TCSW announces its decision regarding the transfer of resources, including Professional Capabilities Framework, to BASW

The College of Social Work (TCSW) today announces its intention to transfer a number of key functions and resources including the PCF, CPD endorsement and several publications, to the British Association of Social Workers (BASW). Following the announced closure of TCSW and the recent Expressions of Interest process, TCSW’s Board has decided that the package of professional functions and resources should be transferred wholesale to BASW. This package consists of:

The Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF).
A suite of publications - Including evidence informed reports, TCSW magazine Social Work Matters and policy documents.
CPD endorsement framework; including an established process and supporting materials to evaluate and endorse post qualifying learning and development programmes.
The opportunity to progress dialogue with TCSW’s three faculties (Children and Families, Adults and Mental Health) and the Professional Assembly (PA) to support strong professional leadership and resources that will strengthen social work standards, promote the profession and give social workers a strong voice.

Several organisations put in expressions of interest to acquire the functions and resources. Although no funding is attached, together they will secure a strong legacy for TCSW and its achievements. The bids were assessed by a small evaluation panel, chaired by TLAP Chair and TCSW Board member Clenton Farquharson. The panel then made recommendations to the TCSW Board, based on clear assessment criteria which included the receiving organization supporting social work as one profession, and that there would be representation from social work practice and from people who use services.

A separate package of functions and resources, including ASYE certification and facilitation of the two Principal Social Worker (PSW) networks, is being tendered out by government.

In addition, TCSW has made interim arrangements for the Qualifying Programme (QP) endorsement framework to be temporarily hosted by the Greater Lancashire Social Work Education and Training (GLSWET) Network which is a regional partnership of employers and Higher Education Institutions. This will support continuity and enable the work of the QP endorsement scheme to be taken forward, pending wider policy decisions about the future regulation of qualifying programmes.

TCSW Chair, Jo Cleary, said:

“We were very fortunate to receive several very strong and credible bids. 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:

“We are delighted that TCSW wishes to transfer these functions and resources to BASW. We applaud the College for the work it has done in developing the Professional Capabilities Framework and the other resources that have been under consideration here, and we believe it is essential that they remain 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”.