New Research in Practice resources aim to support the use of case law in social care practice.
Effective practice includes knowledge of the law but it is often complex. A new podcast explores the role of case law in social care and contains examples of its impact. It provides top tips for interpretation whilst considering the evidence and information.
Regular Case Law and Legal Summaries (CLLS) also highlight implications of selected cases. CLLS support practice, decision making and Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
These resources support work with children and families, young people and adults.
In this podcast, Research and Development Officers Claire Williams and Luciann Blake talk to Laura Pritchard-Jones and Tony Anyaegbu about interpreting and applying case law in practice. The podcast explores how effective practice should be underpinned by good and up-to-date knowledge of relevant case law.
Listen to the podcast.
Reading and interpreting case law is an important part of social work practice. Case Law and Legal Summaries can be used to support practice, decision making and your CPD.
Children & families
Knowledge of legal frameworks and the Children Act 1989 is essential. In 2022, Research in Practice summarised key children’s and family cases. These included:
- The adoption process.
- Different legal routes to permanency for children.
- Decisions about family time (contact) in private and public law proceedings.
- Multiagency working (including with health services and prison/probation services).
After breaches of the Adoption Agencies Regulations (2005) were discovered in Somerset County Council's adoption procedures, local authorities have had to examine their own policies. New videos present key impacts of the case.
This overview provides links to summaries of key judgments from 2022 with more details of the case and of their impact on social work practice.
Our Case Law and Legal Summaries provide a monthly overview and analysis of selected cases, highlighting implications for children and young people's social care practice.
After breaches of the Adoption Agencies Regulations (2005) were discovered in Somerset County Council's adoption procedures, local authorities have had to examine their own policies. This resource presents clips from CoramBAAF legal consultant Alexandra Conroy-Harris's webinar on key impacts of the case.
Adults
Legal literacy connects legal rules with professional priorities and ethical practice. In 2022, Research in Practice summarised key adults cases. These included:
- Best interest decisions (including about the COVID-19 vaccine).
- Deprivation of liberty, and assessing mental capacity.
- Disagreements between local authorities and family members when adults do not have capacity to make a decision.
New videos introduce the concept of legal literacy and its application to adult social care practice.
This overview provides links to summaries of key judgments from 2022 with more details of the case and of their impact on social work practice.
There is also a legal glossary, a catalogue of legal literacy resources and the Legal Literacy: Change Project resources which are designed to support direct practice, supervision and organisational systems.
Our Case Law and Legal Summaries provide a monthly overview and analysis of selected cases, highlighting implications for adults and families social care practice.
Legal literacy involves connecting relevant legal rules with professional priorities and the objectives of ethical practice. In this short video, Professor Suzy Braye introduces the origins, concept and importance of legal literacy, and its application to adult social care practice.
Legal literacy involves connecting relevant legal rules with professional priorities and the objectives of ethical practice. In this short video, Professor Michael Preston-Shoot explores defensible decision-making and offers a legally literate decision-making model for adult social care practice.
In this blog, Professors Suzy Braye and Michael Preston-Shoot discuss the importance of legal literacy in enabling adult social care practitioners to understand and respond to complex situations.
Using case law in social care practice
Case law is a fundamental part of social care practice, but interpreting it can be a challenge for professionals. This podcast with guests Laura Pritchard-Jones and Tony Anyaegbu contains important messages about how to use and apply case law in practice.
Supporting your CPD with Case Law and Legal Summaries
Reading and interpreting case law is an important part of social work practice, but it can often be time consuming and at times difficult to understand. Our Case Law and Legal Summaries can be used to support practice, decision making and your CPD.