Cymru

Social Work Law in Wales - Policy Practice and Education Group. The members of the group are drawn from a wide range of social work backgrounds including academia, with expert knowledge in mental health, mental capacity, deprivation of liberty safeguards, autism, adults and children’s safeguarding, continuing healthcare, direct payments and the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014.

Our primary objectives are; to be a resource to members and the wider social work profession in Wales, to promote and support legal knowledge, competence and confidence in practice and to respond to relevant Governmental Consultation and reviews. The group will also act as the central point reference point for ensuring a Welsh voice and perspective in policy, practice and education which relates to both Wales and England legislation. New members are very welcome. Please email wales@basw.co.uk to register your interest.

Members:

  • Cathie Long
  • Phillip Mitchell
  • Roger Laidlaw
  • Jeanette Thomas
  • Linda Harry
  • Christine Jon
  • Professor John Williams
  • Joel Sven-Martin
  • Mike Lewis

Useful links

Resources from the second edition of Evidence Matters in Family Justice

Social Care Wales have announced the publication of the Wales’ second edition of Evidence Matters in Family Justice. This resource has been prepared by Research in Practice and Social Care Wales with substantial involvement of professionals working with the family courts. It builds upon and updates the original edition and now reflects the law as it stood in April 2018.

The resource aims to support the best possible outcomes for children who come into contact with the family justice system in Wales by helping social workers and the organisations they work with to:

  • Make the best possible decisions in their work with families, leading up to and including work for care proceedings,
  • Use research in assessments and care planning to make well informed decisions,
  • Increase their confidence and competence in social work expertise across the whole family justice system.

As such the resource sits well with other professional development initiatives such as the framework of Continuing Professional Education and Development for social workers (CPEL).

Whilst primarily targeting social workers, their supervisors and managers, and those involved in supporting education and workforce development, it will also benefit others involved in the family justice system including lawyers and family court advisors.

The resource comprises a handbook addressing the evolving policy and legal landscape in the family justice system in Wales and an overview of social work in Wales. This is accompanied by three practice briefings relating to:

  • Evidence requirements and the standard of proof in the family court. This aims to develop clear understanding of what a court must decide, and help identify and prepare effective evidence that meets the needs of the court.
  • Evidence informed practice and research which aims to help practitioners integrate research and other aspects of evidence in social work practice.
  • Analysis and assessment, which seeks to strengthen skills and critical thinking and judgments about risk and the capacity to change.

Each briefing includes key information supplemented by tools to help make the most of the material, examples from practice, signposts and links to further information and resources.

Resources