What is it about?
Reflection on mistakes is a powerful source for more effective decision-making and action also in social work. Mistakes are inevitable and security has also costs and not only benefits. Social workers should pay special attention to latent errors and risks, find immediate measures to repair and limit harm and learn to prevent similar events in the future. ‘Smart questions’, reflective frameworks, reflective friends, concise reflective writing are some of the easiest and more effective strategies aimed at improving the quality of decision making in social work.
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Why is it important?
Blame culture is probably the main obstacle to expressing and listening to affirmative and useful feedback on mistakes. Structured reflection on mistakes improves professional skills in social work and help practitioners to help their service users more effectively.
Perspectives
I hope this article stimulates social workers to: 1) stop and reflect also on the episodes they could find embarrassing and feel ashamed of; 2) start using reflective strategies and tools; 3) open a debate in the profession on some of 'taboo issues' like mistakes, vulnerability and shame.
Dr Alessandro Sicora
Universita degli Studi di Trento
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Reflective Practice, Risk and Mistakes in Social Work, Journal of Social Work Practice, October 2017, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/02650533.2017.1394823.
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