Critical Reflection in Social Work Practice

This assignment focuses on critical reflection as a vital practice in social work, emphasizing its role in analyzing experiences to identify strengths and weaknesses. It highlights the need for social work practices to be analyzed against various components, determining their interdependencies and overlapping elements related to skills and knowledge.

MODULE
LEARNING
OUTCOMES

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PART 1............................................................................................................................................1
Understanding of 9 Domains of Professional Capabilities Framework.................................1
Roles and Responsibilities of a Social Worker in Training...................................................2
Capacity to Articulate Values of Social Work.......................................................................3
Understanding of Relationship between Social Work Theories and Disciplines of Social Work
................................................................................................................................................4
PART 2............................................................................................................................................5
Aspects of Social Work Practice where Skills and Knowledge Overlap and its Dependencies.5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Critical Reflection refers to the procedure an individual undertakes, wherein appropriate
and essential reasoning is given in context of deriving effective meaning of the experience.
Furthermore, it is an analytical tool, which adopts analytical and critical approach to explore a
particular factor or situation (Maharaj, 2016). The report below is based on critical reflection and
is divided in two parts, wherein, the first part covers understanding the 9 domains of professional
capabilities framework and knowledge and skills required for readiness for direct practice.
Furthermore, the report includes critical reflection of roles and responsibilities of social worker,
capacity to articulate values of social work and relationship between social work theories and
discipline relevant to social work. In relation with the second part, it covers identification of
aspects within social work practice where skills and knowledge overlap, along with discussion of
dependencies of social work practice on certain key components.
PART 1
Understanding of 9 Domains of Professional Capabilities Framework
Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) is an effective document, which
appropriately guides an individual in context with social work education as well as professional
development within the UK. It is one of the most essential component, which serves effectively
as a consultation to people willing to undertake social working.
Domains:
There are several domains in this framework which are critically reflected below: Professionalism: It requires an individual to behave equally in context of social working
practices(Burr and et. al., 2016). Value and Ethics: This refers to application of ethical principles and values within one's
professional practice. Diversity and Equality: It is associated with recognition of diversity and application of
anti-oppressive practices. Rights, Justice and Economic Well-being: It is in relation with promotion of social
justice, human rights as well as economic well-being of individuals. Knowledge: This domain features development and application of relevant and essential
knowledge from social work practice to provide appropriate social service to people.
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 Critical Reflection and Analysis: It is quite necessary for social workers to apply critical
reflection as well as analytical practices to ensure professional decision-making. Intervention and Skills: This requires the use of judgements, authority as well as
knowledge possessed by a social worker to effectively, intervene with families as well as
communities in promotion of independence, prevention of harm, support, etc. (Tretheway
and et. al., 2016). Contexts and Organisations: It refers to engaging with, as well as informing and adapting
with any change in organisational context in shaping up their practice accordingly.
 Professional Leadership: This deals with promotion of professional and appropriate
social work practice, which requires to take responsibility for personal learning and
development of other individuals.
While I am quite effective in relation to carrying out my duties in utmost effectiveness,
which appropriately reflects my understanding in terms of domains like professionalism,
professional leadership, intervention and skills and knowledge, I somewhat fail in analysing my
performance and staying committed to professional development of mine as well as others,
which requires me to gain a better understanding in terms of Critical Reflection and Analysis,
Diversity and Equality, Rights, Justice and Economic Well-being and Value and Ethics.
Knowledge and Skills Statement required for Readiness in Practice:
This statement reflects the generic capabilities and knowledge, which is essential to be
built in relation to social work. In terms of readiness of practice, it relates with knowledge within
social worker, about their own roles and responsibilities in specific settings of practice, along
with consideration of different levels of seniority. Furthermore, this aspect must be aligned with
several practice domains specified above, which would guide social workers in development of
necessary professionalism to carry out their duties appropriately (Sims, Hewitt and Harris, 2015)
.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Social Worker in Training
For a social worker, there are several roles and responsibilities which are required to be
adhered by them when they are in training, along with several standards that is expected to be
met by them. Some of these roles and responsibilities are mentioned below:
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 Effective Participation: A social worker in training must play an active role in the overall
process. Their participation is essential in context with ensuring enhancement in their
skills, which satisfies the professional standards they are required to achieve. Complying with Legislative Requirements: Another appropriate responsibility of a social
worker in training is that they are required to comply with the laws and regulations of the
government, along with that of their centres. The standard through this responsibility
which they are expected to meet is adherence to legal frameworks, which enhances their
inclination towards an ethical practice.
