Throughout their careers, social work students and practitioners need to demonstrate an understanding of critical and reflective practice. The Professional Capabilities Framework sets out how newly-qualified social workers can achieve this, and become ′critical practitioners′ who are able to make decisions in fast-moving situations. This book is a complete guide for those practitioners who wish to engage with action learning as a way of developing critically reflective practice. 

The authors use Action Learning to explore fundamental aspects of good social work including for example person centred and anti-oppressive practice. The notions of social and emotional intelligence and being critically reflective are also explored in the context of action learning. This book is practical, skills-based and essential reading for all social workers who wish to extend their understanding and knowledge. 

The book is co-authored by Christine Abbott and Paul Taylor, both of whom have extensive knowledge and experience of working with action learning sets and their passion for this approach to learning is evident throughout the book...Overall, there is much to be gained from the ideas within this book and there are some interesting ideas about how social workers can be active within their own learning and problem solving activities within the context of an action learning set. There are some useful pedagogical features throughout the book that encourage engagement with a critically reflective process and underpin the key principles of action learning as an approach to questioning and problem solving. -- Anne Llewellyn, Principal Lecturer in Learning and Teaching Teeside University, and Postgraduate student, Professional Doctorate in Education

Christine Abbott is a partner in the Centre for Action Learning Facilitation (C-ALF) with extensive international experience of facilitating action learning in both public and private sectors. Christine writes about, and researches, action learning practice and holds a number of academic posts including the Open University. Through C-ALF she leads the Skills for Care Action Learning Facilitation programme. Christine is a Board Member and Trustee of the ILM and was instrumental in writing the qualification standards for action learning facilitation. Paul Taylor is a Consultant Practitioner, ASYE Manager and Practice Educator for Southend Borough Council and has worked in adult social care for over ten years. Paul is a lecturer at the University of Essex and an associate of the Centre for Action Learning Facilitation (C-ALF) and works with the Skills for Care Action Learning Facilitation programme.