Introductory description

Child law raises highly controversial issues of social policy. Even the most basic issue – identifying who is the legal parent of a child – is fraught with difficulty, given the competing arguments in favour of biological and social parents. Such a decision will permanently affect the child’s identity and definition of the family.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

This module examines important questions about the responsibilities of parents towards their children. What is the limit of parental autonomy when deciding what is best for their children? Do parents have 'rights'? What happens when parents disagree about what is best for their children? When should the state get involved in parental decision- making? What about the child? Should they be viewed as autonomous rights holders or protected as vulnerable dependents? The separation of the parents gives rise to new topics of dispute: with whom should the children live, should they continue to have contact with the other parent, and does the non-residential parent retain any say in the children's upbringing? Such disputes are resolved by the courts according to judicial perceptions of what is in the best interests of the child (itself a contested and mutable concept). Should it always be presumed that continued involvement with both parents is in the best interests of the child? What about the child's own views?
The final section of the course examines the circumstances in which the state may intervene in family life to protect children from harm. This raises profound questions about the relationships between the child, the parent, and the state and the justification for state intervention.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Understand how the law defines and regulates parenthood and how the law deals with disputes between separating parents.
• Evaluate the role of the law in regulating relationships between parent, child and the state
• Identify the relevant sources of key principles and research a particular area of child law using paper and electronic resources and specialist legal materials.
• Apply English law to hypothetical situations involving child law issues
• Analyse past, current and future law and policy developments in terms of theoretical issues and in terms of their impact on individuals & families
• Work independently to gain understanding of material and issues in child law without explanatory lectures
• Understand and use legal concepts, social work terms, policy principles and theoretical ideas in speaking and writing about law and family practice
• Work collaboratively to complete a defined task within a limited time

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Specific reading list for the module

Research element

The essay component of the assessment requires students to carry out some independent research.

Subject specific skills

Reading and analysing case law
Understanding relevant legislation

Transferable skills

Reading and analysing articles
Critical analysis
Problem solving
Negotiation