SW5002 - Social Work Law and Ethics

What will I learn on this module?

The purpose of this module is to enable you to understand and explore the detailed application of the law in relation to social work practice in statutory, voluntary and community contexts, and in which it applies to children, young people and adults when your role is concerned with safeguarding and promoting the well- being of individuals, families and carers. You will examine the interface between the law, social work values and social work ethics, in order to consider how legal and policy frameworks are used to promote and sometimes restrict the rights of service users. You will also have an opportunity to consider how the law may be used to promote anti–oppressive and inclusive practice. You will reflect upon the complexity of contemporary universal and national laws, and the social and political contexts within service delivery settings. You will also develop your learning in relation to values, diversity, law and social justice within the Professional Capabilities Framework

How will I learn on this module?

You will learn through a combined lecture and enquiry-based approach using seminars, interactive learning and eLearning resources, and stakeholder involvement with teaching and learning both before and after your 70-day assessed practice placement. You will be introduced to key global and domestic legal frameworks in keynote lectures. You will then have the opportunity in seminars to explore key concepts and practice issues associated with the ethical application of law in social work assessment professional judgement and decision-making contexts.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Module lecturers and seminar leaders will support your development through seminar groups. You will have access to lecturers at specifically designated times via direct teaching sessions and online forums. Your Personal Tutor will also provide academic and pastoral support, the former in designated tutorials and as a member of the placement team training team. Formative assessment tasks include ‘feedforward’ in preparation for the summative assignment, and ‘feedback’ to identify aspects of your strengths and also aspects which require development. Contact details for all tutors for this module are available on the Blackboard Ultra e-learning (eLP) site.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

At the end of the module you will be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Demonstrate knowledge and a critical understanding of the legal and policy frameworks that social workers apply in a range of service contexts.
2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the complexities that exist when applying social work law in practice.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Analyse the tensions between protection and control when balancing rights and responsibilities in social work practice within a legal framework.
4. Demonstrate how social work legally mandated duties, powers and responsibilities are applied in practice.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5.Understand the interface between social work law, values and ethics and apply this to anti oppressive practice for promoting wellbeing and for minimising risk and harm.

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment.
You will undertake a timed self-assessment formative examination in preparation for the summative assessment. Feedback for the formative assessment will be provided via a self-assessed answer checklist in a group feedback session.
(MLO 1,2,3,4,5)

Summative assessment
You will undertake a timed forty-eight hour online 2,000-word unseen examination in semester 2. You will demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the law in practice in relation to children and family law case study and an adult law case study. You will also be required to demonstrate critical understanding of social work values and ethical practice in social work assessment and intervention roles. Submission is electronic via Turnitin.
The examination comprises 100% of the module mark.
Written feedback for the summative assessment will be provided by the module team via Turnitin.
(MLO 1,2,3,4,5)

Pre-requisite(s)

SW4000, SW4001, SW4002, SW4003, SW4004, SW005

Co-requisite(s)

SW5000, SW5001, SW5003, SW5004

Module abstract

This module aims to support you in progressing from identifying and understanding your own values and the perspectives of service users to applying specific legal and ethical frameworks in practice and understanding the tensions inherent in this process.
This module will enable you to understand and interpret the ways in which the law underpins social work practice. You will develop a critical awareness of the legal system and its changing nature and be able to identify and apply legal frameworks in respect of all people who use social work services. You will develop your knowledge and understanding of specific areas of legislation and guidance that inform, guide or control your practice. You will demonstrate awareness of the complexities inherent in the application of law to social work practice and interface between the law and social work ethics and values, examining how the law may be used to promote anti-oppressive practice.

Course info

UCAS Code L503

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years Full Time

School Communities and Education

Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2027

Fee Information

Module Information

Accuracy of information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing.

How your course is delivered

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning.

Changes to your course

Most courses run as described on our website and in our marketing materials. Occasionally we may need to make changes, for example due to a change in the law or regulatory requirements, requirements of a Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body, or our quality assurance processes. Where a change is significant (in line with the Competition and Markets Authority's guidance on "substantial changes"), we will consult with affected students in advance where the change is being decided, and will explain the reason for the change and inform you at the earliest opportunity.

If we make a significant variation to your programme, you are entitled to: request a transfer to an alternative, appropriate programme; withdraw and have your tuition fees adjusted; or raise a complaint through the Student Complaints Procedure.

Optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year. Where a module you selected is withdrawn, the options above apply.

Contact time

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

Images and video

The photography and video on this page are used for illustration. They may have been taken at different times and in different parts of the University, and may show facilities, equipment, staff, students or activities that are not part of this course. They are not a guarantee of the specific facilities or equipment you will use.

The course content, entry requirements and fees sections of this page, together with the Programme Specification, set out what this course includes. Our facilities are updated over time and may change during your studies.

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Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help. They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.

Accuracy of information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing.

How your course is delivered

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning.

Changes to your course

Most courses run as described on our website and in our marketing materials. Occasionally we may need to make changes, for example due to a change in the law or regulatory requirements, requirements of a Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body, or our quality assurance processes. Where a change is significant (in line with the Competition and Markets Authority's guidance on "substantial changes"), we will consult with affected students in advance where the change is being decided, and will explain the reason for the change and inform you at the earliest opportunity.

If we make a significant variation to your programme, you are entitled to: request a transfer to an alternative, appropriate programme; withdraw and have your tuition fees adjusted; or raise a complaint through the Student Complaints Procedure.

Optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year. Where a module you selected is withdrawn, the options above apply.

Contact time

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

Images and video

The photography and video on this page are used for illustration. They may have been taken at different times and in different parts of the University, and may show facilities, equipment, staff, students or activities that are not part of this course. They are not a guarantee of the specific facilities or equipment you will use.

The course content, entry requirements and fees sections of this page, together with the Programme Specification, set out what this course includes. Our facilities are updated over time and may change during your studies.

Accessibility and Student Inclusion

Northumbria University is committed to developing an inclusive, diverse and accessible campus and wider University community and are determined to ensure that opportunities we provide are open to all.

We are proud to work in partnership with AccessAble to provide Detailed Access Guides to our buildings and facilities across our City, Coach Lane and London Campuses. A Detailed Access Guide lets you know what access will be like when you visit somewhere. It looks at the route you will use getting in and what is available inside. All guides have Accessibility Symbols that give you a quick overview of what is available, and photographs to show you what to expect. The guides are produced by trained surveyors who visit our campuses annually to ensure you have trusted and accurate information.

You can use Northumbria’s AccessAble Guides anytime to check the accessibility of a building or facility and to plan your routes and journeys. Search by location, building or accessibility feature to find the information you need.

We are dedicated to helping students who may require additional support during their student journey and offer 1-1 advice and guidance appropriate to individual requirements. If you feel you may need additional support you can find out more about what we offer here where you can also contact us with any questions you may have:

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