Law and policy dilemmas
Learning Objectives
After considering this resource, you should have an awareness of the relationship between policy and practice.
Law and policy provides a major backdrop to the field of social work and both on placement and as a qualified social worker, you will need to ensure the decisions you make are consistent with the law and in line with policy, be that at national, local or agency level. At times, this relationship with law and policy and everyday practice can lead to conflict. When this happens, you will need to remain clear about what you are trying to achieve in your role and be sure to consider the 'bigger picture'.
In the following case study, Lee, a newly qualified social worker, talks about the first case he worked on in an agency for adults with learning disabilities and the dilemmas he was faced with involving law and policy.
Reflective Questions
- What do you understand by the idea of seeing the 'big picture' of policy?
- What do you think the pitfalls are of practising without law and policy as context?
- If you were Lee, how would you 'champion' the family's situation given what he learnt about policy?
- How might the professional value base impact Lee's actions?