Human Service Workers and the Law

Course aim

To enable students to develop and apply legal knowledge and skills required of human service workers and to critical examine legal responses to social issues in contemporary practice.

Course content

Students will gain an understanding of key pieces of legislation which directly impact the practice environment and the profession. Students will develop an introductory knowledge of the law, including child protection law, family law, youth justice, domestic violence, discrimination and human rights law, criminal law, employment and worker’s rights, housing law and the role of the Coroner. As well as the understanding of the relationship between professional ethics and law. Students will be able to apply their knowledge to the legal protections and risks for human service workers, duty of care and confidentiality and the social justice and ethical issues involved.

Textbook(s)

Kennedy, R, Richards, J, Leiman, T. 2016, Integrating Human Service Law and Practice, 4th edition, Oxford University Press, Melbourne

Prerequisite(s)

Social Work and Human Services (including MBSP double degree) students need to have completed WELF 1014 Human Service Provision prior to enrolling in this course. Psychology students need to have completed WELF 1013 Professional Development: Counselling and Psychology prior to enrolling in this course.

Corequisite(s)

Nil

Teaching method

Note: These components may or may not be scheduled in every study period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Assessment

Case study, Examination

Fees

EFTSL*: 0.125
Commonwealth Supported program (Band 4S)
To determine the fee for this course as part of a Commonwealth Supported program, go to:
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Fee-paying program for domestic and international students
International students and students undertaking this course as part of a postgraduate fee paying program must refer to the relevant program home page to determine the cost for undertaking this course.

Non-award enrolment
Non-award tuition fees are set by the university. To determine the cost of this course, go to:
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Not all courses are available on all of the above bases, and students must check to ensure that they are permitted to enrol in a particular course.

* Equivalent Full Time Study Load. Please note: all EFTSL values are published and calculated at ten decimal places. Values are displayed to three decimal places for ease of interpretation.