A new textbook that introduces students to the law governing the practice of social work and social care in Ireland.

• Provides a clear and concise guide to both the legal framework and the substantive law relating to social care and social work.
   
• Presents social care and social work law in an accessible manner, focusing on the specialist functions performed by social care professionals such as child protection, adoption and fostering, disability and mental health.
   
• Discusses both child law and the law relating to vulnerable adults in an Irish context.
   
• Considers the broader issues that affect service users in a social care context such as domestic violence, youth justice and the asylum system.

1. Introduction 

2. Nature and Sources of Law 

3. Courts and Law Officers 

4. Accountability 

5. Social Care Professionals and Legal Proceedings 

Part II: Children and Families

6. Children and Family Breakdown 

7. Child Protection 

8. The Law on Special Care 

9. Children in Care 

10. Adoption 

11. The Youth Justice System (Mairéad Seymour) 

Part III: Vulnerable Adults

12. Older People and the Law

13. Disability Law 

14. Domestic Violence Law 

15. Mental Health Law 

16. The Criminal Justice System 

17. The Asylum Process