Postgraduate Social Work Induction

Dear social work students-to- be

On behalf of the social work teaching team, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you in joining us on the MSc Social work programme.

We are busy preparing for your arrival and for the year ahead. We are committed to giving you an excellent experience with us and thinking creatively about the months ahead. Meanwhile we are working closely with our partner local authorities to plan ahead for your social work practice placements.

 Before your induction we would urge you to complete all of the necessary checks such as the health declaration, DBS and self -disclosure. Also its very important that you register as a social work student with Social Care Wales. These things will make your first few weeks go as smoothly as possible.

Finally, we’ve provided a reading list and we would recommend you dip into one or two of these sources over the summer to wet your appetite for learning and becoming a professional social worker.

Programme Director- Tracey Maegusuku-Hewett 

Hello and Welcome to the MSc Social Work Programme. Ahead of you commencing the course, we have provided below a range of sources that are recommended from each staff member on the programme. Please have a look through and dip into one or two. There is no need to read them all or to buy these resources, just choose ones that are of interest to you.

Beth Pearl, Senior Lecturer, recommends:

Familiarise yourself with the Codes of Professional Practice and guidance:

https://socialcare.wales/cms-assets/documents/Code-of-Professional-Practice-for-Social-Care-web-version.pdf

AND:   https://socialcare.wales/cms-assets/documents/The-social-worker-April-2017.pdf

Allison Hulmes- Senior Lecturer, recommends:

Hulmes, A. (2022). Foreword. In D. Henry, Gypsies, Roma & Travellers. A Contemporary Analysis (pp. 7-9) Critical Publishing

Allen. D., Dove, D., Hulmes, A., & Moloney-Neachtain, M. (2021) The Romani and Traveller perspective. In Tanya Moore and Glory Simango (Eds) The Anti-Racist Social Worker: stories of activism in social care and allied health professionals. St Albans: Critical Publishing, pp 61-75.

Tracey Maegusuku-Hewett, Senior Lecturer, recommends:

Any chapter of interest from the following resource:

Livingston, W., Redcliffe, J., Abyd Quinn, A. (Eds.) (2023). Social work in Wales. Bristol University Policy Press.

There is a companion website worth exploring: https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/social-work-in-wales/companion-website

Fiona Verity, Professor of Social Work, Recommends:

Llewellyn M, Verity F, Wallace S, Calder G, Garthwaite T, Lyttleton-Smith J, and Read S (2023). From Act to Impact? Final Report of the Evaluation of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. Cardiff. Welsh Government, GSR report number 36/2023. Available at: https://gov.wales/evaluation-social-services-and-well-being-wales-act-2014

Wahida Kent, Senior Lecturer, recommends:

Explore some of the topics on social care law in Wales here:

https://law.gov.wales/public-services/social-care

Angela, Rees, Coleg Gymraeg Cenedlaethol, recommends:

Welsh Government. (2015). Delivering the ‘Active Offer’ information pack –

social services and social care.

https://www.gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2019-04/delivering-the-active-offer-information-pack-social-services-and-social-care.pdf

Judith Davies, Senior Lecturer, recommends:

Tedam, P. (2021). Anti-oppressive social work practice. Learning Matters

Jo Pye, Senior Lecturer, recommends:

Explore various research studies and research activity on social work and social care in Wales: https://socialcare.wales/research-and-data

Christian Beech, Senior Lecturer, recommends:

Beech, C. and Verity, F. (2019), "Health and social work practitioners’ experiences of working with risk and older people: The interconnectedness of personalities, process and policy", Journal of Integrated Care, Vol. 28 No. 2, pp. 197-211. https://doi.org/10.1108/JICA-08-2019-0036

Vanessa Chambers, Senior Lecturer, recommends:

Humphries, M. (1995). Empty cradles. Corgi Books.

Principle teaching staff for the Social work programme include:

Programme Director- Dr Tracey Maegusuku-Hewett

Lecturers: 

Mrs Angela Rees

Mrs Beth Pearl

Professor Fiona Verity

Dr Jo Pye

Dr Jo Redcliffe

Mrs Judith Davies

Dr Tracey Maegusuku-Hewett

Vanessa Chambers

Allison Hulmes

Dr Paul Rees

Dr Wahida Kent

Throughout our degree programmes the School work to provide our students with opportunities in and around the School of Health & Social Care, the city with our industry partners and sign-post for international opportunities available to you. Our focus for you is ready you for the world of work. 

To find out about the opportinities you will have in your school, check out our student opportunities and employability webpage

As a student at Swansea University, you will have the opportunity to engage with industry, take on placement opportunities and complete work experience, so that you are fully equipped for the world of work when you leave us. This process is facilitated by the Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) which aims top provide careers advice and employment opportunities all under one roof.

Swansea Employability Academy is a central resource for all students and graduates of Swansea University, offering one-to-one careers advice, internships, bursaries, employer events, a digital jobs board and an online Career Development Course.

Visit their website to book an appointment with a career advisor, find relevant work experience, get funding for your career development, or to find the answer to your employability questions.

You can contact the Swansea Employability Academy Team here 

As an undergraduate student you will be given an Personal Tutor.  This is a member of teaching staff in the Faculty or School who acts as your key point of contact while you are at Swansea University.

You should meet with your Personal Tutorone-to-one at least once every Semester.  You may also be invited to group meetings or workshops with yourPersonal Tutor

Your Academic Mentor will guide and support you with your academic, professional and personal development.  They can help you with:

• Reviewing your academic progress
• Accessing academic and personal support e.g. with welfare issues
• Understanding the exam and assessment system
• Academic references for placements / job applications
• Answering any other questions you may have or recommend where to best seek advice

Mentors may also have ‘office hours’ when you can see them as well.  You can email your tutor if there is something you want to discuss and/or to arrange a meeting.

Click here for more information about Academic Mentoring 

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal academic mentor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

• Academic writing
• Maths and statistics
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Digital skills
• Presentation skills
• Note taking
• Revision, memory and exam techniques
• English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.