You will learn about varying definitions of childhood and family and then explore underpinning principles of the law relating to child rights and parental responsibilities. You will look at the key legislation relating to children and families across the UK, which all share a number of core principles, including the non-intervention, no order and welfare principles.

The course will show how it is not always straightforward to determine whether the exercise of parental responsibility benefits the child, and that there may be competing views, based on different values and beliefs, about how a child’s best interests should be met in relation to the decisions that are made about their lives and futures.

This OpenLearn course is an adapted extract from the Open University course K271 Social work law.

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• define childhood and recognise how it is perceived
• recognise the underpinning principles for the law relating to social work with children and families
• identify the key policy guidance for social workers
• understand what is meant by 'children's' rights' and how are these promoted.