Policy Press

Developing reflective practice

Making sense of social work in a world of change

Edited by Helen Martyn

Published

Jun 28, 2000

Page count

248 pages

ISBN

978-1861342386

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press
Developing reflective practice

Developing reflective practice is an invaluable resource, employing a unique 'bottom-up' approach to learning. Vivid examples of social work practice with children and families are presented, providing real life illustrations of the dilemmas and challenges facing practitioners.

Educators and practitioners provide analytic commentaries on course work submitted by social workers studying on a post-qualifying programme, indicating what went well, what didn't go well, and where improvements might have been made.

Implications for policy and practice from the perspective of the middle manager are provided, along with a list of learning points.

Developing reflective practice is essential reading for students (on how to realise practice in a course work context), teachers (on how to assess course work and enhance practice performance), practitioners (on how to approach specific pieces of work) and managers/supervisors (on how to promote best practice), providing standards for both training and practice rooted in the reality of the workplace.

"... an important contribution to our understanding of reflective practice in work with children and families." British Journal of Social Work

"This book achieves its aim of commencing from the practice of the workplace, linking practice to theory, and critically examining this. It provides a wealth of material for social workers, policy makers and managers, who need to ground their work and judgements within theory and accredited and proven practice, and who need to shape services to match need." Alison Williams, Reviewing Officer for Looked After Children, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Helen Martyn was formerly Lecturer in Social Work, Goldsmith College, University of London.

Introduction ~ Helen Martyn.

Part One: Direct work with children and young people: Introduction ~ Helen Martyn; Case studies: James: moving on to independent living ~ Patrick Lonergan; Eve: from victim to healthy survivor? ~ Mary Cody; Amos and Christopher: working towards care proceedings ~ Michael O'Dempsey; Carol: moving to a permanent placement ~ Stephen Kitchman; Sarah: understanding and containing damage and disturbance? ~ Veronique Faure; Commentary from an academic perspective ~ Kate Wilson; Commentary from a practitioner perspective ~ Rosemary Gordon; Learning points ~ Rosemary Gordon.

Part Two: Direct work with families: Introduction ~ Helen Martyn; Case studies: The Phillips family: an adoption assessment ~ Mary Cody; The Drays: breaking the pattern of reactive behaviour ~ Stephen Kitchman; The Reids: putting boundaries in place ~ Michael Atkinson; The Green family: work with a lone parent and her children ~ Patrick Lonergan; Carol, Anna and Khadia: work with a three generation black family ~ Veronique Faure; Commentary from an academic perspective ~ Jane Dutton; Commentary from a practitioner perspective ~ Sigurd Reimers; Learning points ~ Helen Martyn.

Part Three: Implications for policy and practice: A management perspective ~ Patrick Kidner.