UPDATE College call to action on working with older people T he College of Social Work (TCSW) is consulting user and carer groups on what makes excellent social work with older people. A series of workshops will be held in February, and older people, their carers and families are invited to complete the survey on TCSWs website. The consultation will help to shape a Call to Action document for social workers and commissioners around excellent social work for older people. The consultation is open until March, and the final report will be launched in May 2015. TCSW Adults Faculty Chair Bernard Walker said: It is vital that older people are at the centre of this work. We really want to hear from as many people as possible. Contact for information: michael.simpson@tcsw.org.uk Newly elected members welcomed Sixteen new members of the TCSW Board, Professional Assembly (PA) and Faculties have been elected by College members. A full list and candidate details can be found here. TCSW Chair Jo Cleary said: Were delighted to welcome our newly elected colleagues to the governance structure of the College, and I have no doubt we will all benefit hugely from their breadth of expertise. It is great to see interest in the work of the College so high, with contested elections and a strong field of candidates. A big thanks to everyone who put themselves forward for these very important roles, and of course to all those who stepped down in 2014 having given so much of their time and energy to the College. BIA course endorsement approved Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has approved TCSWs endorsement scheme for Best Interests Assessor (BIA) courses up to January 2016. The secretary of states approval is temporary pending a review of mental capacity legislation by the Law Commission. Government re-visions education The Department of Health has set out plans for changes to social work education in its response* to David CroisdaleApplebys report, Re-visioning social work education: An independent review. They include initial work on a comprehensive CPD framework, which the DH has asked The College of Social Work to undertake. TCSW chief executive Annie Hudson welcomed the DH response, adding that several issues identified in the Croisdale-Appleby report were being addressed through The Colleges endorsement scheme. *Taking forward Professor Croisdale-Applebys review of social work education. Bookings open for annual conference TCSW invites social workers to attend our second annual conference, in central London on 12 March 2015. This years event promises a rich programme on the latest policy developments and research affecting frontline social work, with workshops and masterclasses offering best practice guidance on key areas, including effective supervision, domestic violence and independent social work. Chief social workers Lyn Romeo and Isabelle Trowler will speak, and award-winning poet Lemn Sissay will bring creativity to the day with a reflective piece of performance art. TCSW chief executive Annie Hudson said: Our second annual conference is shaping up to be a must for your working calendar. The conference is your opportunity to raise questions concerning your own practice, seek advice from fellow professionals and, hopefully, leave with a better understanding on how to address them. Visit www.tcsw.org.uk to book. Further information from greg.cranness@tcsw.org.uk "