This module provides an introduction to all the major areas of law concerning all the main social work service user groups and some issues/problems/themes that `cut across? all of these groups:

1. The relationship between the law and social work practice

2. The role of law in promoting social work values

3. The legal mandates for social work practice with children and their families, with adults, arising from ill health, mental distress, disability, old age and involvement with the criminal justice system.

4. The law relating to collaborative practice

5. The legal framework for accountability in social work practice

6. Knowledge and understanding of the Human Rights Act 1998

Whole group sessions (12 x 4hrs = 48 hrs) Lectures and workshops to provide exposition of key legal knowledge and its practical application to scenarios/case studies from social work practice. Opportunities for students to engage more actively in learning through case studies/discussions, debates and exercises. Student presentations will also feature.

Practice based learning

This will involve the observation and interaction with professionals and service users, interviews,, reflective practice and applying learning to own practice.

Directed and independent study (252hrs) Guided reading will provide focus for independent study in preparation for, and reflections upon, large and small group sessions and in preparation for assessments and seminar presentations.
Students will be expected to carry out library research, intranet research, work placement observation, make entries in their working journal and their professional development portfolio and use professional practice personnel appropriately as a resource for learning.

1. Case study assessing child care law.
Word length 2500
Learning outcomes 1 and 3
50%

2. Case study assessing social work law with adults.
Word length 2500
Learning outcomes 2 and 4
50%





STUDENTS MUST PASS BOTH ELEMENTS

Formative Assessment

Tutor feedback during tutorial presentations and discussions.

Module handbook
Access to appropriate texts and journals
Computing facilities including access to www

You will need access to one of the following texts:

Brayne, H & Martin, G (2001) Law for Social Workers (7th edition) London, Blackstone Press

Brammer, A (2007) Social Work Law (2nd Edition), Harlow Pearson Education ISBN: 1.4058.1205.2

Braye, S & Preston-Shoot, M (1997) Practising Social Work Law, (2nd edition) London, Palgrave Macmillan

This module is open only to students enrolled on the Foundation Degree in Social care