This reader brings together newly commissioned pieces from academics and practitioners in the social work and social care field. It raises critical issues regarding the interface between the law and social work practice. Covering core conceptual and thematic issues, overviews of areas of law and practice, and the perspectives and experiences of a range of players in the field, it focuses on key legal issues and trends and draws out social work practice and policy issues. This is a useful text for all those undertaking, or thinking about undertaking, social work training.

Table of Contents

List of Contributors Introduction: The Law and Social Work - Working Together?; L-A.Cull & J.Roche Abbreviations PART I: THE LAW AND SOCIAL WORK: KEY THEMES AND ISSUES A Critical Perspective on the Welfare Principle; S.Gilmore Social Work Values and the Law; J.Roche Racism and Social Work Practice; R.Dutt Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children in Need Living with their Families; J.Aldgate Social Work Practice and Accountability; S.Braye & M.Preston-Shoot Practising Partnership; L.Jordan Risk and Professional Judgement; N.Parton PART II: OVERVIEW OF KEY AREAS OF LAW AND PRACTICE Human Rights and Social Services; B.Schwehr Family Breakdown; L-A.Cull Violence in the Home: Social Work Practice and the Law; L-A.Cull Child Protection: Lessons from Abroad; R. Hetherington & A.Cooper Whistleblowing: Public Concern at Work; P.Ells & G.Dehn Social Work Practice in the Criminal Justice System; A.Worral & A.Souhami Special Educational Needs; T.Callman The Disability Discrimination Act 1995; J.Cooper Care in the Community; A.MacDonald Children Looked After; I.Brodie The Law, Social Work Practice and Elder Abuse; A.Brammer An Introduction to Family Group Conferences; P.Nixon PART III: SERVICE-USER AND PRACTICE PERSPECTIVES Issues for Practice; P.Wellbourne The Challenges of Care and Control: Experiences and Observations from an Approved Social Worker; J.Henderson Working with Children: A Guardian Ad Litem's Experience; A.Dale- Emberton The Official Solicitor and Children Cases; P.Harris The Children Act 1989: Dilemmas and Issues in Family Proceedings; D.Gore Probation Officer's Work; S.Chand Account of a Magistrate who Sits in the Youth Court; S.Vernon Young People in Care; R.Hayward The Development of Advocacy Services with and for Children and Young People; J.Timms The Court of Protection; D.Lush Partnership in Action: The New Challenge of the Youth Justice Reforms and Youth Offending Teams; H.Watson Piggy in the Middle: Good Practice and Interpreters; N.Cornwell Elder Abuse; J.Pritchard References Index

Author Biography

LESLEY-ANN CULL and JEREMY ROCHE are both based in the School of Health and Social Welfare at The Open University. Both editors have written extensively on law and practice in relation to child and family law, and Jeremy Roche has co-edited two texts on working with young people, Youth in Society and Changing Experiences of Youth.