| Purpose: This module is directed at students studying towards a social work degree. When aiding a client, students studying towards becoming social workers should be able to identify the legal aspects of the problem, explain the appropriate legal principles, and suggest solutions that are consistent with the legal rules applying in the circumstances. A sound understanding of a lawyer's role and the legal process would assist in protecting a client's legal interest from interference by others or by the state. If a social worker's client is involved in a court case, whether as plaintiff, defendant, witness or accused, students who will become social workers must be sufficiently familiar with the legal system and the law of evidence to be able to outline the role and functioning of the court where he or she will appear, as well as the implications of the court proceedings. Understanding the position of children in the legal system is particularly important. Failure to provide a client with the necessary information, or if the social worker does not know where such information may be obtained may actually prejudice his or her client. Moreover, social problems are best solved by means of interdisciplinary cooperation. Social workers are increasingly required to mediate in family problems which end up in court, where they (the social workers) form part of an interdisciplinary team, such as the team that is constituted by the family advocate and a family counsellor, especially to ensure the best interests of children involved in divorce suits. |
