A Report on Key Social Work Legislation and Its Impact - [University]

This report provides an overview of key social work legislation in the UK, focusing on the protection of children and vulnerable adults. It begins by exploring the sub-divisions within social work settings, including looked after teams, youth offending teams, and mental health teams, and the different specialisms that have emerged. The report then examines the major pieces of legislation over the last twenty-five years, such as the Care Act 2014, the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, and the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and the reasons behind their introduction, particularly in residential homes. It discusses the impact of these laws on care practices, the importance of safeguarding, and the role of care givers. The report highlights how these legislations help in creating a sense of responsibility among care providers and emphasizes the need for skilled employees in health and social care organizations. The report concludes by summarizing the key findings and the impact of these legislations on health care settings.

SOCIAL WORK LAW

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
1. Sub-divisions into specialism within variety of social work settings......................................3
2. Key pieces of social work legislations in the last twenty-five years.......................................5
3. Reasons behind the introduction of laws in Residential Homes..............................................6
4. Use of legislations and their impact.........................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8
APPENDIX 1...................................................................................................................................9
1. Sub-divisions into specialism within variety of social work settings......................................9
APPENDIX 2...................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
In the contemporary scenario, it is required to protect and safeguard children so that they
might do not get affected by different distinct set of harms and abuses. Along with this, for
protecting and safeguarding children, there are several norms and regulations are framed by the
UK government of United Kingdom. The social care units must abide by all these formulated
norms that social care units have to abide by (Carter, Laurie and Dixon-Woods, 2015). The
research Present report proposed herewith focuses upon assessing the pieces of social work
legislation that support safeguards children as well as adults from risks and hazards.
History of social work
Social work has its roots in attempts of society in those activities of society whichthat
deals with issues such as poverty and inequality. It is typically associated In narrow terms, the
concept can be associated with charity work. However, it has applicability into broader terms ;
however, most often, it is considered as a broader concept (Johns, 2014). The modern social
work profession and program owes its existence to the has its roots in 19th century. Several
changes in service delivery procedure have been witnessed since then (Daniel and et. al., 2015).
Psychodynamic influence of various changes in the social work have put their impact on
working procedures in both positive and negative ways (Glasby, 2017).
Social work became specialism
Social work has a professional identity in the early 20th century and there are several with
certain formal standards into place (Kadushin and Harkness, 2014). In this respect, the Council
of Social Work Education has set some standardscriterions for managing professional resources.
Social work became has emerged as a specialist in 1994 with an aim of eliminating poverty (Mc
Grath-Lone, Woodman and Gilbert, 2015). By the yearNevertheless, during 1913, there were
around 413 settlements spread across 32 states withinin the nationUK which improved the lives
of poor people (Kamerman and Kahn, 2014).
1. Sub-divisions into specialism within variety of social work settings
Social care services are basically support facilities which are provided to vulnerable
groups and of people (Kadushin and Harkness, 2014). These vulnerable people group include
those groups thatindividuals who are unhealthy, disabled or endangered by with certain risks and
or hazards. Apart from voluntary organisations and support groups, social care services are also

givenassumed by private and public sector undertakings (Kamerman and Kahn, 2014). The
nature of their services varydiffer largely due to financial involvementengrossment. of budgets
and expenses. Public sector is also referred to as service industry because due to lower profit
orientation is less (Osborne and Brown, 2013). (Refer appendix 1)
Looked after team: : Looked after team These services has been particularly startedwere
initiated for children with the help of two basic teams divisions, that is, “Children Looked
after Team” and “The Leaving Care Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children Team”.
(Refer appendix 1)
Youth offending teams: Youth offending teamsThis team works for young people who
get into trouble with thedue to legal obligations. law. The team usually looks into the
background of a young person and try to guidehelp them so that they can stay away from
crime (Morrison, 2014). (Refer appendix 1)
Mental health team: Mental health team services have been startedThese services were
launched in Ireland with the use of a multi-disciplinary approach; wherein a number of
professionals offer their particular skills in a coordinated and complementary way (Daniel and
et.al.,et.al, 2015). (Refer appendix 1)
Definition of sub-division
There are several divisions in social work that change the scenario of In order to deliver
health care services to large mass of people, it has been categorised into sub-divisions. delivering
health care services and a A few categories sets of health care are discussed as follows:
underneath in detail:
 Health care service in form of Cclinical practice is offered; included where in wherein,
general practitioners render care services to the public at whole (Johns, 2014).
 Social care workers are engaged into rendering prominent services to the public common
people so that health standards can be developedso as to support them in meeting
minimum health standards (Carter, Laurie and Dixon-Woods, 2015).
 Multi-agency professionals are also involved into the social work where various care
professionals work in collaboration with the charitable organiszation.
Private team (YMCA)

