UNIVERSITY OF KENT

MODULE SPECIFICATION

1. Title of the moduleLaw, Rights and Justice (SO920)

2. School or partner institution which will be responsible for management of the moduleSSPSSR

3. Start date of the moduleSeptember 2012/Revised version to start September 2013

4. The number of students expected to take the module15 initially, rising to 25

5. Modules to be withdrawn on the introduction of this proposed module and consultation with other relevant Schools and Faculties regarding the withdrawalNone

6. The level of the module (e.g. Certificate [C], Intermediate [I], Honours [H] or Postgraduate [M])Level M

7. The number of credits and the ECTS value which the module represents 15 credits (7.5 ECTS)

8. Which term(s) the module is to be taught in (or other teaching pattern)Autumn term (Sept-Dec)

9. Prerequisite and co-requisite modules None

10. The programmes of study to which the module contributesMA Social Work (compulsory module)

11. The intended subject specific learning outcomes

By successfully completing this module students will:

11.1 Develop critical understanding of legal rights and justice for service users and their families;

11.2 Develop critical understanding of the statutory and common law provisions that govern social work in England and Wales and the relationship between the citizen and the state;

11.3 Develop critical understanding and knowledge of social policy and how it intersects with the law;

11.4 Appreciate and critically evaluate philosophical influences on the development and content of the law and statute;

1Approved June 2013

UNIVERSITY OF KENT

11.5 Systematically acquire and critically evaluate knowledge and understanding of values and social ethics as they relate to the law and policy;

11.6 Systematically acquire knowledge about and appreciate the application of key legal provision and policy for adults, children and the family;

11.7 Develop the knowledge and skills to analyse and synthesise information gathered for legal problem solving purposes;

11.8 Develop the skills to critically evaluate the role and impact of public law and policy on the rights of groups likely to come into contact with social work services.

12. The intended generic learning outcomes

By successfully completing this module students will demonstrate:

12.1 Ability to interact with others in a group context and articulate and defend opinions based on critical reasoning, logic and evidence;

12.2 Ability to synthesise and integrate complex knowledge, theoretical perspectives and evidence from different schools and disciplines of enquiry in order to construct an organised and coherent argument in writing;

12.3 Skills commensurate with postgraduate study in presentation and debate, both verbal and written, and in the use of research and empirical data;

12.4 Capacity to gather and evaluate library and web-based resources (e-journals and other on-line resources) appropriate to postgraduate study, make critical judgments about their merits, and use materials to construct a developed argument.

13. A synopsis of the curriculum

The curriculum will address the need for social workers to have in depth knowledge and understanding of the law and its applications to social work practice. The history, context, and nature of English law and law making will be covered including natural law and positivist law and their intersection with ethics and philosophy. The ‘legal framework’ of English social work including legislation, quasi-legislation and social policy will be outlined as will the process - and political context - of policy-making and implementation. Primary, and secondary legislation, policy and guidance and the cases that together constitute ‘the law & policy’ relating to key service user groups will be outlined alongside understanding of the application of legislation and policy as it relates to social work activities, duties and decisions. Judicial interpretation relevant to social work, the role and nature of Courts and the legal profession, legal procedure and the nature of evidence will also be covered. Human Rights and equality law with a particular focus on justice and the promotion of equality in the areas of “race”, gender and sexual orientation, disability and age will be addressed as will legal systems and frameworks relating to safeguarding, mental capacity & confidentiality.

14. Indicative Reading List

Bochel, H & Duncan, S (2007) Making Policy in Theory & Practice. Bristol: Policy Press

Brammer A (2010) Social Work Law 3rd ed Harlow: Pearson Educational

Braye, S. & Preston-Shoot, M. (2010) Practising Social Work Law 3rd edn. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Cunningham J & Cunningham S (2012) Social Policy & Social Work: Sage

2Approved June 2013

UNIVERSITY OF KENT

Dickens, J (2012) Social Work Law and Ethics Routledge

Hudson J & Lowe S (2009) (2nd ed) Understanding the Policy Process. Bristol: Policy Press

Taylor G (2007) Ideology & Welfare: Palgrave Macmillan

Greve B (2012) The Routledge Handbook of the Welfare State. Routledge

Harris P (2006) An Introduction to Law (Law in Context) 7th ed Cambridge University Press

Hinman L (2004) Ethics: A Pluralist Approach to Moral Theory 4th ed Thomson Wadworth

Laird, S. E (2010) Practical Social Work Law, Pearson, Harlow

15. Learning and Teaching Methods, including the nature and number of contact hours and the total study hours which will be expected of students, and how these relate to achievement of the intended learning outcomes.

Contact hours: 22. This will consist of 11 1-hour lectures or workshops and 11 1-hour seminars. This will be supplemented by directed reading.

