BASW to take on College of Social Work functions
Neil Puffett
Thursday, August 20, 2015
The British Association of Social Work (BASW) is to take on the majority of functions performed by The College of Social Work (TCSW) from next month, it has been announced.
Following discussions with organisations interested in taking on the college's functions, TCSW’s board opted for professional functions and resources to be transferred "wholesale" to BASW.
BASW will take over running of the professional capabilities framework, which sets out expectations of social workers at every stage in their career, the continuing professional development endorsement framework, and a range of publications, including the college’s Social Work Matters magazine, reports and policy documents.
BASW has also been given the opportunity to enter talks with TCSW’s three faculties – children and families, adults and mental Health – and the college’s professional assembly over their future.
TCSW chair, Jo Cleary, said there were several “very strong and credible bids” to take on the work of the college.
“We are confident that, on balance, we have found the right organisational ‘home’ for these functions and resources, which are of great importance to the social work profession moving forward as a unified profession.
“Our robust evaluation process concluded that BASW would offer the best prospect for TCSW resources and functions.
“We believe that, in line with our criteria, BASW has a strong independent identity and relationship with social work and will ensure that these functions and resources are well safeguarded and continue to evolve in response to changing needs.
“We look forward to working with BASW over the next few weeks to ensure effective transition of these functions and resources.”
BASW chair, Guy Shennan, said it is “essential” that the functions of TCSW and the resources it offered are safeguarded by the profession.
“To hold and further develop these functions is entirely consistent with our 2020 vision to be the strong independent voice of social work and social workers, and we believe will assist in the realisation of this vision.
“We look forward to working with the college over the next few days and weeks to enable the transfer to go ahead, and to continuing our dialogue with the three faculties to support the continuation of their important work.”
