reflective practice
Assessing social work practice using the PCF
Integrated Critical analysis and reflective practice
Critical reflection and critically reflective practice are central to social work – indeed
‘Critical Reflection and Analysis’ is one of the nine domains of the PCF, with capability statements built into all levels. However, aspects of critical analysis and reflective practice are built into many domains within the PCF. For example, how does a student social worker learn about ‘professional and personal boundaries’ without the ability to reflect on their experiences from practice?
Some central principles within critical analysis and reflective practice that should be demonstrated are the ability to
- plan, conceiving a range of different hypotheses and scenarios (domain 5,6)
- identify and draw on different sources of knowledge, theory and research to assess and plan their work (domain 5)
- describe and analyse what took place, including impact on self and others ( domain 6,
- evaluate what took place, including critiquing own practice and considering alternative approaches that might have been used or that you might use in the future (domain 6, 7 )
- revise hypothesis in light of this action and reflection and plan next steps (domain 6,2)
- draw on evidence to use your professional judgement to influence decision making
(domain 5,6)
It thus entails insight, exploratory and creative thinking for each unique piece of practice. Over time, social work practitioners should become highly skilled in this so that it is also possible to
PCF21-Integrated Critical Reflective Practice September 2012
Case example:
Retha was finding the case really taxing. There was a lot of pressure to ‘do’ something because of concerns about what ‘might’ happen. She consulted her professional lead on safeguarding
(domain 1) and together they considered the legal frameworks that were available to support any intervention (domain 8). The key
question
Integrated Critical analysis and reflective practice
Critical reflection and critically reflective practice are central to social work – indeed
‘Critical Reflection and Analysis’ is one of the nine domains of the PCF, with capability statements built into all levels. However, aspects of critical analysis and reflective practice are built into many domains within the PCF. For example, how does a student social worker learn about ‘professional and personal boundaries’ without the ability to reflect on their experiences from practice?
Some central principles within critical analysis and reflective practice that should be demonstrated are the ability to
- plan, conceiving a range of different hypotheses and scenarios (domain 5,6)
- identify and draw on different sources of knowledge, theory and research to assess and plan their work (domain 5)
- describe and analyse what took place, including impact on self and others ( domain 6,
- evaluate what took place, including critiquing own practice and considering alternative approaches that might have been used or that you might use in the future (domain 6, 7 )
- revise hypothesis in light of this action and reflection and plan next steps (domain 6,2)
- draw on evidence to use your professional judgement to influence decision making
(domain 5,6)
It thus entails insight, exploratory and creative thinking for each unique piece of practice. Over time, social work practitioners should become highly skilled in this so that it is also possible to
PCF21-Integrated Critical Reflective Practice September 2012
Case example:
Retha was finding the case really taxing. There was a lot of pressure to ‘do’ something because of concerns about what ‘might’ happen. She consulted her professional lead on safeguarding
(domain 1) and together they considered the legal frameworks that were available to support any intervention (domain 8). The key
question