▪ Sending out membership renewals
▪ Maintaining an annual membership list and circulating when requested
▪ Liaising with new members or potential new members to ensure membership forms are completed and subscriptions are paid
▪ Ensuring new members are added to the membership list and email distribution list
UKKA Representative
Will attend four meetings of the UKKA a year and be involved in the UKKW conference. Will provide feedback of these meetings to the group. If the representative cannot be present at the group meetings, a report must be sent to the secretary in advance.
Meetings
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held in June each year. Only Full Members may attend the AGM and hold voting rights. The agenda for the meeting shall include:
▪ Apologies for absence
▪ Minutes of the previous meeting
▪ Chair’s report
▪ Secretary’s report
▪ Membership Secretary’s report
▪ Treasurer’s report
▪ Election of officers
▪ Other business
Decisions taken at the Annual General Meeting shall be carried by simple majority of the votes cast at the meeting.
Extraordinary General Meetings
Extraordinary General Meetings may be called by the Committee for a specific purpose. No other business may be transacted at the EGM.
General Meetings
General Meetings are open to all Full Members. They will be held thrice yearly in Jan/Feb, June, and October. The June meeting will normally be classed as a Study Day. Associate members can attend the June Study Day. Associate members can attend the Jan / October meetings virtually upon request.
Amendments to the Constitution
The constitution may be amended only at an EGM called for that purpose. The Constitution will be reviewed every 5 years.
Dissolution of the Group
A resolution to disband the group can only be decided upon by the voting members of the group at a general meeting. Such a resolution requires the support of at least 51% of all voting members. The funds of the group, after the payment of all outstanding debts, shall be disposed of as directed by members at the final general meeting.
The UKRSWG Constitution was originally developed and agreed in January 2007.
This Constitution was most recently reviewed and amended at an AGM held on 29th June 2025.