Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Legal and Ethical Practice: Honours

• Unit Code

  SWK5110

• Year

  2016

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

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Description

This unit explores the legal, professional and ethical opportunities and constraints of social work practice. Students will consider the tensions and dilemmas of socio-legal practice and research through an examination of social work interventions in selected settings in contemporary Australia, with specific reference to rural, regional and remote (RRR) issues. This unit will also examine the role of law reform and the relationship between the law and ethical practice. Students will critically analyse and deliberate on ethical and legal issues in social work professional practice and research.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded SWK4110

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Analyse dynamics of power, access to resources, and the impact of difference in the exercise of professional ethical obligations and in the conduct of social work research.
2. Assess the philosophical and ethical base shaping the formation of the law and how these relate to the ethical principles of the Australian Association of Social Work.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of negligence, conflicts of interests, limits of own expertise, and confidentiality with respect to social work practice.
4. Demonstrate the application of Australian standards with regard to the ethical conduct of social research.
5. Develop original analyses and practice responses to ethical dilemmas in professional practice.
6. Identify the major Commonwealth and State legal structures and describe their respective jurisdictions.

Unit Content

1. Codes of Ethics.
2. Conflicts of interest and the limits of expertise.
3. Ethics and power in the professional relationships.
4. Exploring challenges to ethical choices in practice.
5. Guidelines for ethical decision-making.
6. Guidelines for the ethical conduct of social research.
7. Identifying the legal bases and influences in social work practice.
8. Introduction to criminal law and social work.
9. Negligence, issues of confidentiality and informed consent.
10. Overview of the legal system in Australia.
11. State and Federal law and the family.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Seminars, on-line discussion groups, case studies, guest speakers and audiovisual resources.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• Jones, M., & Basser Marks, L.A. (2000). Explorations on law and disability in Australia. Leichhardt, Australia: Federation Press.
• Taylor, S.P. (2005). Nationality, refugee status and state protection: Explorations of the gap between man and citizen. Leichhardt, Australia: Federation Press.
• Strom-Gottfried, K., Krysik, J. L., & Finn, J. (2007). Ethics in social work practice : a primer. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill.
• Bartlett, R.H. (2004). Native title in Australia. (2nd ed.). Sydney, Australia: LexisNexis Butterworths.
• Bottomley, S., & Parker, S. (1997). Law in context. (2nd ed.). Leichhardt, Australia: Federation Press.
• Brayne, H., & Carr, H. (2005). Law for social workers. (9th ed.). Oxford; NY: Great Clarendon Street.
• Charlesworth, S., Foreman, L., & Turner, J.N. (1990). Lawyers, social workers and families. Leichhardt, Australia: Federation Press.
• Dalrymple, J., & Burke, B. (1999). Anti-oppressive practice: Social care and the law. Buckingham, England: Open University Press.
• Israel, M., & Goldsmith, A.J. (2000). Criminal justice in diverse communities. Leichhardt, Australia: Federation Press.
• Wexler, D.B., & McMahon, M. (2003). Therapeutic jurisprudence. (Special of Law in Context. Vol.20(2). (2nd ed.). Leichhardt, Australia: Federation Press.
• Katter, N.A. (1999). Duty of care in Australia. Pyrmont, Australia: LBC Information Services.
• Strom-Gottfried, K., Krysik, J. L., & Finn, J. (2007). Ethics in social work practice : a primer. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill.
• Lishman, J. (2012). Social work education and training. London, UK: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
• Krysik, J., & Finn, J. (2010). Research for effective social work practice. (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.
• Laster, K., & Arup, C. (2001). For the public good: Pro bono and the legal profession in Australia. Leichhardt, Australia: Federation Press.
• Murray, J. (2005). Work, family and the law. Leichhardt, Australia: Federation Press.
• Sourdin, T. (2004). Alternative dispute resolution and the court. Leichhardt, Australia: Federation Press.

Website References

• Values and Ethics: Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines/publications/e52
• National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines/publications/e72
• Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines/publications/r39

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