 Responsibility Towards own Learning: It is a prominent role of a trainee in social work,
to be responsible towards their own learning and development. An appropriate standard
within social working is to be consistent in providing advanced and enhanced services,
which would be satisfied through working towards one's own personal development
(Thomas, 2016).
In my understanding, I am quite effective in terms of adhering to legislative
requirements, which would contribute in my achievement of standards related to ethical practice.
However, I am yet to ensure effectiveness in context with participating completely in training
and development programmes, as well as taking responsibility of my learning, which could be
very much disadvantageous for me in future.
Capacity to Articulate Values of Social Work
In my understanding, social work is an effective area of practice, which has several
norms, beliefs and values, along with an ethical framework to deliver professional and essential
practice. There are certain appropriate values, with effective ethical basis that are discussed
below: Service: One of the most effective values within social work is providing transparent, as
well as effective service to individuals, families, along with communities. It is hence,
necessary for social workers to elevate needs of the service users above their personal
interests and apply knowledge and skills to deliver their services. I appropriately
articulate this value while providing extensive and essential services to individuals
(Milne and Adams, 2015). Social Justice: Another appropriate and effective aspect related to social work is social
justice, where it is the responsibility of social workers to advocate on the behalf of
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individuals who are oppressed, or unable to advocate for themselves. However, I am not
quite effective in understanding the ethical basis of this value. Reason for the same is that
I focus on effectively providing information and help to people who are poor or
homeless, however, I fail to judge on grounds of discrimination.
 Integrity: This value is related to facilitation of service, with enhanced trustworthiness
and transparency. I am quite effective when it comes to being aware of the ethical
principles associated with the profession, however, there are several areas, such as
transparency, where I fail to comply with values and understanding the ethical basis of
the same.
Furthermore, there are several several dilemmas which are faced by me in relation to the
professional practice. These are discussed below: Involuntary Commitment: There are several service users, which might intend to harm
themselves or impose the same to others. This is one of the most potential barriers,
wherein, it gets difficult to adhere to the values like service, as personal judgements could
overlap the ethical basis of the practice (Karvinen-Niinikoski, 2016).
 Minor Clients: Another barrier in professional practice is dealing with minor clients,
where the barrier could be related to breaches in confidentiality, that affects the value of
integrity.
Understanding of Relationship between Social Work Theories and Disciplines of Social Work
There are several theories associated with social work, which are directly or indirectly
linked with disciplines associated with the same, such as Psychology, sociology and current
practices. Some of these theories are discussed below:
 Psychosocial Theory:
This theory was developed by Eric Erikson in 1959, it reflects the notion that individuals
are respondent towards the social environment. Furthermore, social crisis shapes a person's life,
as per the analysis of the theorist (5 Social Work Theories That Inform Practice, 2019). He
informed several social crisis like trust versus mistrust, industry versus inferiority, intimacy
versus isolation. These aspects have a direct relationship with psychology and sociology, due to
inclusion of society in context with the mindset of individual. However, I find it quite complex to
relate this theory to my practice. This is because, it is challenging or me to assess the crisis,
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particularly trust vs. mistrust, which affects my practice in terms of perceiving how the people
trusts.
 Systems Theory:
This theory is related to how behaviour of an individual is influenced by several factors
present within a system, which includes parents, peers, friends, society, external environment,
etc. This theory is in direct relationship with psychology, which means that improvement in
ineffective aspects of environment could ensure betterment in condition of a person. Moreover,
in context with professional practice, it is highly necessary for a social worker to observe and
analyse systems which contribute towards behaviour as well as welfare of individuals. I am very
much effective in analysing the internal and external environment of a person, and providing
them services in ways which ensure improvisation within the same.
PART 2
Aspects of Social Work Practice where Skills and Knowledge Overlap and its Dependencies
Within the social working practice mentioned above, there are several aspects where
skills and knowledge overlap and are quite necessary to be understood in context with delivering
effective service (Shardlow and et. al., 2015). Social work practice has always been a quite
effective and essential aspect for me, which relates with the fact, that I enjoy providing effective
services to the needy. Moreover I feel that social work is a very appropriate and necessary
aspect, which must be followed to accomplish the needs of the under-represented parts of the
society. In addition, the whole practice is dependant on these several aspects, which are
discussed as under, along with necessary justification of how these factors overlap skills and
knowledge.
