Neil Thompson

Avenue Consulting Ltd

Donald Schön: reflective conversation with the situation

Critique of ‘technical rationality’ – integration of theory and practice: drawing on a professional knowledge base

A ‘mindful’ approach, not based on habit, routine, guesswork or copying others

Anti-discriminatory practice / anti-oppressive practice / emancipatory practice / progressive practice

Not taking existing social arrangements for granted

A commitment to equality, diversity and social justice

Practice can be reflective without being critical

... or critical without being reflective (i.e. dogmatic and reductionist)

Critically reflective practice involves bothCritical depth and breadth

It simply involves stopping and thinking from time to time

It is limited to situations that involve a programme of education or training

‘I am too busy for that sort of thing’‘It’s a nice idea but it’s not possible where I

work’It isn’t necessary because of ... the law /

evidence-based practice / managerialismIt’s just a fad

Explore the context: complex interpersonal, family and social dynamics require a sophisticated approach (soup and bowl vs. coffee and cream)

Explore the rationale: what is my role? Why am I involved?

Explore assumptions: your own and other people’s (macro – ideologies and discourses – and micro habitus and context)

Explore the pitfalls: how could this situation go wrong?

Explore avenues: think creatively about ways forward