association of social workers association of social workers the association of social workers (asw) was the main professional body for non-specialised social workers in the united kingdom. it was established as the british federation of social workers (bfsw) in 1935 and changed its name in 1951. from 1949 it opened its membership to all social workers and from 1951 promoted itself as the body to join to work towards a unified profession. association of social workersabbreviationaswpredecessorbritish federation of social workersmerged intosix other social workers' organisationssuccessorbritish association of social workersformation1935 (1935)dissolved1970 (1970)typeprofessional bodypurposeprofessional body for non-specialised social workersofficial language englishaffiliationsstanding conference of organisations of social workers in 1970 the association finally achieved its aim by merging with six other social workers' organisations to form the british association of social workers, having been a member of the standing conference of organisations of social workers which had been led by kay mcdougall.