The role of law in welfare reform: critical perspectives on the relationship between law and social work practice

This paper considers the complex relationships between law, welfare policy and social work practice, to address the question of what role legal frameworks might play in achieving welfare policy and professional practice goals. The authors trace how law has developed as a core component of professional practice, and challenge some of the false expectations placed upon it. They then draw on findings from an international knowledge review of law teaching in social work education to propose a model for understanding how professional practice incorporates legal perspectives, and propose ways in which legal frameworks can provide positive and constructive vehicles for accountable practice.