LW6057 - Disability Law

What will I learn on this module?

In this module you will develop a critical understanding of adult disability law in England. The module will examine the legal framework that governs state duties and individual rights and will focus on statute and common law.


An indicative list of what this module covers is as follows:


1. Origin of the Welfare State

2. Local Authority Social Services adult duties under Care Act 2014
3. NHS healthcare duties under NHS Act 2006

4. The ‘continuing healthcare’ dividing line between free healthcare and means-tested social care

5. Mental Health Act 1983 compulsory detention and community provision
6. Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

7. Legal Remedies

How will I learn on this module?

You will learn through lectures, seminars and independent learning. You will be supported by a module handbook which provides an outline of the learning activities throughout the module.


Directed learning will centre on twelve 1-hour lectures which will introduce the fundamental principles of disability law on which six 2-hour seminars will be based. The lectures and seminars will be supported by learning materials which will be made available via the module’s e-Learning (eLP) site and will include essential and recommended reading using an electronic reading list.


Independent learning will focus on you identifying further reading and research to provide a deeper and broader knowledge and understanding of disability law.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

The University supports you in learning and research with an excellent library and teaching facilities, access to on-line legal databases and resources and appropriate software.



This module is designed and will be managed by your Module Tutors who will be responsible for guiding you in your engagement and learning. Relevant materials and instructions will be accessible through the module eLP site, maintained by the Module Tutors.



Extensive use is made of the eLP to facilitate discussions between you and the Module Tutors, to provide materials, make announcements and to highlight recent developments and relevant research materials.



You may communicate with the Module Tutors and you are encouraged to make contact if you encounter any difficulties.



Academic support is available through formative feedback from tutors and on summative assignments.



At programme level you will be supported by the Programme Leader who will provide pastoral support throughout the module and the programme.



The Programme Administration and Student Liaison teams are responsible for the non-academic administration of the module. They will contact you throughout the duration of your module with details about the assignment and other issues.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:



At the end of the module you will have:
Developed knowledge and a critical understanding of adult disability law in England, including an appreciation of how the European Convention on Human Rights has impacted the domestic legal position. You will develop a critical awareness of current disability law issues in both social and healthcare contexts.


Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:



At the end of the module you will have:

Developed an ability to conduct rigorous and independent legal research in the area of adult disability law, selecting and applying the relevant material to identify issues, construct rational arguments and present accurate legal information clearly, coherently and substantiated by legal authority.



Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):



At the end of the module you will have:

Gained a critical awareness of adult disability provision in English law and reflected on how those legal duties and rights align with your own personal and professional values.

How will I be assessed?

Formative Assessment

Students will be given regular feedback throughout the module in seminars. Formative assessment will be achieved via group discussion, informal peer assessment and tutor-led feedback.

Summative Assessment

Students will be assessed by means of a 2,500-word piece of written coursework critically evaluating adult disability law issues. This will constitute 100% of the marks for this module. The assignment aims to encourage a deep and critical approach to learning, developing an ability to think widely about the issues presented within the module and to explore these in line with directed and independent learning. Students will be provided with written or oral feedback (as appropriate), and, as part of reflective development, such feedback can be utilized in the preparation of subsequent module assessments on the programme.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

The Disability Law module focusses on adult disability law in England. The module will examine adult social services duties under the Care Act 2014, NHS healthcare duties under the NHS Act 2006, mental disorder and compulsory detention under the Mental Health Act 1983 and mental incapacity as well as the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. You will critically engage with guided and independent reading as part of your research-rich learning, drawing from Northumbria’s extensive on-line databases and library facilities. You will be assessed by way of a 2,500-word assignment which will consolidate your knowledge and understanding of adult disability law and develop your skills of critical analysis and independent research.

Course info

UCAS Code M102

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Northumbria Law School

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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