Links between reflective practice, ethics and values

This chapter ‘problematises’ the nature of professional knowledge and ‘know how ’in social work. The complex, multilayered knowledge held by practitioners is presented and explored. Practice knowledge is conceptualised as incorporating elements of both formal and informal knowledge. Links are made to the literature on reflective practice and the relationship between ‘internalist’ ways of knowing and more ‘externalist’ ways of justifying our actions, for example, by drawing upon evidence based research. This chapter explores the nature of this tension currently in social work and suggests a more holistic, nuanced understanding of the nature of practice knowledge is required. Such understandings are of particular relevance in the field of applied ethics and values as professional judgements in this arena are often particularly complex. Considered action may require the balancing and prioritising of different conflicting interests and rights.

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