The module is only open to those enrolled on the BA (Hons) Social Work Integrated Apprenticeship programme.

1. Examination on Adult Law 25% 20 minutes
2. Examination on Children’s Law 25% 20 minutes
3. Examination on Mental Health Law 25% 20 minutes
4. Academic Poster 25% 1000 words

Formative assessment

• 5 minute talking head video focusing on a piece of legislation or policy which guides social work practice, for example Human Rights legislation, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Welfare Reform, or Asylum.

Summative assessment:

• 3 x examinations each 20 minutes (Covering adult’s, children's and mental health law)

• Academic poster (Maximum 1000 words) describing and applying a piece of legislation or policy to Social Work practice.

This module will introduce you to the historical, policy and legal context of social work practice. You will learn how welfare policies and the legislative framework form the basis for social work interventions and about the connections between politics and social work practice. We will consider the way in which legislation is developed and the way Serious Case reviews have impacted on this process.
• Introduction to the legislation in relation to Human Rights, Equality, Confidentiality, Safeguarding Children, Safeguarding Adults and Mental Health in this module, and apply this to practice.
• Explore the links between practice underpinned by the appropriate legislative framework, the wider political and social policy context and the lived experiences of service users.

This module will also include 9 skills days 5 of which will be shadowing opportunities identified by you and a choice of up to 4 taught sessions at the University, to reflect your learning needs identified in your Preparation for Practice module.

Legislation is the legal foundation for Social Work practice, it is critical that Social Workers understand the way in which the contemporary social, political and legal context impacts on practice, and how this have evolved over time. The Understanding the Purpose of Social Work Practice module will provide you with an introduction to these central issues, and to the key legislation governing Social Work practice in a range of contexts.

Scheduled teaching and learning activities: 126 hours total

To consist of;
• 54 hours Whole group sessions - consisting of participatory lectures and presentations by the module tutor and the Service User and Carer Group (SUCG) and visiting speakers in order to disseminate core knowledge and theoretical perspectives, including those arising from the experience of service users. Formative assessments will also take place during these hours.
• 54 hours Skills based learning involving shadowing opportunities, and group learning sessions within the University.
• 18 hours assessment

Directed Independent Study: 274 hours total

To consist of;
• Accessing online resources such as Webinars, podcasts etc relevant to the module
• Independent reading consolidating knowledge explored and developed in the direct teaching and learning sessions researching how these are used in social work practice.
• Use of VLE to support learning by reading core reading texts and independent activities are utilized.
• Assignment preparation and writing.

Johns, R (2017) Using the Law in Social Work (7th Ed). London: Sage
Cunningham, J & Cunninigham, S (2017) Social Work and Social Policy (2nd ed). London: Sage
Golightly, M & Goemans, R (2017) Social Work and Mental Health (6th ed). London: Sage
Rogers, J, Bright, L & Davis, H (2015) Social Work with Adults. London: Sage
Davis, L and Duckett, N (2016) Proactive Child Protection and Social Work. London: Sage

Computer facilities to access online materials
Access to specialist online database
Access to appropriate core texts and journals via the library.

1. On completion of this module, you will be able to identify and define the current legislative framework for Social Work practice across each major social work discipline

(PS 1.5; 1.6; 1.7; 3.1; 3.3; 3.4; 3.7; 3.8; 3.13; 4.4; 5.1; 5.3; 5.4; 6.1; 6.3)
(PCF 2, 4, 5, 7, 8)
(KSB S4, K1, K2, K6, S8, S24, S32, K20, S42, K25)

2. On completion of this module, you will be able to describe the relationship between law, social policy and social work practice in both the UK and the wider global context, including the way in which this is applied to uphold individual rights and dignity.

(PS 1.2; 1.3; 1.4; 1.5; 1.6; 1.7; 2.2; 2.4; 2.5; 2.6; 2.7; 3.1; 3.3; 3.8; 3.9; 3.12; 4.3; 4.4; 5.1; 5.6; 6.1; 6.5)
(PCF 2, 4, 5)
(KSB K1, K13, B3))

3. On completion of this module, you will be able to apply and discuss the legislative framework to a range of contexts for practice and understand the implications for working in a confidential and responsible way

(PS 1.3; 1.4; 1.5; 1.7; 2.2; 2.3; 2.4; 2.6; 3.1; 3.2; 3.5; 3.6; 3.7; 3.9; 3.11; 4.3; 4.4; 4.5; 5.1 – 5.6; 6.4; 6.5)
(PCF 2, 3, 4, 5);
(KSB K1, S9, K20, S40)