Law for Social Workers

Law for Social Workers provides students with exactly what they need to in order to understand the legal framework in which social workers act. This book covers the laws that restrict, monitor, and mould this position in society, and ultimately govern how social work is carried out. It provides clear information on key issues in social work law, such as the social worker's duties to society and the 'client'; law and the legal system (with detailed help on the issues of discrimination, human rights, and immigration status), plus the workings of the courts; working with children, including in the civil and criminal courts; working with adults; and legal issues relating to violence, family breakdown, and housing. Each section begins with an introduction to the unifying theme that runs through the following chapters. Individual chapters start with a case study based on a recent case or enquiry, highlighting the vital issues that the chapters will explore (for example, an Introductory case study on the Climbie enquiry). Key learning points are set out early in the chapter, and each part contains questions with guidance on the accompanying companion web site.I. THE FRAMEWORK FOR SOCIAL WORK; 1. How to approach law for social workers; 2. Human rights and anti-discrimination framework; 3. Social services provision and immigration status; 4. Courts, tribunals, sources of law, sources of advice; 5. The legal and institutional context; 6. The client relationship: confidentiality, consent, capacity; II. WORKING WITH OTHER AGENCIES, WORKING WITH COURTS; 7. Partnership; relationships with other agencies; 8. Evidence for the court; 9. Presenting a report to the court; III. RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARDS CHILDREN; 10. What is the law trying to achieve?; 11. Supporting the child in need; 12. Case planning and investigation; 13. Protection; 14. Accommodation; 15. Adoption; 16. Youth justice; IV. ADULTS; 17. Community care; 18. Mental health; V. OTHER LEGAL ISSUES AFFECTING SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE; 19. Violence, anti-social behaviour, and harassment; 20. Family; 21. Housing; 22. Homelessness