Knowledge and Understanding - Level 7

Students should be introduced to the legal frameworks which underpin practice. This will not be restricted to child care and protection as students will need a basic grounding in the legal context in which all social workers operate. However, they need to be made aware that there are some areas specific to child care and protection. For example they should be introduced to the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 and United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989).

Students need to be aware that in addition to legal frameworks, guidance exists at different levels. For example local child protection procedures, national guidance e.g. Protecting Children - a Shared Responsibility (1998). Students could be asked to explore how local child protection procedures might be applied to a case scenario.

Students should be introduced to core theories which are relevant to social work practice generally. These will include theories which are particularly relevant to child care and protection. For example students could be encouraged to examine how sociological theory links to child care and protection and consider the impact of poverty on children.

Students should be introduced to child care and protection in context. This will include an historical overview of key events and their impact on the development of social work practice. This would include the impact/development of specific areas of practice and exploring the changing culture within which social workers operate. This could include how the Maria Colwell Inquiry (1974) led to the development of child protection registers, the discourse surrounding the death of Jamie Bulger (1993), the impact of the Orkney Inquiry on current practice and legislation and the 21st Century Review: Changing Lives (2006). Students should be asked to reflect on how local practice may be affected by particular issues.

The SSSC Codes of Practice states that Social Workers should "recognise and respect the roles and expertise of workers from other agencies" (2003, 6.7).

Students need to be aware of social work's place alongside other professionals. We recommend that this includes some taught input into different professionals' roles and responsibilities. Although this will be taught within a general context there will be specific core texts in relation to child care and protection which we recommend students read. This should include The Child Protection Audit and Review, "It's Everyone's Job to Make Sure I'm Alright " (2002).