Social Policy
On this page you'll find key resources, as well as guides to help you develop your academic, study, and digital skills.
This subject guide is designed to assist Social Policy students in finding the best information, whether you’re a new student starting your first assignment or delving into a research project.
Popular pages on the Library website
Three key actions for getting started
Finding information for your assessments
Developing strong information searching skills saves time and yields relevant results.Finding Information Skills covers everything you need for academic searching. Take the Finding Information Skills assessment for a personalised action plan.
- Reading Lists
These are set up by your tutors to guide you to good quality, relevant and useful materials to help you with your studies. They are a great starting point before doing your own research - find out more about your Reading Lists.
- Library Search
Library Search can make your academic life easier by helping you find a range of reliable and trustworthy sources for your work. It contains a wealth of information to help you make the most of your studies, including books/eBooks, journals/eJournals, articles, databases, and more.
Using Library Search may feel daunting at first, but don't worry, we have a range of guides on how to find relevant resources.
Key resources for Social Policy students
Books and Journals
The first place to look for books and journals is your Reading List – you will find a link to this in your Blackboard modules. It lists all the core texts for your subject as recommended by your lecturers. All our other books and journals can be found in Library Search.
Databases
- Community Care Inform: Children: Contains expert-written, practice-related information, including: Guidance to key pieces of legislation Expert articles Practice guides It has been built with and for social workers and other professionals who work with children, young people and their families.
- Criminology Collection: This collection gives you access to information on crime, its causes and impacts, legal and social implications, as well as law enforcement and security services.
- Manchester Security, Conflict and Peace: Includes 61 books covering key issues and debates on international, regional and national security, domestic and international terrorism as well as conflict management and resolution and practices of peacebuilding.
- Newsstream Newspapers: You can access local, regional and national newspapers from around the world.
- Social Policy Digest: The Digest provides a regularly up-dated, fully searchable, summary of policy developments and research findings across the whole range of social policy.
- Social Sciences Databases: This provides access to key UK and worldwide articles and research, including the Criminal Justice Database.
LinkedIn Learning
You have access to thousands of professionally produced online courses via LinkedIn Learning covering a wide range of technical, creative and professional skills.
You will find lots of courses including developing communication skills, managing professional relationships, fine-tuning your digital skills or preparing for job interviews and so much more.
Access LinkedIn Learning to have a look and take some courses.
Study better
- University Assessments
Whilst studying at Salford you will need to complete a range of assessments. We provide a range of guidance on how to approach the different assessment types you may come across.
- Referencing
We provide eLearning, written guides, and an extensive list of referencing examples.
- Skills A-Z
We have developed eLearning over a wide range of subjects for you to develop your academic skills at home and in your own time.
Workshops
We offer online and face-to-face workshops to help you develop your academic skills. These engaging, interactive sessions cover a wide range of topics which take place throughout the year, so check up on the list regularly.
Click on a workshop title to book onto the session via Advantage. If a session has no remaining spaces, sign up to the waiting list in case a space becomes free!
One to one appointments
You can book a one to one appointment with your Academic Support Team to discuss finding information, academic and writing skills, or digital support.
Follow the link below, choose your school and what you'd like support with, then select your chosen time slot and book on through Advantage.
Can't find what you need?
Contact the Academic Support Team using this form. You can also see who's who in the Team.