As a leading non-profit community, the YMCA was established for giving
responsesresponding to social challenges. The Y also team understands that challenges have
been occurring rising among individuals regarding while availing support and social services.
Hence, youth team is engaged into supporting and delivering prominent services to the needy
people. The YMCA also responds to all issues and challenges which affects the lives of
peoplethat were faced by society. The community also provides support through rendering
suitable services such as child welfare, community health, environmental education and family
services. It is a private team in which several youthsyouth is are engaged into resolvinge all the
challenges occurring in public and social healthfaced in rendering support services (Kadushin
and Harkness, 2014).
2. Key pieces of social work legislations in the last twenty-five years
Government of UK has proposed vivid variety of laws and regulations that are useful in
safeguarding the individuals who require are in need of social care services. Care Quality
Commission is the functioning body that has been engaging all three types of organisations
namely, public, private and voluntary monitoring the activities of health and social care
organisations irrespective of their ownership(Johns, 2014). The Mmajor legislations that health
and social care organisations have to abide by are listed as follows: The Care Act 2014,
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and Mental Capacity Act 2005. Children and old age
people are considered highly vulnerable to dangers and risks due to lack high demand of proper
care and attentionsupport. It has been observed that residential homes have grown drastically
within past few yearsrecent past. This sudden expansion was due to increasingbecause of
increasing needs for fostering children with disabilities. When complexity towards maintaining a
healthy environment increases, residential homes are considered as the last resort.
The Care Act 2014 states that any person who requires care and support irrespective of
his/her age, gender and background is eligible to avail health care services from the community,
groups and other related organisations. The “Together Trust” has been functioning with regard
tofor effective implementation of Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act, 2006. Although, Tthe
organisation though has to followis abided by other legislations too. However, also but its main
objective is to safeguard children and young adults from abuse, harm, etc. This legislation of
2006 helped in protecting children from child labour and slavery. Further, individuals are
protected against the practise of as well as human trafficking and , all other sorts of abuse and

disabilities (Glasby, 2017). On the other hand, Mental Capacity Act 2005 was based on
safeguarding people who lacked the ability to perform mental tasks. and physical actions.
Mental CapacityThis Act helped people to plan and perform their activities which were not
possible without proper social support.
Child protection process (Refer Appendix 2)
3. Reasons behind the introduction of laws in Residential Homes
Past few decades have witnessed severe developments in policies and legislations that
were implemented with an aim to safeguard the rights of individuals. With rapid
industrialisation, the rate of criminal activities was also increasinghas also increased (Milner,
Myers and O'Byrne, 2015). To curb the growing cases of harm and abuse, several social and
healthcare acts were formed. Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act was thus formulated as a
result of the same. The Act and was implemented for respective communities and societies. It is
important to apply such legislations because people require support and care only when they are
unable to access certain daily requirements (Daniel and et. al., 2015). Be it physical, mental,
emotional or financial support; , care services were organised under these legislations.
Another influential factor that has resulted into application of these legislations was the
“security from exploitation at care centres”. Any sort of unethical practises that could originate at
residential homes and care support centres are monitored and regulated through these acts
(Morrison, 2014). The Together Trust gives is accountable for safeguarding children that are
resideing here in this organisation. Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 helps in barring
individuals that contribute towards worsening of patient's’ conditions.
Residential homes do not treat vulnerable people as patients but treat them as family
members. They have their own assessment evaluation criteria which is tomust be fulfilled for
acquiring particular requiredsocial care services (Mc Grath-Lone, Woodman and Gilbert,
2015). Care giverssupporters are form an integral part of residential homes. They can be
enhancers or destructors of organisation's image in eye of society and or communities
community. both at regional and national levels. With implementation of Safeguarding
Vulnerable Groups Act, it becomes a social duty of care giverspatrons to protect patients from
any potential vulnerabilities.

4. Use of legislations and their impact
In earlier times, awareness regarding social care factors was not preferredlimited. It
wasThe patients’ care was always considered as a responsibility of local hospitals and family
members. of the patient. ButHowever with, with the changing scenario, developments took
place and several social care groups came into existence. These groups aims at with a concept to
providing e selfless services without seeking personal or organisational profitsmonetary benefits.
The implementation of these judicial acts helped in creatingresulted into inculcating a sense of
responsibility amongst care giversproviders. This act had a major impact over residential homes
(What social care services are available?,? 2017). Together Trust has been working with
considering Safeguarding act as its principle rule for providing care services to individuals.
Mental Capacity Act provided certainhas offered benefits to mentally disabled personnel.
Residential homes and day care centres have to follow these laws in order to function smoothly
withinin the UK. United Kingdom. Further, the act emphasises on meeting Sspecific needs of
each patient are concentrated rather than giving generalised treatment (Morrison, 2014). From
inspection to appropriate authorisation; , the face of social care has emerged in a positive one
manner after implementation of these different laws.
But Nevertheless, limited workforce can be considered as major issue that a negative
implication that has beenis experienced by residential care homes is declining employmentin
recent past. Since, individuals have better options to earn money, they do not seek any sort of job
in this sectorprefer jobs into this sector. The employees working in health and social care
organisations should be skilled and efficient in their work. Hence, legislations have helped in
theaided to growth and betterment of social care service giverspatrons in social care
organisations.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it has been summarized The study proposed herewith identifies
that there are different professional care agencies who that support health and social care firms
for rendering safeguarding and protection services to vulnerable group. in the area related with
safeguarding and protecting children. On the other hand, it also focuses on gaining knowledge
regarding several understanding reasons for introducing and amending the legislations within
particular area for protecting and safeguarding adults and children from risk from time-to-time.

