On the evidence for viruses in social work systems: law, ethics and practice

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore an apparent disjunction between espoused professional ethics and ethics in practice, and between law in statute and law in action. Social work in England is used as the main case study, however, research from other jurisdictions is drawn upon to demonstrate wider concern about departures from moral and legal rules. The evidence of the disjunction is presented, drawing principally from judicial review cases, investigations by the Commissioner for Local Administration (Ombudsman), inquiry evidence and government reports. The article critiques the current regulatory apparatus in England and the mechanisms by which staff and service users can hold public organisations, particularly councils with social services responsibilities, accountable. The interface between law and ethics is reviewed. The paper concludes with observations about strengthening legal and ethical literacy in practice.

Keywords:

• Law
• Ethics
• Registration
• Standards
• Practice
• Management
• Social Work

Notes

1. 2 FLR 701.

2. 1 FLR 482.

3. EWHC 1306 (Fam).

4. 10 CCLR 87.

5. 1 FLR 159.

6. 10 CCLR 439.

7. Fam Law 66.

8. Legal Action, January, 28 pp.

9. 7 CCLR 553.

10. 7 CCLR 589.

11. 9 CCLR 622.

12. 4 CCLR 295.

13. 1 FLR 253.

14. 11 CCLR 273.

15. 1 CCLR 104.

16. 1 CCLR 57.

17. The Times, 16 May 2003.

18. Legal Action, July, 18 pp.

19. 1 FLR 43.

20. EWCA Civ 439.

21. 6 CCLR 194.

22. The Times, 10 May 2000.

23. 2 FCR 673.

24. 3 CCLR 109.

25. 7 CL 186.

26. 7 CCLR 472.

27. The Times, 22 September 2005.

28. 3 All ER 193.

29. The Times, 27 December 2007.

30. 2 All ER 237.

31. The Times, 24 January 2003.

32. UKHL 10.

33. 1 CCLR 57.

34. 7 CCLR 472.

35. 7 CCLR 589.

36. 3 All ER 353.

37. 3 All ER 193.

38. 2 FLR 612.

39. UKHL 23.

40. For example, LA v GSCC [2007] CST 985. SW; Forbes v GSCC [2008] CST 1267. SW.