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Social Work BA Welcome Pack

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Welcome to Social Work BA (Hons) – September 2026.

​​Welcome, and congratulations on choosing a course that truly matters. Social work is one of the most rewarding and impactful professions you can enter, and we are so glad you are here to begin that journey with us.

​Over the coming years, you will develop the knowledge, skills, and values needed to make a real difference in people’s lives. This course blends academic learning with hands-on practice — you will engage with theory in the classroom, challenge your thinking through reflective assessment, and build your professional identity through placements in practice settings. We take a values-led approach to everything we do, and you will find that themes of social justice, human rights, and anti-oppressive practice run through the heart of your studies.

​One of the things that makes studying Social Work here so distinctive is the connections you will make from day one. In your very first week, you will have the opportunity to meet service users — people with lived experience who will enrich your learning throughout your time with us. You will also be introduced to key members of our support network, including staff from the University’s Learning and Development team, our Academic Librarian, and get familiar with the wider student supporting services available to you — all there to help you thrive both academically and personally.

​On Friday 25 September, you will meet your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) — a dedicated member of staff who will be a consistent point of support and guidance throughout your studies, so look out for that session in your timetable.

​We cannot wait to welcome you. Let’s get started.

Your Course Leader

Lesley McCole, Lecturer in Social Work

Lesley McCole

Senior Lecturer in Social Work

lesley.mccole@northampton.ac.uk

 

 

As your Course Leader, I am here to support you throughout your studies. Whether you have questions about the structure of your programme, concerns about your academic progress, or simply want to talk through how you are settling in, please do not hesitate to get in touch. I want to make sure you have the best possible experience here at the University of Northampton.

Additional staff
  • Michelle Walters, Professional Lead
  • Scott Parker, MA Course Lead
  • Jo Webb, Senior Lecturer
  • Dawn Clements, Lecturer
  • Abigail Curran, Lecturer, ​​

Preparing for your course

In preparation for your course starting in September, we hold an​ online session beforehand so you can meet your Academic Team and other students studying the same course. This will be held on Wednesday 16 September, 10 – 11am. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Lesley McCole on Lesley.mccole@northampton.ac.uk.

Wednesday 16 September

Session: BA Social Work Introduction Session

 

Monday 21 September

Session: Enrolment and Familiarisation

  • Location: Waterside Campus
Tuesday 22 September

Session: Introductions

  • Time: 10am – 4pm (BST)
  • Location: SN305, Third Floor, Senate, Waterside campus
Thursday 23 September

Session: TBC

  • Time: 10am – 2pm (BST)
  • Location: SN304, Third Floor, Senate, Waterside campus
Friday 24 September

Session: Meet your Personal Academic Tutors (PAT)

  • Time: 10am – 2pm (BST)
  • Location: TBC

Preparation and Pre-Arrival tasks

There are no mandatory pre-entry tasks before you begin your studies, so please do not feel any pressure to prepare extensively over the summer — a well-rested student is a ready student!

That said, if you would like to get a head start and familiarise yourself with some of the key themes you will explore on the course, you may find it useful to:

  • Keep up with the news — following current events both nationally and internationally will provide valuable context for your studies from day one, helping you to connect real-world issues to the themes you will explore on the course.
  • Explore the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) at basw.co.uk and Community Care at communitycare.co.uk — both offer a wealth of accessible resources on social work practice, policy, and current sector news.
  • Reflect on your motivations for choosing social work — thinking about your values and what has drawn you to the profession is something we will explore together early in the course.
  • Familiarise yourself with the Social Work England professional standards, available at socialworkengland.org.uk, which underpin everything you will learn and practice.

None of the above is compulsory, but engaging with even one or two of these suggestions will help you hit the ground running. Most importantly, enjoy the rest of your summer — we look forward to welcoming you in September!

Reading Lists

For Social Work Skills:

For Social Work Theory:

For Anti-Oppressive / Anti-Discriminatory / Anti-Racist Practice:

For Law / Social Justice: