The accelerating pace of change in our society requires organisations to efficiently manage day-to-day operations while simultaneously innovating and developing new concepts for the future, all within an environment of rapidly evolving circumstances. Specifically, organisations must quickly be able to handle the work practices that are critical to organisational development, and this thesis focuses on the handling of these practices. Critical work practices (CWPs) are here defined as operational management practices that are quickly initiated or adjusted – either scaled up or down – in response to new developmental needs or emerging acute situations. Commonly, there are limitations to CWPs ingrained in previous structures, methods, or knowledge. The thesis aims to explore the handling of CWPs in rapidly changing contexts and how this handling is enabled or constrained by the influencing organisational factors of 'active ownership', 'stakeholder collaboration', and 'developmental learning'. The empirical foundation of the thesis builds on an interactive research approach. It utilises data from case studies in two rapid change contexts: an industrial startup in the green transformation and organisations’ response during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results from the studies show that organisations demonstrated agility by mobilising resources and fostering collaboration in novel ways, guided by overarching objectives that transcended local concerns. Identified CWPs were characterised by their innovative nature and various degrees of newness and time constraints, which necessitated new approaches and provided opportunities for adaptive and developmental learning. Three conclusions can be drawn from the analysis in the thesis: first, disruptive changes trigger entrepreneurship and innovations through enhanced space of action and seamless cross-collaborations. Second, the interaction between intermediaries, managers, and employees fosters a holistic understanding and proactivity. Third, rapid change contexts stress-test organisations, where strengths, constraints, and new opportunities become visualised. Theoretically, the thesis contributes with a conceptual model highlighting essential factors of organisational conditions and their interconnections. An additional contribution is made in introducing the concept of CWPs and identifying prerequisites for handling different forms of such practices in rapid change contexts. The practical implications of this research include that different types of CWPs are a source that can be utilised for continuous improvements, supporting organisations’ ability to handle increasing uncertainties. Moreover, the conceptual model provides analytical support of work practices that intend to contribute to transitions related to development areas such as a circular economy, electrification, digitalisation, and resilience.

Implementing Evidence-Informed Practice: International Perspectives comprises sixteen original articles about developing strategies to integrate knowledge into policy and practice in order to: determine if interventions will have the desired effect, ensure that public money is spent efficiently, and increase the likelihood that practitioners are intervening in the lives of others on the basis of the best available evidence. Treatment outcomes, knowledge sharing, outcome evaluation methodology, early intervention, prevention, the development and sustaining of implementation teams, and the creation of instruments to measure implementation capacities across local, regional, and state/provincial levels are all addressed.

This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of social work supervision internationally and presents an analytical review of social work supervision theory, practice, and research. Presented in seven parts: International perspectives Supervision settings Roles, responsibilities, and relationships Models and approaches The interactional process Leading and managing supervision Emerging areas The book examines how supervision contributes to the well-being, development, and practice of social workers. It also sets the agenda for the future development of social work supervision internationally. Social work supervision is examined across countries, practice settings, and in terms of participants' roles, relationships, and responsibilities. Contributors show how and why social work supervision is integral to social work and the rich diversity of ways supervision can be practiced. Bringing together an international team of social work supervision scholars, researchers, supervisors, and practitioners, this handbook is essential reading for social workers, supervisors, managers, policy advisors, and professional leaders.

The Reflective Practice Guide offers an accessible introduction to engaging effectively in critical reflection, supporting all students in their development of the knowledge and skills needed to enhance their professional practice. This second edition has been thoroughly updated with new chapters emphasising the importance of personal growth, processing emotions, building resilience, and issues of diversity, intersectionality and positionality. Throughout the book Barbara Bassot illustrates the process of critical reflection using examples and case studies drawn from a range of professional contexts, offering an interdisciplinary model of practice that may be applied to many settings. Drawing on literature from a range of disciplines, chapters explore the key aspects of reflection, including: Developing self-awareness The role of writing in reflection Reflecting with others The importance of emotions and processing feelings Managing change Learning from experiences Self-care and avoiding burnout The book is extended and enhanced through Instructor and Student Resources that include additional content including case studies, reflective activities, diagrams and videos. These can be found at www.routledge.com/cw/bassot. This essential text offers support, guidance and inspiration for all students in the helping professions including education, health, social care and counselling, who want to gain greater self-awareness, challenge assumptions and think about practice on a deeper level.

Critical thinking as a process can appear formal and academic, far removed from everyday life where decisions have to be taken quickly in less than ideal conditions. However, now more than ever, it is seen as a vital part of social work, and indeed any healthcare and leadership practice within the current agenda for integration, and in the post Francis inquiry health care context. This Fourth Edition now reflects this wider arena, but also includes new material in response to the continuing review of social work professional standards. It continues to take a pragmatic look at the range of ideas associated with critical thinking, focusing on learning and development for practice. The chapter on professional judgement has been extended to provide a wider discussion on practical reasoning and judgement in relation to developing expertise, while other chapters and reading lists have also been updated, and activities revised to enhance learning. The authors continue to emphasise the importance of sound, moral judgement based on critical thinking and practical reasoning; while also acknowledging the tensions for staff and teams facing complex, uncertain situations and sometimes oppressive workplace cultures. Their hope is that increased and informed attention to your thinking can help nurture wise deliberation and action in such challenging times.

This book compiles state-of-the art and science of health professions education into an international resource showcasing expertise in many and varied topics. It aligns profession-specific contributions with inter-professional offerings, and prompts readers to think deeply about their educational practices. The book explores the contemporary context of health professions education, its philosophical and theoretical underpinnings, whole of curriculum considerations, and its support of learning in clinical settings. In specific topics, it offers approaches to assessment, evidence-based educational methods, governance, quality improvement, scholarship and leadership in health professions education, and some forecasting of trends and practices. This book is an invaluable resource for students, educators, academics and anyone interested in health professions education.

At a time of growing social, economic and environmental challenge, this book offers a fresh and engaging perspective on the connections between social work and community development and on how social workers can use a community development approach to practice in critical, creative and sustainable ways.