Developing the relationship between reflective practice and social work values

There has been considerable literature published on reflection yet despite this, very little research on reflection and more importantly, understanding on what is reflection. This article looks at the context of reflection in the way it came into the social work education language and how it is now part of established training in both social work and other professions. Yet despite this we are still no further on in understanding the complex nature of reflection. However, in a small-scale research project the key characteristics of moral judgement were identified as essential to the process of reflection. The author looks at the relationship between reflective practice and social work values and concludes with key guidelines for the practice teacher and student. The concept of reflection and in particular, its application to practice, applies across health professions as well as social work