Social Work & the Legal Context (SWSP2066)
Information valid for Semester 2, 2025
Course level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences
Units
2
Duration
One Semester
Attendance mode
In Person
Class hours
3W
Incompatible
SW246 or SW304
Assessment methods
Group project, intra-semester exam, final exam
Course enquiries
Doctor Jemma Venables ()
Dr Jemma Venables (jemma.venables@uq.edu.au)
Current course offerings
Course offerings | Location | Mode | Course Profile |
Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025) | St Lucia | In Person | Profile unavailable |
Please Note: Course profiles marked as not available may still be in development.
Course description
The primary purpose of this subject is to develop a critical awareness of the interaction between social work and the law in contemporary social work practice. The course is divided into three modules. The first module explores some of the key legal principles and processes that underpin the Australian legal system. The second module gives insight into how the law in relation to human rights, child protection, domestic violence, guardianship, mental health and criminal law can influence social work practice. The third module discusses the legal responsibilities of social workers. A workshop format for teaching ensures that students are given every opportunity to engage actively in the learning and embed skills in finding and using the law in the social work context so that they have the capacity to update and develop their knowledge when in practice.