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Implementing evidence-based practice: an organisational perspective
- Author:
- PLATH Debbie
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 44(4), 2014, pp.905-923.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Qualitative findings on how evidence-based practice (EBP) is conceptualised and implemented in an Australian human service organisation are presented. The paper examines the application and relevance of the five-step decision-making model of EBP to the organisational context and also the position of standardised ‘evidence-based programmes’ in relation to EBP decision making. The case study has shown that the five-step model of EBP decision making is relevant to a human service organisational context, but that some modifications of the model would enhance its applicability and utility. First, it is proposed that the five-step model would be better conceived systemically to reflect the relational and contextual processes impacting on practice decision making in the teams and organisations in which social workers practise, rather than being confined to individual, clinical decision making. Second, a cyclic model is offered in order to capture a process of ongoing critical reflection, evidence gathering and programme modification as organisations develop and refine programmes to address priorities and improve client outcomes in complex and dynamic environments. (Publisher abstract)
Organizational processes supporting evidence-based practice
- Author:
- PLATH Debbie
- Journal article citation:
- Administration in Social Work, 37(2), 2013, pp.171-188.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
A case study is used to illustrate the implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) as an organizational change process. EBP implementation is presented as a systemic process reliant on executive leadership and organizational culture. The organisation in the case study is a non-governmental human service organisation providing services to children, adults, and families from 80 locations across Australia. Qualitative data and quantitative data were gathered from written documents, questionnaires, interviews and focus groups. These included five focus groups were conducted with a total of 20 frontline disability workers and 24 interviews with key staff involved with EBP implementation. Professional qualifications of those participating included social work, psychology, community development and health related. In addition, 15 visits to five office locations in two states were conducted. Qualitative findings suggest that effective EBP implementation requires engagement of staff across the organization. Strategies for staff engagement are identified, including the development of communities of practice. A model for organizational analysis is presented to assist preparation for EBP implementation. (Edited publisher abstract)
Support for evidence-based practice in a human service organization
- Author:
- PLATH Debbie
- Journal article citation:
- Administration in Social Work, 37(1), 2013, pp.25-38.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Developing evidence-based or research-informed approaches to practice in human services requires research-oriented cultures in organisations. One feature of this is frontline staff that are engaged with and supportive of evidence-based practice (EBP) approaches. This paper reports on qualitative study of staff support for EBP in an organisation where senior management made a commitment to EBP. Data were drawn from a single organisation in Australia. Using several measures of support for EBP, including two standardised scales, the findings revealed strong support for EBP. The results indicated that, in this organisation, being female, having higher qualifications, and being at a higher level in the organisation are associated with greater support for EBP and that years employed in the organisation is negatively correlated with support for EBP.
International policy perspectives on independence in old age
- Author:
- PLATH Debbie
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Aging and Social Policy, 21(2), April 2009, pp.209-223.
- Publisher:
- Routledge
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Although the promotion of independence is a common feature of policies on older people across the world, independence has a variety of meanings that are shaped by different social, political and economic contexts and by different values and attitudes towards older people. This study compares policies in Australia, Denmark, India and the UK. In Australia and the UK, liberal democratic values translate into support for individual independence in old age. In Denmark, a strong emphasis on social responsibility and the right to public services means that choice, rather than independence, for older people is the prime focus. In India, independence is of less significance in the context of economic constraints and strong social values supporting family responsibility for the care of older people. This analysis raises important questions about the promotion of independence as a goal in the aging policies of international bodies such as the UN and WHO.
Independence in old age: the route to social exclusion?
- Author:
- PLATH Debbie
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 38(7), October 2008, pp.1353-1369.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The promotion of independence is a dominant theme in policy on old age and is also a principle used to guide social work practice with older people. This qualitative study of older people’s experiences of independence reveals that independence is a complex notion with a variety of meanings. In-depth interviews with older Australians elicited five main discourses on independence: doing things alone; making one’s own decisions; physical and mental capacity; having resources; social standing and self-esteem. Whilst the goal of independence was strongly upheld by the older people, negative experiences associated with independence were also revealed. Based on the experiences of these older people, the findings of this study offer insights for social workers prepared to move beyond individualistic interpretations of independence and promote socially inclusive independence.
