Developing reflective practice: Making sense of social work in a world of change

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.

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