The Social Worker's Guide to Children and Families Law

The Social Worker's Guide to Children and Families Law is an accessible, jargon-free guide to the key elements of the law that concern practising social workers in children and families teams in England and Wales.

This resource for everyday practice includes explanations of the fundamental concepts of parental responsibility and human rights, and the detailed provisions of private and public law, including adoption. The legal issues raised by atypical families (such as those in gay relationships, of mixed heritage or with children or parents with disabilities) are also covered throughout the text. It includes bullet lists, checklists and charts for quick and easy reference, as well as highlighted points for practice and illustrative case scenarios to put the law into context.

This guide will be an invaluable resource for practising social workers, as well as trainees, students and those studying for post-qualifying awards.

Acknowledgements. Preface. Part 1: Fundamentals. Chapter 1. Human Rights. Chapter 2. Key Points in Children and Families Law. Chapter 3. Parental Responsibility and Children's Autonomy. Part 2: Private Law. Chapter 4. Section 8 Orders - Specific Issue and Prohibited Steps. Chapter 5. Residence and Special Guardianship. Chapter 6. Contact. Part 3: The Local Authority's Support Role. Chapter 7. Section 17 Children in Need. Chapter 8. Accommodation. Part 4: Child Protection. Chapter 9. Section 47 Investigations. Chapter 10. Emergency Action. Part 5: Care Proceedings. Chapter 11. The Threshold Criteria. Chapter 12. Care Proceedings - Interim Stages. Chapter 13. Care Proceedings- Care Orders and Care Plans. Chapter 14. Contact and Enforcing Care Plans. Part 6: Adoption. Chapter 15. Adoption Fundamentals and Adoption by Consent. Chapter 16. Placement Orders and Contact. Appendix 1 - Children Act 1989 Key Sections by Number and by Subject. Appendix 2 - Residence, Special Guardianship and Adoption - at a Glance. Appendix 3 - Contact Aide Memoire. Appendix 4 - Care / Accommodation - at a Glance. Appendix 5 - Summary of Duties to `Looked After' Children. Appendix 6 - Emergency Protection Orders Aide Memoire. Appendix 7 - Care / Supervision orders - at a Glance. Appendix 8 - Care Planning Scenario. Table of statutes. Table of cases. Index