Study hours: Of 150 hours of study required for a 15 credit module, 22 are contact hours. In addition, students need to engage in approximately 11 hours of private study per week. Private study involves wider reading to develop material received during lectures, preparation for seminars and work for assessment by coursework. It will be supported by an appropriate range of written materials, books, journals and internet or electronic sources posted on Moodle.

The learning and teaching methods will include lectures provided by academic staff and experts in the field and seminars. There will be an emphasis on participatory learning in seminars, where students will operationalise the taught materials and academic literature. Students will engage critically in debates about current legal and policy issues and participate in group discussions based on set readings. These methods aim to critically engage students with law, rights, and justice as relevant to social work practice.

Learning and teaching methods:

Lect

ures

Inte

ract

ive

wor

ksho

ps

Cla

ss d

iscu

ssio

n

Sm

all g

roup

wor

k

Sem

inar

s w

ith in

-dep

th d

ebat

e an

d di

scus

sion

Ret

rievi

ng a

nd s

tudy

ing

mat

eria

l pos

ted

on

Moo

dle

Inde

pend

ent r

eadi

ng a

nd re

view

of

liter

atur

e an

d re

sear

ch

11.1

11.2

3Approved June 2013

UNIVERSITY OF KENT

11.3

11.4

11.5

11.6

11.7

11.8

12.1

12.2

12.3

12.4

16. Assessment methods and how these relate to testing achievement of the intended learning outcomesStudents will write a 3,500 word assignment contributing 60% to the final module mark. This will allow students to demonstrate their ability at critically analysing issues and debates around the contribution of the law, policy, rights and justice to social work and will also show that they are able to locate, evaluate and organise appropriate material in support of their arguments (specific learning outcomes 11.1-11.8).

There will also be a 2 hour in class test which will account for 40% of the overall module mark. This will allow students to demonstrate specific learning outcomes 11.1-11.8. It will assess the students’ knowledge of legal and professional frameworks that shape or prescribe social work practice. It is common for law to be examined via a test or exam in Social Work courses particularly MA’s. It is evidenced as an effective way of assessing students’ knowledge of the law and policy.

Researching information, preparing and submitting the essay will also enable students to achieve generic learning outcomes 12.1-12.4 along with seminar group work.

Students will be awarded a final mark based on the average across the assessed work for this module.

17. Implications for learning resources, including staff, library, IT and space.The module will be taught by lecturers with appropriate academic and/or professional qualifications and with experience of teaching on the BA (Hons) Social Work (and where relevant other degrees) within the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Policy.

The library already has a large number of texts and journals related to social sciences and social work (as we already deliver a BA in Social Work). Some additional materials may be required to update and extend existing resources to ensure they are M level. These purchases will be made from SPSSR’s annual Medway library budget.

18. The School recognises and has embedded the expectations of current disability equality legislation, and supports students with a declared disability or special educational need in its teaching. Within this module we will make reasonable adjustments wherever necessary, including additional or substitute materials, teaching modes or assessment methods for students who have declared and discussed their learning support needs. Arrangements for students with declared disabilities will be made on an individual basis, in consultation with

4Approved June 2013

UNIVERSITY OF KENT

the University’s disability/dyslexia support service, and specialist support will be provided where needed.

19. Campus(es) where module will be delivered: Medway

If the module is part of a programme in a Partner College or Validated Institution, please complete the following:20. Partner College/Validated Institution:21. University School responsible for the programme:

5Approved June 2013

UNIVERSITY OF KENT

SECTION 2: MODULE IS PART OF A PROGRAMME OF STUDY IN A UNIVERSITY SCHOOL

Statement by the School Director of Learning and Teaching/School Director of Graduate Studies (as appropriate): "I confirm I have been consulted on the above module proposal and have given advice on the correct procedures and required content of module proposals"

................................................................

Director of Learning and Teaching/Director of Graduate Studies (delete as applicable)

…………………………………………………

Print Name

..............................................

Date

Statement by the Head of School: "I confirm that the School has approved the introduction of the module and, where the module is proposed by School staff, will be responsible for its resourcing"

.................................................................

Head of School

…………………………………………………….

Print Name

..............................................

Date

SECTION 3: MODULE IS PART OF A PROGRAMME IN A PARTNER COLLEGE OR VALIDATED INSTITUTION

(Where the module is proposed by a Partner College/Validated Institution)

Statement by the Nominated Officer of the College/Validated Institution (delete as applicable): "I confirm that the College/Validated Institution (delete as applicable) has approved the introduction of the module and will be responsible for its resourcing"

.................................................................

Nominated Responsible Officer of Partner College/Validated Institution

………………………………………………….

Print Name

…………………………………………………..

Post

..............................................

Date

………………………………………….

Partner College/Validated Institution

Module Specification TemplateLast updated October 2013

6Approved June 2013