Law for Social Workers

Caroline Ball and Ann McDonald, University of East Anglia, UK

• Contents: The Legal Context of Social Work Practice: Nature, sources and administration of law; Social work and the Human Rights Act 1998; Discrimination; Challenging local authority decisions. Children and Families: Child and family social work: the evolving legal framework; Parents, guardians and parental responsibility; Family breakdown; Local authorities’ powers and duties; Children in need of protection; Care and supervision; Adoption. Vulnerable Adults: Community care; Mentally disordered people. Youth Justice: The youth justice system and pre-trial decisions; Sentencing in the youth court. Legal Issues for Clients: Housing; Education; Welfare benefits; The criminal process. Scotland: Social Work Law in Scotland, Janice McGhee; Bibliography; Indices.

'More than just making the law accessible, this volume outlines current research evidence and debates surrounding its application. As such it provides an essential guide to social work students, social workers and their managers about the legal context of social work.' Professor Judith Masson, Warwick University, UK 'For those who may not need to know and understand social work law in detail, or as a stepping stone to more detailed publications, this book provides an extremely clear and succinct outline.' The Law Teacher