Social Work Field Education

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Week 6: Legal Considerations
Much like the social work code of ethics, laws stipulate how social workers conduct and deliver social services. Every social services agency and program
must adhere to specific laws. For example, the establishment of child welfare laws and standards has altered how social workers respond to cases of child
abuse.
This week, you explore the legal context of your professional practice. You also examine potential interactions that may violate the law, including approaches
to prevent breaches of law in social work practice.
As you work, consider how the law may affect the way you interact with potential clients and the services offered by your agency.
Important Note: Please use the media player below to hear an audio course introduction that will give you more background information about the course
topic. Also provided is a transcriipt for you to download and print out.
Walden University, LLC. (Producer). (2013). Legal considerations [Audio file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 1 minute.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
Apply legal considerations in field education experience
Analyze challenges in adhering to legal considerations during field education experience
Analyze diversity in relation to social work practice
Analyze cultural competence in relation to social work practice
Apply social work practice skills
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Birkenmaier, J., & Berg-Weger, M. (2018). The practicum companion for social work: Integrating class and fieldwork (4th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson.
Chapter 9, “Social Work Practice and the Legal System” (pp. 207-224)
Required Media
Walden University, LLC. (Producer). (2013e). Legal considerations [Audio file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Note: This audio introduction is located in the “Introduction and Objectives” section. The approximate length of this media piece is 1 minute.
Accessible player
Assignment 1: Week 6 Blog
Consider the topics covered in this week’s resources and incorporate them into your blog.
By Day 3
Post a blog post that includes:
Any legal considerations during your field education experience that you may have had to address or that you might address
An explanation of potential challenges in adhering to legal considerations during your field education experience
Required Readings
Birkenmaier, J., & Berg-Weger, M. (2018). The practicum companion for social work: Integrating class and fieldwork (4th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson.
Chapter 9, “Social Work Practice and the Legal System” (pp. 207-224)