Learning Outcomes Assessed
On successful completion, you will be able to:
1. Identify and evaluate a range of innovative approaches to work with children,
young people and families.
2. Articulate the role of the practitioner and reflective practice in the process of
innovation and practice improvement.
3. Illustrate the importance of cultural sensitivity when working in diverse
communities.
4. Recognise and critique integrated practice and its strengths and weaknesses.
Task/Guidance
You are required to construct a report which critically analyses two innovative approaches
to working with children and families. Within this response you should consider the role
of the practitioner in facilitating such approaches, alongside the use of reflective
processes to enhance and develop practice. The submission should also recognise and
explore the impact of cultural sensitivity when working with diverse communities within
the context of integrated practice. Both of the selected approaches should be critically
reviewed to highlight their strengths and weaknesses. Further links to wider approaches
is encouraged, if appropriate and they align to your discussion.
Remember to refer to, and accurately reference, the literature and theoretical
perspectives when presenting your resource
Suggested writing frame Introduction In this section of your report, you need to introduce the idea of innovation and creativity, what is it and how does apply to working with children, young people, families and communities? How does creative thinking help support the development of creativity? Which approaches will you be looking at? When were your approaches developed and why? How have your chosen approaches impacted practice – briefly!? Reflection You may wish to reflect on your own practice in an area of choice, preferably related to the approaches you have chosen. Use a reflective model to support this and link it to the genre of the approaches you will be looking at if possible. How could being innovative help support development of this issue? You may like to explore cultural sensitivity, reflection, the role of the practitioner here. Are you planning to be innovative in your workplace, if so how/ why? What are your intentions? The Process of Innovation Explain and describe the ideas around innovative approaches and the implementation of change in practice. What is the role of the practitioner, what responsibilities does the practitioner have? Does globalisation effect innovation, how, give examples through literature. Illustrate the importance of cultural sensitivity when working with people from diverse backgrounds. You may like to explore theories of innovation and change implementation in practice. Discuss the need for reflective practice and link to theories and literature to help support this. Innovative Approach 1 – this can be broken into subheadings if desired. Identify and describe your chosen approach. Within this section you may like to explore the historic development of the approach, how have ideas and perceptions changed from the first instance of this approach? Why was it necessary, how was it created? Was it successful initially, if so how, if not how? How do you know? Explore literature to support. You might like to link key pieces of legislation related to the approach if applicable. Use literature and theory to help you evaluate how effective it is with the intention(s), vision, and the impact it has on children, young people, and families. Why is it important? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the approach? How old is the approach, does it need to be adapted/ evolved to meet the needs and expectations today? Would this approach work for all, does it work with diverse communities? What is the role of the practitioner in this approach? How does reflective practice fit into this approach, either in the role or in the process of innovation? How does multi-agency/ integrated work impact this approach?
Innovative Approach 2 – this can be broken into subheadings if desired. As per ‘Approach 1’ Conclusion What have you discovered through your research of the approaches? If you have reflected on your practice, link to your experiences. What can you recommend for future practice, cultural sensitivity and integrated practice? How effective are the 2 approaches in achieving their desired outcomes? Reference List Use Harvard referencing. Appendices Within this section add any beneficial additional information such as: Reflective journals. Legislation. Any visuals that may be useful in relation to the approaches.