The first component is communication, which refers to sharing of information within the
organisation as well as with the clients. Practices within social work requires amalgamation of
several individuals, their combined efforts, mindsets, etc., and thus, it is quite necessary to
establish essential communication, along with development of communication between the
social worker as well as client. Social work practices are quite interdependent on communication
as it allows to build a healthy and transparent relationship between the client as well as the
worker. Furthermore, in times of critical decisions, it is necessary that communication between
social workers and care network is well established to take critical decisions within lesser time.
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Teamwork is one of the most essential aspect, which sees an active role of communication. This
relates to the fact, that members of the organisation are required to ensure consistent
communication amongst them, as well as, with the care network. However, working in a team
was very much effective for me as I got to learn different competent ways in which a specific
task could be accomplished. Furthermore, I realised that collective working appropriately
enhances the scope of improvement within services, due to presence of creative and more
effective mindsets.
It overlaps the skills and knowledge mentioned previously, due to the fact that principles
of effective communication are quite essential and effective in relation to enhancing transparency
as well as ethical considerations in terms of delivering effective practice. Moreover, another
reason for its overlapping is related to the aspect associated with inducing the level of trust,
which overlaps the knowledge related to several theories of social work (Redmond, 2017) .:
Another aspect on which the social work is dependant upon is reflective practice
assessment. As reflected above, it is a vital standard within social work practice, wherein, it is
required by a worker to appropriately take responsibility of their own learning, alongside
enhancing one's own skills and competence. Furthermore, in order to ensure continuous
improvement, it becomes necessary to assess reflective practice, as it allows to effectively
enhance the scope of improvement, through a detailed evaluation of negative and positive
attributes within a task. This allows an anticipation of several personal and professional needs
within an individual, which is important to be considered in terms of consistent performance.
Furthermore, there are several aspects which reflects how this aspect overlaps the skills
and knowledge. For instance, it's appropriate and effective in relation to analysing inclination
towards ethical practice, which could appropriately helps in driving the principles and effective
practice forward. Furthermore, assessment of reflective practice also undertakes changes in
appropriate and ethical frame of mind within social workers, which aligns and supports social
work practices (Fook, 2015).
Empowerment is another effective component within social work, which refers to
appropriately and effectively assisting individuals in context with reminding them that they
possess a certain level of power within the world, which includes taking their own decisions and
being their own advocates in terms of needs and treatments. Social work is dependant on the
same as with empowerment, the client is driven towards taking responsibility of their social and
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cognitive state. Furthermore, in relation with empowerment, clients feel more independent and
secure, which enhances the scope of treatment and improvisation in their solution. I was most
comfortable in relation to this part, as I was willing as well as able to enhance empowerment
within people around me, as well as my patients. This allowed inducing a sense of achievement
and independence, which, according to me, is essential within social work.
In relation to overlapping, this component overlaps skills and knowledge, through
ensuring consideration of decision making aspects, wherein, the social worker ensures
empowerment within patients, which appropriately overlaps their ability of taking critical
decisions and drives the treatment appropriately forward.
Solution focus is another component, which is related to outcome based delivery of
social work practice. This factor is appropriately linked towards ensuring that the end solution or
outcome, must be kept in mind in relation to driving the whole treatment forward. This keeps the
workers more effective and considerate towards ensuring appropriate standards of practice to
treat individuals needing of social assistance. There are several appropriate reasoning, which
could be given in context of how social work practices are dependant on solution focused
delivery. The first aspect is related to the fact, that inclination towards solution focused services,
social workers could be more emphasised on elements within internal and external environment,
which appropriately ensures improvisation in the social and cognitive conditions of the client.
Furthermore, being solution oriented also ensures that the social worker is quite determinant
upon enhancing their personal skills and competencies, which suits the situation and helps them
in delivering the best possible service (Fook, 2017).
This factor also overlaps skills and competencies, as being solution focused would lead
social worker in practising in a way which contributes in development of several skills and
attributes, which are associated with accelerating the treatment towards solution.
