module specification

SW5050 - Law for Social Work Practice (2018/19)

Module specification Module approved to run in 2018/19
Module status DELETED (This module is no longer running)
Module title Law for Social Work Practice
Module level Intermediate (05)
Credit rating for module 15
School School of Social Professions
Total study hours 150
 
20 hours Assessment Preparation / Delivery
85 hours Guided independent study
45 hours Scheduled learning & teaching activities
Assessment components
Type Weighting Qualifying mark Description
Open Book Examination 33% 40 Component 1
Open Book Examination 33% 40 Component 2
Open Book Examination 34% 40 Component 3
Running in 2018/19

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)
Period Campus Day Time Module Leader
Autumn semester North Monday Morning

Module summary

This module provides opportunities for students to:
• Identify and critically analyse the main statutes, regulations and guidance relevant to social work.
• Analyse case-law relevant to social work and critically evaluate the law as it applies to children and families and vulnerable adults.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the law within the context of anti-discriminatory practice

Syllabus

• Legal and policy frameworks LO1
• Applying legislation to practice LO2
• Reviewing case law LO3
• Tensions between guidance, policy and case-law in relation to interventions LO2

 Core areas to include:
 Children & Family law
 Care Act 2014
 Mental Health law
 Law relevant to domestic violence
 Equality & Human Rights
 Disability

Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity

Weekly sessions will be interactive with a balance of direct input and student led seminars.
Students will be provided with questions related to aspects of the law and leading cases to be covered weekly. They will be directed to relevant reading in order to research answers to these questions, applying them to social work practice and values. Their guided independent study will provide time for reflective Learning and writing the PDP.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will:

1. Understand the legal frameworks within which social workers practise.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the legal rights of service users and how they might be upheld in practice.
3. Evaluate critically the relevant legislation and legal obligations available to social workers, and options for intervention on behalf of service users in a range of practice settings.

Assessment strategy

There will be 3-hour unseen open book examination which will require students to apply their knowledge of statute and case-law to set case studies.  The exam will consist of 3 equally-weighted components , each of which must be passed.

Bibliography

Core
Brammer, A. (2015) Social Work Law (4th Edition) London, Longman Pearson
Supplemented
Carr, H. & Goosey, D  (2017) Law for Social Workers (14th edition) Oxford : Oxford University Press
Braye S, & Preston-Shoot (2016) Practising Social Work Law, Palgrave Macmillan
Brown, R. (2016) The approved mental health professional's guide to mental health law (4th ed.) Exeter: Learning Matters 
E- sources include legal databases (particularly Lexis)

Lexis Library: http://0-www.lexisnexis.com.emu.londonmet.ac.uk/uk/legal/auth/checkbrowser.do?rand=0.08961204140194301&cookieState=0&ipcounter=1&bhcp=1

SCIE (2009) E:Learning Law & Social Work http://www.scie.org.uk/publications/elearning/law/