"I commend [this welcome new edition], both to the experienced and to the less experienced, as an expert guide through the legal thickets." From the foreword by Sir James Munby, President of the Family Division and of the Court of Protection "This detailed and informative textbook's articulate, precise and accessible style allows students to grasp the basics of social work law. As such, it should be required reading for all student social workers." Dr Kenneth McLaughlin, Manchester Metropolitan University A thorough understanding of the law and legal processes relating to their area of practice is essential for all social workers; at any time the social worker must know what options for intervention are, or are not, available to them and how such intervention may be legally achieved. Social Work Law is a comprehensive, practical and accessible guide to the legal framework that any social worker or student of social work needs to know. The author provides a balanced account of the law as applied to children, families, and vulnerable adults and uses a range of learning tools to help reinforce your understanding: Learning objectives at the start of each chapter help structure your study Exercises and case studies highlight the practical application of the law End of chapter summaries identify the key points from each topic Further reading sections and website references encourage you to explore the area further. This fourth edition has been fully updated to take account of key new legislation since publication of the previous edition, including the Equality Act 2010, the Children and Families Act 2014, and the Care Act 2014, as well as major case law developments. Written with the non-lawyer firmly in mind, Social Work Law is the definitive legal textbook for social work students and practitioners alike.

Alison Brammer is a solicitor and Senior Lecturer in the School of Law, Keele University. Her specialist interests are Social Work Law, Family and Child Law, Law and Vulnerable Adults, and Adult Safeguarding. Alison has spoken at national and international conferences, is heavily involved with training work for Social Services Departments, and is Legal Editor of the Journal of Adult Protection.