The research has provided the valuable insights of ways through which specific needs are catered
by care homes. Lastly, it has also assessed potential impact of legislations onto the health care
settings.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Carter, P., Laurie, G. T. and Dixon-Woods, M., 2015. The social licence for research: why care.
data ran into trouble. Journal of medical ethics. pp. medethics-2014.
Daniel, B. and et.al., 2015. Challenging Child Protection: New Directions in Safeguarding
Children. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Glasby, J., 2017. Understanding health and social care. Policy Press.
Johns, R., 2014. Using the law in social work. Learning Matters.
Kadushin, A. and Harkness, D., 2014. Supervision in social work. Columbia University Press.
Kamerman, S. B. and Kahn, A. J., 2014. Privatization and the welfare state. Princeton
University Press.
Mc Grath-Lone, L., Woodman, J. and Gilbert, R., 2015. Safeguarding children and improving
their care in the UK. The Lancet. 386(10004), p.1630.
Milner, J., Myers, S. and O'Byrne, P., 2015. Assessment in social work. Palgrave Macmillan.
Morrison, N. J., 2014. Safeguarding children in primary care: an exploration of general
practitioner and health visitor understanding and role (Doctoral dissertation, Queen's
University Belfast).
Osborne, S. P. and Brown, L., 2013. Handbook of innovation in public services. Edward Elgar
Publishing.
Online
What social care services are available?.? 2017. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/Pages/what-social-care-
services-are-available.aspx>. [Accessed on 28th January, 2017].

APPENDIX 1
1. Sub-divisions into specialism within variety of social work settings
Indulgence of private sector in social care services has been increasing since
technological developments have taken pace (Kadushin and Harkness, 2014). Ambulances,
machinery, medical research, training institutions, etc. are the major advancements of social care
in private sector. Since, orientation of this sector is mostly towards earning huge profits, the
benefits to society and local communities are less (Milner, Myers and O'Byrne, 2015).
Residential homes, private nurseries and hospitals have been established for providing social
care services (Carter, Laurie and Dixon-Woods, 2015).
Looked after team: The team is responsible for managing and supporting children and
young people who are looked after by Harrow Council. However, on the other hand, The
Leaving Care and Unaccompanied Asylum Children team is responsible for young adults up to
the age of 21 to 24 years who prefer to live independently (Osborne and Brown, 2013).
Youth offending teams: The team is also engaged in running local crime prevention
programmes and with that, they help young people to keep distance from criminal activities
(Carter, Laurie and Dixon-Woods, 2015). However, on the other hand, the work profile of such
team do not turn out to be useful when youth is highly engaged in criminal acts.
Mental health team: The major strength of team is that it involves a number of
professionals such as addiction counsellor, behavioural therapists, psychiatric nurses and
vocational support trainers. However, on the other hand, team sometimes lack in pointing out the
areas of improvement.
Social work becomes a profession especially when the practitioners engage in different
services that are essential for child and youth protection (Milner, Myers and O'Byrne, 2015).
Legislations for sub divisions in social work have been changed wherein new settings are
included for more safety and security purposes. In social work, there are different sub- divisions
such as clinical services, GP services, etc. In the UK, for more than 100 years, social workers
have cared for people in every stage of life (Mc Grath-Lone, Woodman and Gilbert, 2015).
Social workers help others to overcome the most difficult challenges of life and it also manages
troubles of people related to addiction, abuse, unemployment and mental illness.
APPENDIX 2

CHILD PROTECTION PROCESS
This multi- agency procedure has been designed for the purpose of assisting agencies to work
together to safeguard children. The procedure is aligned with NYSCB Referral and Assessment
Procedure which aims to help children who are in immediate danger. Under Section 47 of the
Children Act 1989, if they have a reasonable cause to suspect a child who is suffering from
significant harm, then the action related to child welfare can be taken into account.
At the initial stage, decision is made by an agency with statutory child protection powers that
take emergency action which is necessary to safeguard a child. Further, from legal terms,
immediate strategy is required to be formed to discuss children’s social care and health aspects
including NSPCC.
Afterwards, relevant agency takes decision and sees child and outcomes recorded as a part of
the safety program. At this stage, children safeguarding agency takes decision regarding proper
outcomes for child protection.
Along with this, a referral request form is required to be given by the members of public to
local authority child protection team to support and protect a child.
Children in need may be assessed under section 17 of the
Children Act 1989 which is developed related to the special educational needs of a child.
Specific attention is being given to a child who tends to commit criminal activities. Social
worker is entitled to assess the entire process.