This book throws light on legal and courtroom processes and procedures, encouraging readers to see involvement with the courts as a positive element of their practice, rather than something to be afraid of. By encouraging social workers to develop the skills to perform confidently in the court environment, they will be better able to support service users faced with court involvement. This guide is presented within an integrated framework of law and social work and gives a unique opportunity to demystify courtroom and legal procedures and to identify the skills required of social workers involved in court work.
This new text will build on Courtroom Skills for Social Workers, by updating the legal and research content and strengthening the material on recording. There will also be additional contributions from service users and more practice examples, so as to make the book interesting and relevant for qualified social workers. It will assist social workers in meeting their CPD requirements for continuing registration and also offer a framework for short in-service training courses on court skills and recording, both areas in which social workers′ performance comes under the scrutiny of other professionals.
This highly practical text surveys the myriad legal and ethical issues that social workers encounter both in daily practice and under special circumstances. Its initial section presents concepts in law and ethics that unite practitioners, researchers, and academics in the field, such as confidentiality, informed consent, and the interplay between social work and administrative and judicial systems. A selection of representative cases illustrates legal aspects involved in providing services to families, children, elders, and persons with disabilities. Also included are chapters on advocacy in social work, both in its potential to influence policy and on the global stage as part of the ongoing struggle for human rights and dignity. Among the topics covered: Confidentiality and the social worker-client relationship Liability issues for social workers in the clinical context Legal issues arising in the context of social work research The social worker and forensic social work Social worker involvement in access to school and school services Social work in the context of health care Legal issues working with immigrants, refugees, and asylees The interface between social work and human rights Legal Issues in Social Work Practice and Research is an interdisciplinary text aimed at social work, mental health, and legal professionals. It enhances the power of social work as an integrative system to support clients’ rights and agency.
'See You In Court' answers questions frequently asked by social workers in real cases, and gives information on court structures, basic rules of evidence, the roles of those involved in the proceedings, and court etiquette. The process of giving evidenceis discussed, including how to deal with cross-examination.
The first year of practice can be the most challenging for newly qualified social workers. This book takes a practical look at the transition from student to practitioner and covers applying for a first post and managing the first years of practice, including specific guidance on topics such as induction, supervision and Post-Qualifying awards. Also covered are court skills, team working, report writing and record keeping. Each of these sections within the book contains critical commentary from both an employer’s and newly qualified social worker’s perspective, bringing alive the importance of these issues.
The Model Rules of Professional Conduct provides an up-to-date resource for information on legal ethics. Federal, state and local courts in all jurisdictions look to the Rules for guidance in solving lawyer malpractice cases, disciplinary actions, disqualification issues, sanctions questions and much more. In this volume, black-letter Rules of Professional Conduct are followed by numbered Comments that explain each Rule's purpose and provide suggestions for its practical application. The Rules will help you identify proper conduct in a variety of given situations, review those instances where discretionary action is possible, and define the nature of the relationship between you and your clients, colleagues and the courts.
The first year of practice can be a particularly daunting and challenging time for newly-qualified social workers (NQSWs). This fully revised and updated book directly addresses the crucial transition period between finishing off the social work degree and managing the first years of practice. It offers down to earth, practical guidance on applying for your first post and managing your work load in the first few years. From useful sections on the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE), supervision, dealing with conflict, court skills, report writing, and team work to what professionalism actually looks like in practice, this book will throw a life belt to not only NQSWs entering the workplace but for students on qualifying programmes who wish to develop their skills beyond graduation.
"Social workers are frequently called to testify as experts in courts of law on a variety of subjects. Courts rely on information offered in evidence as the basis for decisions rendered, and oral testimony by witnesses is often the major source of evidence provided at a trial. Witnesses who testify as experts play a critical role in interpreting data, explaining complex material, and drawing informed inferences on the basis of their training and experience. Answering specific legal issues in particular jurisdictions often requires review of layers of applicable local, state, or federal laws that apply to a case. Although this law note is not intended to be a substitute for legal consultation regarding specific issues that affect social workers' expert testimony in a particular case, many examples are discussed, and social workers who do testify, or may be called to testify, as experts will want to have this volume ready to hand." -- Publisher website.
