research in practice

This topic is one that has been a persistent concern in inquiries into child deaths and Serious Case Reviews. This Change Project explores the issues around the analysis of often very complex data found in social work assessments, and looks at how critical thinking and reflective practice can be promoted more effectively.

Who it’s for

Managers responsible for improving practice around assessments in their agency, staff who are responsible for strategy and policy developments around assessments, staff who have been involved in innovative practice in improving the quality of assessments in their agency, social workers with a commitment to broadening their critical thinking skills.

Pilot resources

The pilot materials consist of seven resources that can be downloaded below:

1. The core publication contains key research and practice messages around analysis and critical thinking in assessment that form the basis of this package of materials.

Please let us know your thoughts on this resource here

2. The literature review was published in 2009 to help define the scope of the project. It draws together ideas from current literature about assessment and the kind of thinking that is needed to support this dimension of practice.

3. The briefing for practitioners contains a summary of the key messages and practice recommendations about improving analysis within the assessment process.

Please let us know your thoughts on this resource here

4. The briefing for supervisors contains a summary of the key messages and practice recommendations about how to provide effective, reflective supervision to improve critical thinking within your team and service.

Please let us know your thoughts on this resource here

5. The briefing for strategic leads contains a summary of the key messages and practice recommendations about improving analytical systems and processes at a strategic level.

Please let us know your thoughts on this resource here

6. The exercises are designed for individuals and teams to support analysis and critical thinking in assessment.

7. The training materials contain resources for delivering a workshop around this topic, including a programme, facilitator notes and presentation.

 

Piloting the resources

We are running two parallel pilots: a formal pilot group that will meet three times between March and July 2011 and a virtual group that offers a more flexible approach to piloting.

The call for applications to the formal pilot group has now closed, but please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you would like to be involved in the virtual group.

Who this pilot is for

This pilot is aimed at team managers, but we are also hoping to attract a wider range of professionals, including those working in multi-agency teams, staff responsible for assessment training, and strategic leads who may be interested in developing a wider culture of learning that can promote good assessment practice.

Key dates

The three pilot group meetings will be held on 24 March 2011, 18 May 2011 and 13 July 2011.

This project is led by:

Liz Brown, Independent Consultant, ryantunnardbrown
Sarah Moore, Acting Team Leader, research in practice
Danielle Turney, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, Bristol University

Further info

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it