SOWK309-16S2 (C) Semester Two 2016

Social Work Practice and the Law

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 11 July 2016
End Date: Sunday, 13 November 2016
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Friday, 22 July 2016
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Friday, 7 October 2016

Description

This course will examine the role of law in our society and the importance of the law for social workers, social work agencies and social work clients. Specific areas of the law that are particularly relevant to social work practitioners will be covered. In addition, wider legal issues will be considered within the broad parameters of social justice and human rights. There will be a particular focus on the relevance of the Te Tiriti O Waitangi for the social work profession.

Substantive areas for learning are:
• Legal Responsibilities within the role, function and activities of a social worker
• Gathering and giving out information
• General understanding of the criminal law
• The role and operation of law-making bodies in New Zealand

Goals
• To provide students with a preliminary grasp of the laws, concepts and processes that
            determine, affect and interact with social work and human service work
• To build a basic knowledge base of New Zealand’s government and legal structures

Learning Outcomes

  • General
    1. Understand some of the processes, concepts and linkages between laws and structures that impact on the individual, family and community
    2. Work within/follow broad guidelines, functions, or instructions
    3. Appreciate the importance and value of critical thinking and theorising

    Specific
    Students will gain:
    4. An appreciation of the legal responsibilities within the role, function and activities of a social worker
    5. Ability to define custody/guardianship, parenting orders and how they relate to the work of social workers
    6. An understanding of the relevant Acts and their principles and application These include:
  • Care and protection under CYPF Act 1989
  • The Privacy Act
  • The Official Information Act
  • Evidence Amendment Act
  • Criminal records (Clean Slate Act) 2004

Prerequisites

135 points from required SOWK and HSRV courses, and must meet the minimum requirements for Group B and Group C courses from the BSW degree. 90 points from Group B (elective courses). 15points from Group C (optional courses).

Restrictions

SOWK517, SOWK616

Course Coordinator

Cindy Zeiher

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Critical Analysis Essay 05 Sep 2016 40% 3,000 words
Praxis Implications Essay 15 Oct 2016 40% 2,500 words
Online Posts 15 Oct 2016 20% 200 words per 4 posts each worth 5%


1. Assignment worth 30%
2. Take-home test worth 20%
3. Final exam worth 50%

Textbooks / Resources

Readings:

Care of Children Act 2004
Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989

In general, materials will be supplied by lecturers in class, or posted on Learn.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $717.00

International fee $2,913.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Language, Social and Political Sciences .

All SOWK309 Occurrences

  • SOWK309-16S2 (C) Semester Two 2016
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