Overview

Law and Legislation for Social Service Workers presents a plain language, practical, student-friendly approach to the important legal issues relevant to social service workers. Designed specifically to meet college level learning requirements, the text encourages critical thinking and sensitivity to social issues that students will encounter in their work life.

Top ∧Features

• Introduces the statutory regimes that social service workers need to know, such as child protection and income maintenance, and how the law affects the practice of social service work in each sector.
• Describes the Canadian legal system, including the constitutional division of powers and the Charter of Rights.
• Defines terms and concepts such as statutes, regulations, policy and common law.
• Explains the crucial difference between providing legal information and providing legal advice.
• Stresses the importance of social service workers understanding their legal parameters, and working effectively with lawyers to avoid potential liability.
• Describes the diverse range of services and career paths available to social services workers (for example, youth programs, women’s shelters, children’s aid societies, anger management programs, addictions counselling, immigrant services, housing and community development, halfway houses, and much more).
• Explains the importance of the Social Work and the Social Service Work Act, 1998 and the self-regulating Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers’ Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
• Emphasizes best practices and describes pitfalls to avoid, to protect against liability or breach of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
• Includes “Critical Perspectives” features offering different viewpoints on controversial issues or legislation.
• Presents practical exercises designed to encourage students to research social service resources in their own community.
• Includes brief summaries of more than 30 important statutes for quick reference.
• Offers end-of-chapter review questions to aid learning, and scenario-based discussion questions.
• Contains a glossary of key terms and an index.
• Includes an instructor's guide.

Top ∧Content Summary

• Law and social service workers
• Canadian legal system

• Child and Family Services Act
• Family Law
• Education

• Mental health
• Issues in health care: access, aging, and privacy
• Income maintenance legislation

• Criminal Justice System
• Correctional Services for adults
• Youth Criminal Justice Act
• Community policing

• Trial process and evidence
• Note taking and report writing
• Accessing legal services
• Alternatives to the court system: alternative dispute resolution

• Employment rights
• Immigration and refugees
• Housing
• Human rights

• Non-profit structures
• Privacy and access to information
• Liability and accountability of social service workers