Law for Social Work
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| SOCW4004 | Social Work | 4 | 20 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- SOCW4004
- School
- Social Work
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
This module prepares students with an introduction to relevant legislation, policies and guidance for Social Work practice with a variety of service users. The programme recognises the centrality of the law and its interaction with policy and research in promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and adults, and the necessity for practitioners to be confident when representing agencies and working with service users in legislative contexts. To enable a better understanding and application of law to practice, the module includes a general consideration of the English legal system and considers areas around the court structure, civil vs. criminal procedures; differing burdens of proof; duties vs. powers; and so on. It focuses on specific legislative frameworks that are central to social work practice.
Target Students
Only available for MA Social Work students or PGDip Social Work students.
Classes
This module is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars.
Assessment
- 100% Inclass Exam: Inclass exam
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
This module will provide students with the opportunity to:1. Affirm the centrality of social work practice within a legal context.2. Consider critically the principlesand scope of law relating to social work practice and how this relates to social work values.3. Build legal knowledge, to help students understand the relationship between the law and social workers’ accountability.4. Focus on knowledge and understanding of key componentsfound in legislation which frameschild welfare, adult social care, youth justice, mental capacity and mental health.5. Identify and evaluate the ethical principles informing good practice under the law.Learning Outcomes
- Be aware of how the English legal system operates and understand the essential differences between public and private law, and between the civil justice system and the criminal justice system.
- Recognise the links between Human Rights and equalities legislation and social work values, ethics and professional standards.
- Understand the legal basis of social work authority, including the difference between a specific duty, a general duty and a power.
- Recognise the legal duties of confidentiality and data protection, and the circumstances in which information may lawfully be shared.
- Understand the role of the law and policy in social work generally, and more specifically for particular service user groups, sufficiently to meet the requirements of the Department for Education’s Knowledge and Skills for Child and Family Social Work (especially KSS 8) and the Department of Health’s Knowledge and Skills Statement for Social Workers in Adult Services (especially KSS 2 & 5).