Module Descriptors
SOCIAL WELFARE LAW AND PRACTICE
LAWS51114
Key Facts
School of Justice, Security and Sustainability
Level 5
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Keith Puttick
Email: K.A.Puttick@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 30
Independent Study Hours: 120
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- ASSIGNMENT weighted at 100%
Module Details
Module Resources
Access to a PC with internet access.
Module Learning Strategies
The focus of this module is on a mix of independent as well as directed study.
Contact Hours (30) on this module means on-screen hours engaging with the on screen study materials in the course documents, course information sections of the module.
Independent Study (120) means your on-line and off-line activity, including work in the course documents, course information, and discussion forums and assignments sections of the module. It also includes further relevant background and developmental reading and research. Preparation and engagement with the discussion forums, self-assessment exercises, tasks together with assessment preparation and completion.
The VLE will provide a structured framework for the delivery of this module.
Course Information. This section provides students with important module overview information for students.
Course Documents. This contains all the study materials separated into sections, each section being further broken down to contain the module materials and exercises.
Discussion Board: Students through regular engagement in the forums within the discussion board will facilitate interactive, asynchronous discussion on the exercises/tasks, which support and develop through critical analysis, student learning and allow for formative assessment of individual progress.
In some sections there may be no formal assessment of work undertaken, but there will be 'questions' for consideration, or other tasks to complete. Feedback will be provided.
Participants are encouraged to communicate with the tutor and fellow students using e-mail or the discussion forum and to do so if there are matters needing assistance or support.
As this is a distance learning award, participants will need to adopt a disciplined approach to study and work, for example by ensuring that activities, tasks, and assignments (whether formally assessed or not) are completed within specified time limits and discussion with other participants may need to be undertaken within specified time frames.
Web-based material will be utilised to support all aspects of the module, providing links to latest Government information and latest case law and legislation.
Contact Hours (30) on this module means on-screen hours engaging with the on screen study materials in the course documents, course information sections of the module.
Independent Study (120) means your on-line and off-line activity, including work in the course documents, course information, and discussion forums and assignments sections of the module. It also includes further relevant background and developmental reading and research. Preparation and engagement with the discussion forums, self-assessment exercises, tasks together with assessment preparation and completion.
The VLE will provide a structured framework for the delivery of this module.
Course Information. This section provides students with important module overview information for students.
Course Documents. This contains all the study materials separated into sections, each section being further broken down to contain the module materials and exercises.
Discussion Board: Students through regular engagement in the forums within the discussion board will facilitate interactive, asynchronous discussion on the exercises/tasks, which support and develop through critical analysis, student learning and allow for formative assessment of individual progress.
In some sections there may be no formal assessment of work undertaken, but there will be 'questions' for consideration, or other tasks to complete. Feedback will be provided.
Participants are encouraged to communicate with the tutor and fellow students using e-mail or the discussion forum and to do so if there are matters needing assistance or support.
As this is a distance learning award, participants will need to adopt a disciplined approach to study and work, for example by ensuring that activities, tasks, and assignments (whether formally assessed or not) are completed within specified time limits and discussion with other participants may need to be undertaken within specified time frames.
Web-based material will be utilised to support all aspects of the module, providing links to latest Government information and latest case law and legislation.
Module Indicative Content
In this Module we consider citizens' rights to 'welfare' within the Social Welfare Law system, including legal interventions in the family, employment, and other areas of the 'private' domain to achieve welfare objectives. In addition, the focus is on State provision such as Community Care benefits and services.
More specifically, we consider:
- rights to welfare support: and legal responsibilities of claimants and users of the State welfare and community care systems
- welfare support aspects of Family Law (on separation and divorce, assistance for children, and family members with special needs and disabilities, and the Child Support system)
- employment (particularly in-work 'welfare')
- housing (in relation to assistance with mortgage and rent costs, social housing, community care, and homelessness)
- personal injury (and the benefits payable/services available in relation to accidents, disability, etc)
- Criminal Law aspects of welfare (including fraud aspects of overpayments)
- immigration and asylum (and financial support delivered by the Home Office, NASS, and the community care system)
- support for the older citizen
- Public Law aspects of welfare, including rights of appeal to tribunals and judicial review if appeal is not available
Students utilise and develop skills needed for both paper-based and IT-based research now used for advice work.
There is emphasis on the importance of care when undertaking such preparation given its importance in the context of counselling, appeals, and other work undertaken by advisers. Participants also develop written communication skills.
More specifically, we consider:
- rights to welfare support: and legal responsibilities of claimants and users of the State welfare and community care systems
- welfare support aspects of Family Law (on separation and divorce, assistance for children, and family members with special needs and disabilities, and the Child Support system)
- employment (particularly in-work 'welfare')
- housing (in relation to assistance with mortgage and rent costs, social housing, community care, and homelessness)
- personal injury (and the benefits payable/services available in relation to accidents, disability, etc)
- Criminal Law aspects of welfare (including fraud aspects of overpayments)
- immigration and asylum (and financial support delivered by the Home Office, NASS, and the community care system)
- support for the older citizen
- Public Law aspects of welfare, including rights of appeal to tribunals and judicial review if appeal is not available
Students utilise and develop skills needed for both paper-based and IT-based research now used for advice work.
There is emphasis on the importance of care when undertaking such preparation given its importance in the context of counselling, appeals, and other work undertaken by advisers. Participants also develop written communication skills.
Module Additional Assessment Details
A 2500 word assignment which will assess learning outcomes 1-4. (100%)
Contributes to achievement of Social Policy benchmarking 3.2.1; 3.2.2; 3.2.7; 3.2.9; 3.2.11; 3.2.12; 3.3; 4.2; 4.3.2; 4.4.1; 4.4.4; 4.4.5; 4.4.6 and Law benchmarking 14-22 (pp24/25)
Encompasses CLS Quality Mark for Generalist Help with Casework for Welfare Benefits; Health and Community Care; Young People; Older People
Contributes to achievement of Social Policy benchmarking 3.2.1; 3.2.2; 3.2.7; 3.2.9; 3.2.11; 3.2.12; 3.3; 4.2; 4.3.2; 4.4.1; 4.4.4; 4.4.5; 4.4.6 and Law benchmarking 14-22 (pp24/25)
Encompasses CLS Quality Mark for Generalist Help with Casework for Welfare Benefits; Health and Community Care; Young People; Older People
Module Texts
- Clements, L. (2004) Community Care & the Law, Legal Action Group Publications
- Puttick, K. (2003) Welfare Benefits: Law & Practice, EMIS Professional Publishing,
- Puttick, K. (2003) Welfare Benefits: Law & Practice, EMIS Professional Publishing,