Cognitive Therapy Behaviour encompasses several psychotherapeutic approaches, which
are rooted within the fundamental principle, considered by an individual and which is prime
determinant towards their behavioural and emotional responses towards life situations. In
addition to this, it is also associated with how cognitive environment and responses of an
individual is driven in context with the external environment and stimulus. The social work
practice is effectively dependant on this component, as it includes a social worker to consider the
emotional, social and psychological perspectives and determinants of an individual. Furthermore,
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another aspect is associated with enhancing the scope of improvement within the same, due to
effective consideration of triggers, which were responsible for current cognitive responses of a
person.
In this context, the skills and knowledge overlap, when it comes to appropriately and
effectively ensuring amalgamation of psychological and social consideration, which is a prime
requirement of a social worker. They are required to gain specific knowledge, analysis, along
with certain training, which contributes in delivering an effective practice (Baldwin, 2016).
Relationship Based Practice within social work is highly important and an important
component within the same. Relationships amongst care network are very important within
social work practice. Reason for the same is that there is an extensive requirement of a collective
care to be given to clients. Furthermore, this practice is related with ensuring development and
maintenance of a care network, which is a highly important aspect in social work. Its
dependencies on relationship based practice is reflected by the aspect that with essential
relationships developed by the social worker with other professionals and peers of clients within
the care network, they could get assistance, support and guidance of how best the treatment
could be given to individuals. Furthermore, it also contributes in making a healthy environment
around the individual requiring attention, which enhances the scope of improvement in their
conditions.
It overlaps the skills and knowledge related to interpersonal attributes, analytical aspects
and teamwork, as it requires a social worker to be in complete touch with other members of the
care network and formulate positive relationship to accomplish the purpose of delivering
effective care (Baldwin, 2016).
The above part has been quite contributing towards my skills and enhancement of my
knowledge base. Reason for the same is that, I realised several components within social work
and how it could overlap my skills and knowledge. Thus, analysing and adopting these aspects
led me to understand different variables within social work and how best the same could be
applied to enhance the delivery of services. Moreover, knowledge about distinct aspects enabled
me in becoming more competent and professional in this aspect.
CONCLUSION
Thus, it is concluded by the report, that critical reflection is an essential practice, which
requires an individual to analyse several experiences, which are appropriate in finding out the
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strengths and weaknesses within the same. Lastly, aspects of social work practices are required
to be analysed against certain components, which determines their interdependencies and
overlapping elements related to several skills and knowledge.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Baldwin, M., 2016. Critical reflection: Opportunities and threats to professional learning and
service development in social work organizations. In Social work, critical reflection and
the learning organization (pp. 51-66). Routledge.
Baldwin, M., 2016. Social work, critical reflection and the learning organization. Routledge.
Burr, V. and et. al., 2016. Encouraging self-reflection in social work students: Using personal
construct methods. British Journal of Social Work. 46(7). pp.1997-2015.
Fook, J., 2015. Reflective practice and critical reflection. Handbook for practice learning in
social work and social care, pp.440-454.
Fook, J., 2017. Critical reflection and transformative possibilities. In Social work in a corporate
era (pp. 16-30). Routledge.
Karvinen-Niinikoski, S., 2016. Social work supervision: Contributing to innovative knowledge
production and open expertise. In Social work, critical reflection and the learning
organization (pp. 33-50). Routledge.
Maharaj, N., 2016. Using field notes to facilitate critical reflection. Reflective Practice. 17(2).
pp.114-124.
Milne, A. and Adams, A., 2015. Enhancing critical reflection amongst social work students: The
contribution of an experiential learning group in care homes for older people. Social
Work Education. 34(1). pp.74-90.
Redmond, B., 2017. Reflection in action: Developing reflective practice in health and social
services. Routledge.
Shardlow, S. and et. al., 2015. Handbook for practice learning in social work and social care:
Knowledge and theory. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Sims, S., Hewitt, G. and Harris, R., 2015. Evidence of a shared purpose, critical reflection,
innovation and leadership in interprofessional healthcare teams: a realist
synthesis. Journal of Interprofessional Care. 29(3). pp.209-215.
Thomas, J., 2016. Using ‘critical incident analysis’ to promote critical reflection and holistic
assessment. In Social work, critical reflection and the learning organization (pp. 111-
126). Routledge.
Tretheway, R. and et. al., 2016. A missing ethical competency? A review of critical reflection in
health promotion. Health Promotion Journal of Australia. 26(3). pp.216-221.
Online
5 Social Work Theories That Inform Practice. 2019. [Online] Available Through:
<https://online.campbellsville.edu/social-work/social-work-theories/>
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