College of Social work call for specialist 'older people' options in degrees

The College of Social Work (TCSW) wants an older people specialist option to be offered on social work degrees to improve excellent social work for older people.

‘Excellent social work with older people: a discussion paper’ published today by TCSW wants to find out the views of user groups, older people, their families, carers and social workers on a range of issues including a call to make specialist options available for those studying social work at degree level.

Of the people that already use local authority social care services, 60 per cent are older people, a figure which is set to continue rising over the next 15 years as the number of people over the age of 85 is predicted to double.

The College of Social Work wants to see research evidence inform the way social work for older people is carried out in practise and progress made in the future by placing the experiences of older people at the centre of ongoing improvements to social work.

Bernard Walker, chair of the Adults’ Faculty leading the report, said: “Our aim is to create the right conditions and opportunities for social workers to improve the lives of older people by ensuring they receive excellent social work.

“We know there are pockets of excellent practice out there; we have seen the difference it makes to individuals, families and communities, and how it improves the use of resources. We want this to become the norm for all older people no matter where they live.

“Our paper sets out our initial thoughts on what needs to be done, but we want the views of the people that count, so we can agree on the capabilities and conditions needed to provide excellent social work for older people.

“Their responses will go towards our final document which we’ll use as our call to action for social workers, commissioners and stakeholders to ensure excellent social work for older people.”

People working in or receiving adult social care are being encouraged to respond to the plans outlined in the paper by 24 February 2015, by outlining how they think social work with older people be better recognised and valued, the difference excellent social care can make, and how excellence should be defined.

Initial findings will be released at TCSW conference in March this year, followed by a publication of final reports in May.