Legal Framework for Social Care

This module will introduce students to the Irish legal framework as it pertains to social care work. It will introduce students to some of the relevant core proficiencies of social care as set out in Corú's Standards of Proficiency for Social Care. Topics covered will include the sources of Irish law, the Irish court system and legal personnel, and other aspects of the law, as they apply to the social care profession. 

This is an ab initio module: no prior knowledge of law is assumed. 

The module maps to the following Corú Standards of Proficiency: 1.1, 1.4, 1.7, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14, 1.16, 3.13, 5.1, 5.3. 

1. Describe the structure and administration of the Irish legal system as they relate to the social care profession (Proficiency 5.1).

2. Discuss the main sources of Irish law as they pertain to the social care profession, including legislation relating to the profession, such as the Health and Social Care Professionals Act, 2005 and relevant data protection, freedom of information and health and safety legislation. (Proficiencies 1.1, 1.4, 1.13, 3.13)

3. Demonstrate a knowledge of the standards of conduct, performance and ethics expected of a social care professional, including the importance and limits of confidentiality, and current guidelines and legislation relating to candour and disclosure. (Proficiencies 1.1, 1.4, 1.7, 1.11, 1.12, 1.14)

4. Discuss the law in relation to children and vulnerable adults, including individuals with lack of capacity, as it relates to the work of the social care professional. (Proficiencies 1.12, 1.16)

5. Discuss the constitutional and statutory rights of children to education and the corresponding responsibilities of parents and the State, with particular reference to the social care professional. (Proficiencies 5.1, 5.3)