HS191-4-PS-SO:
Introduction to Law and Social Policy

The details
2023/24
Health and Social Care (School of)
Southend Campus
Spring & Summer
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 28 June 2024
15
22 August 2023

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

BA L500 Social Work,
BA L500CO Social Work,
BA L550 Social Care,
BA L550CO Social Care

Module description

The module will support the student to explore and understand the foundations of legislation, social policy and social care practice. This will include an overview of core legislation in the areas of children and young people, mental health, youth and adult justice safeguarding and protection and disability.

Module aims

The module provides the student with an introduction and overview of the inter-relationships between law, regulations, legislation and social care practice, including codes of practice, work place policies and procedures etc, as well as the relationship between social policy, legislation and social care practice including the care worker’s responsibilities, professional boundaries and working practices.

The importance and centrality of ethics, values and moral considerations within social care work practice, social policy and legislation are emphasised in this module.

Module learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, the [learner] will be able to:
1. Describe and explain the relationships between legislation, regulations, professional codes of conduct and work place policies and procedures as they apply in social care practice.
2. Define and apply concepts of social justice and human rights when examining social policy and legislation.
3. Identify and outline policy and legislative sources (e.g. cases, reports, white papers, etc.) that inform contemporary social care practice.

Module information

Learning activities will include tutor led presentations and group discussions of the themes related to social policy and legislation to including, youth justice, mental health, children and adult safeguarding and protection, rights and liberty, disability, and domestic violence.


The module will introduce interventions relating to social care practice, social policy and legislation including accountability and responsibility (e.g., assessment and support duties). It will provide a brief introduction to the notions of social justice and human rights, an overview of the available sources of information and an introduction to key cases, reports, white papers etc. that have had implications for contemporary social care practice.

Learning and teaching methods

Overview: The module will combine a number of different teaching approaches, incorporating lectures, group work, computers skill-based sessions and student led sessions to introduce key concepts in social work research while relating it to everyday practice

Lectures: Lectures by module lead and colleagues.

Independent:
Small/ problem-based learning (PBL) group work and independent work on searching the literature and other research related activities. Practice and presentations to be discussed on sphere of practice.

Placement:N/a

Online: Online resources will be made available on Moodle. Tutorials: It is the student’s responsibility to seek tutorial support as needed.

Skills: The student will be expected to engage in a range of research related activities: searching the literature, visiting the library, attending seminars, and participating in conferences.

Bibliography

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Single Answer Multiple Choice Test    20% 
Coursework   Multiple Answer Multiple Choice Test paper    30% 
Coursework   Prepared 1 hour Test paper    50% 
Coursework   Single Answer Multiple Choice Test (29/05/2024)     
Coursework   Multiple Answer Multiple Choice Test paper (29/05/2024)     
Coursework   Prepared 1 hour Test paper (29/05/2024)     

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Mr Gert Scheepers, email: gschee@essex.ac.uk.
Gert Scheepers
Sarah Wiblin T: 01702328229 E: ugsocialworkqueries@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
No
No
No

External examiner

Dr Panagiotis Pentaris
Goldsmiths, University of London
Programme Leader
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 24 hours, 24 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information
Health and Social Care (School of)

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