Social Work, BA

We hope that this is the beginning of a long association with Canterbury Christ Church University, which will continue after you have completed this course, to support your developing career in the future. 

Please ensure that you engage with all Occupational Health, DBS and the declaration of suitability form required by the Admissions Team. Failure to complete this by the time you register on the course may result in you not being able to proceed with your studies.

We are proud to be an inclusive University that supports a diverse community of students. Please note that if you have a disability or would like to learn more about the support that we can offer to students, please visit the Disability and Mental Health website.

Pre-Course Task

1. What has led you to study social work? What are you bringing to this next phase of your life/career in terms of prior experiences, values, strengths, learning needs, hopes and concerns?
2. What do you think being a professional’ might mean for you? Can you think of a prominent person in social work you have heard about in your research and in your reading? Who is this person, what are they known for and what makes them prominent in social work or for you?

Welcome and Induction

Please ensure you view and engage with your Course Welcome Week.

Occupational Health  

Students need to obtain Occupational Health clearance to ensure they are fit to practice. You will be prompted via your ‘MyRecord’ to complete a clearance check and directed to an online health questionnaire. You are not required to attend an Occupational Health vaccination appointment as a Social Work student.   

For enquiries about your occupational health clearance please email cccustudents@ohworks.co.uk or phone 01227 286288.

We would encourage you to review the course structure and module options via your course page before you arrive.

You might find it useful to read the following resources before starting your course:

• You can read Community Care online for social work news.

• Look at The Guardian online for social care news.

• Find out more about guidance for students from Social Work England.

• Being familiar with Social Work England’s Professional Standards and BASW’s Professional Capabilities Framework for social work will support your learning.

Additional suggestions:

• Adams, R. (2010) The Short Guide to Social Work. Bristol: The Policy Press. 

• Baptiste, A. J. (2024), Looked After, A Childhood in Care. Hachette: Hodder and Stoughton

• Barrington, F. (2015) Known to Social Services. East Longmeadow: Faraxa Publishing. 

• Doel, M. (2023) Social Work: The Basics. 2nd edn. Oxon: Routledge. 

• Hilton, S. (2015) More Human: Designing a World Where People Come First. London: Penguin Random House. 

• Howe, D. and Hill, D. (2024) A brief introduction to social work theory. London: Bloomsbury 

• Jones, O. (2011) Chavs: The demonization of the Working Class. London: Verso. 

• Pierre, R. (2024), Free Loaves on Fridays: The Care System As Told By People Who Actually Get It. London: Unbound

• Pierson, J. (2010) Tackling Social Exclusion. 2nd edn. Abingdon: Routledge. 

• Reid, W. and Maclean (eds) (2021). Outlanders: Hidden Narratives from Social Workers of Colour. Newry: Kirwin Maclean Associates
• Sissay, L. (2019) My Name is Why, Edinburgh: Canongate Books 

We also recommend listening to Podcasts such as:

British Association of Social Workers (BASW), (2025), Let’s Talk Social Work

Fisher, T. and Devine, R. (2025), Relational Activism in Social Work