New guidance on the content of social work degree programmes has been produced by The College of Social Work in collaboration with social work educators. The curriculum guides, which
are at www.tcsw.org.uk, include those stipulated by the Social Work Reform Board. Written by leading social work
educators, the fi rst guides cover: Substance use, Mental health and distress, Communication skills, Behavioural/Parenting problems for children and families, Neglect, violence and abuse of children and adults, and
Human growth and development. They were funded by the Higher
Education Academy and further guides will follow.
Will new Act integrate health and social care?
The Health and Social Care Act, which became law last month amid much controversy, paves the way for local health and well being boards which are intended to reshape health and
social care across the country. The boards will enable adult social
care leaders to infl uence the new clinical commissioning groups of GPs, although some have questioned how far the boards will be able to steer the integration agenda. ‘It will take a while to understand the impact of the changes,’ said College spokesperson Chris Russell. ‘The rhetoric was about putting the patient at the centre of the reforms. We must all watch closely to see if this is the reality.’ See Jon Glasby, page 7.
Professional leadership at The College A preliminary meeting of The College’s Transitional Professional Assembly (TPA) heard powerful pleas that it must be truly representative of social work and that it should develop credible expertise in specifi c areas of practice. At an informal meeting last month, members discussed the proposed
POLICY
Reviewers sought for endorsement
scheme Reviewers are being invited to take part in an endorsement scheme to quality assure education and training in social work. College members are
encouraged to apply and train to become endorsement scheme reviewers, covering the whole range of education from qualifying courses to CPD activities. The scheme, run by The
College, seeks reviewers who will normally be registered social workers with signifi cant practice experience. For further information, email ann-marie.daly@tcsw. org.uk
Fresh funding for dementia
research Funding for research into cures and treatments for dementia has been doubled to reach £66 million by 2015.
professional leadership structure of The College and how it can best meet the needs and aspirations of members. TPA members will include students,
NQSWs, frontline practitioners, specialist social workers, academics and managers.
Announcing the initiative, prime minister David Cameron said health and social care would need to work together ‘much more seamlessly - social workers and GPs, nurses, care assistants and voluntary sector workers coming together around people to make sure their needs are met.’
See Jill Manthorpe, page 20. THECOLLEGEOFSOCIALWORKMAGAZINE 9