Nature of Social Work Reflective Practice Ruth Neil, University of the West of Scotland 1

AIMS What is reflective practice (and reflective thinking)? What we mean by the “Use of self” in social work. The “Impact on self”. Why do we need to reflect in social work?

What is Reflection? “ the action of the mind which is conscious of its own operations” “Attentive consideration” “Contemplation” “To consider meditatively (that, how, etc)” Chamber’s 20 th Century Dictionary

What is Reflective Practice? Looking back on what you have done Thinking about your actions and outcomes Thinking and acknowledging the actions, feelings and outcomes of others involved It helps you to evaluate your performance, the outcomes, the learning, and the things you may need to change or work on. It helps to give you space to determine a way forward and develop a plan, which recognises all of the things you have reflected on.

How reflective are you? Spend 5 mins with your partner speaking about this. – Is the idea of reflection new to you? – Is it something you take for granted? – Is it something you feel you are not good at? – How do you feel about ‘reflective practice’? – How do you feel about reflective writing?

‘Reflective practice begins from the premise that human problems cannot be solved by the simple application of technical solutions. People’s problems are far to complex and ‘messy’ to be resolved in this way.’ (Thompson,N., 2009, People Skills, 3 rd Ed)

Reflection involves identifying how you feel about something that has happened...

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‘The impact on self’ Exercise in pairs.. How did the pictures make you feel? How do you manage your feelings? How will you cope with difficult feelings on placement?

Why Reflect? (Lishman, 2002; Cree & Macauley, 2001; Payne, 2002) helps us be self-aware and consider our own needs. motivation for social work helps us manage complexity and uncertainty acknowledge our value base manage change. manage feelings, pain, stress etc assist personal learning and development assist in evaluation of practice. encourages greater accountability improves practice identify limitations, gaps and areas for improvement relies upon use of range of knowledge To aid transferability encourages experimentation with alternative approaches

Think-Feel-Do (Thompson, 2009) THINK FEEL D DO

Where do you see yourself? KOLB’S MODEL OF REFLECTIVE PRACTICE Kolb’s Four-phase cycle of Learning Feeling (Activist) Watching (Reflector) Thinking (theorist) Doing (Pragmatist)

Learning Theory Suggests a four phase Cycle of learning that are connected to the four modes of learning styles. Activists Feel Reflectors Observe Theorists Think Pragmatists Do Which one are you? How will this affect you on placement?

Reflective Writing Social Workers need to be able to think and write reflectively Can be broken down into stages: Description –What are you going to reflect on, the incident, the idea? Feelings. –What were your reactions & feelings? Evaluation. –What was good or bad about the experience? Analysis. –What sense do you make of it what was really going on what ideas from outside help you Conclusions. –What can be concluded in a general sense from this and what is specific to this situation. Personal Action Plan. –What are you going to do differently next time?

REID’S REFLECTIVE CYCLE What happened? (Description) What were you thinking and feeling? (Feelings) What was good and bad about the experience? (Evaluation) How can you make sense of what happened? (Analysis) What alternatives did you have? (Conclusions) What would you do if it happened again? (Action Plan) (Reid, 1994) Think of an example from work, home etc...and work through the cycle (it doesn’t need to be anything dramatic)

Reflection-In-Action and On-Action Reflection-in-action- –thinking on our feet, as we do it.. –It relies upon a developed knowledge base –developed skills –analytical skills –professional confidence and judgement Reflection-on-action-reflecting upon our practice after the events –Relies upon appreciating connections between thoughts & actions –Practice Wisdom - highly developed intuition demonstrated through practice and analysis of experience Therefore, Social Work consists of Common sense, Reflective Practice and Technical rationality.

Short film ?t=socialwork ?t=socialwork Whilst watching the film, think about: managing uncertainty and risk emotional impact of the work

Reflective Practice involves... Drawing and selecting our professional knowledge (formal & informal).. Integrating theory & practice.. Thinking on our feet – imaginatively and creatively.. Learning from experience & reflecting on them.. Being open to new ideas & approaches.. Learning as a lifelong activity.. Schon 1991

Where Does Self- Awareness fit in? It’s the foundation of professional practice The Origins of Self. (values & conditioning) The Current Self. (Personal development) The Thinking and Feeling Self. The Helping Self. Self-View of Others. Others View of Self. Self as a Social Worker. Self in Relation to Power and Authority.

Each individual social worker needs to establish... how we are seen by others and how we come across to others As this impacts on the helping relationship creating barriers to the work Self- Awareness leads to reflective skills & abilities A lack of self-awareness can be damaging & disempowering when working with vulnerable individuals and leads to a lack of reflective skills and abilities which constitutes dangerous practice

So Why Reflect? To avoid routinised practice, as this can: –standardise users and approaches –produce incomplete information on which to act –produce stereotypes (Thompson, 2000) Think of examples of this.

Reflection avoids.. Defensive Practice Defeatist Practice Dangerous Practice Defensive, Defeatist and Dangerous Practice will.. –Limit engagement with service users and other professionals. –Put undue emphasis upon risk and unprepared to take risks. –Mean you have incomplete information upon which to act. –Create no learning and limit your own development.

Defeatist and Dangerous Practice.. To avoid Defeatist practice accept limitations on our practice. change may be small or take time. sometimes we succeed by merely keeping things stable. celebrate our successes. talk about failures and seek support. be realistic and do your best. To avoid Dangerous /chaotic practice manage time and workload. set priorities. keep people informed. be realistic about achievements. To avoid Oppressive practice recognise discrimination and how we/agency contribute to it. avoid stereotyping. use appropriate language. appropriate use of power. (Thompson, 2000)

Exercise on Reflective Practice Think of a helping situation in your life or work. What did you do and what was your role? In helping the person/s, what did you do that was helpful? What could you have done better? What might you learn from the situation that can help you in the future? (Thompson, 2000)

Remember.. Impact on self – acknowledge your feelings Use of self – not just about theory and knowledge Written reflection (diary, log) Supervision, peer support Exercises to prompt reflection Reflection may not be or feel natural to everyone

References Cree, V. & McCauley (2001) Transfer of Learning. Handbook for Social Work Trainers, East Sussex, Psychology Press Lishman, J (2002) Personal and Professional Development in Adams, R., Dominelli, M. & Payne, M (2002) Social Work: Themes, Issues and Critical Debates, 2 nd Ed, Basingstoke, Palgrave MacMillan Thompson,N., (2009) People Skills, (3 rd Ed), Basingstoke, Palgrave MacMillan Thompson, N., (2000) Understanding Social Work. Preparing for Practice, Basingstoke, Palgrave MacMillan