Evidence-based practice: current issues and future directions
- Author:
- PLATH Debbie
- Journal article citation:
- Australian Social Work, 59(1), March 2006, pp.56-72.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Evidence-based practice approaches continue to increase in popularity in health and human service contexts in Australia and internationally. As social workers face pressures to evidence practice and justify outcomes, the limitations in applying an evidence-based practice approach to social work are confronted. The present paper identifies the features of evidence-based practice and notes the potential benefits and limitations of this approach in social work. Debates surrounding the nature of social work interventions, effectiveness and evidence are reviewed. The current context and climate influencing the use of research and other evidence in social work are discussed. The paper also considers the position of qualitative, interpretive and critical reflective approaches in relation to evidence-based practice. Issues for the future of evidence-based practice in social work are identified, including the need for the profession to examine more closely the relationship between critical reflective and evidence-based approaches to practice.
Evaluating the outcomes of intensive critical thinking instruction for social work students
- Author:
- PLATH Debbie
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Education (The International Journal), 18(2), June 1999, pp.207-217.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Social workers require critical thinking skills to analyse situations which present themselves in the course of professional work and in making decisions about the most appropriate forms of social work intervention. The 4-year Bachelor of Social Work degree at the University of Newcastle, Australia, introduced an intensive instructional unit on critical thinking at the beginning of the final year of the course. The Cornell Critical Thinking Test, the Ennis-Weir Essay Test and a qualitative student self-appraisal were administered to students in the fourth year of the degree prior to the intensive instructional unit on critical thinking and again after the unit had been completed. From the results it was concluded that explicit and concentrated instruction on critical thinking assisted social work students to improve their critical thinking abilities and to identify principles of critical thinking.
Personalised budgets: What is the future for child protection?
- Authors:
- PLATH Debbie, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 51(7), 2021, pp.2458-2477.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
As the Australian state of New South Wales considers the adoption of a policy of personalised budgets in child protection, questions arise regarding how such a policy could take shape and how it would impact service delivery to promote safety and well-being amongst vulnerable children. This article presents findings from a mixed-method, realist evaluation of a pilot programme that adopted some of the features of personalised budgets, namely, personalisation, brokerage and keyworkers. Drawing on literature on personalised budgets in disability and aged care, the article highlights the features, potential benefits and challenges of personalised budgets in child protection. It concludes by arguing for a better understanding of how personalised budgets could benefit vulnerable children. This might involve: defining the roles of brokers and keyworkers, developing ways to increase service user engagement, clarifying implications for the wider service sector and planning for the provision of required supports and services for children and families. (Edited publisher abstract)
Outcomes of a school-based program for young children with disruptive behaviors
- Authors:
- PLATH Debbie, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Schools, 38(1), 2016, pp.9-19.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This article reports on outcomes of an Australian pilot school-based early intervention programme called Got It! (Getting On Track In Time!). Findings contribute to evidence for the effectiveness of interventions for children with early-onset conduct problems. The Got It! programme incorporates universal and targeted components for children ages five to eight years with emerging conduct problems, during their first three years of schooling (K–2). A mixed methods research design entailed pre- and postintervention measures of child behaviour and of parenting practices for 60 families who completed the targeted intervention. In addition, qualitative data were gathered in parent and carer interviews. Significant improvements on outcome measures were supported by qualitative findings. Improved scores were maintained by 85 percent of children at the six- to eight-months follow-up. This early evaluation research indicates positive impacts from Got It! for many of the families participating in the targeted intervention. A partnership between health and education is fundamental to the programme model. The school context for programme delivery was found to support engagement with families who would not otherwise access services. (Edited publisher abstract)
A National Disability Insurance Scheme: what social work has to offer
- Authors:
- FAWCETT Barbara, PLATH Debbie
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 44(3), 2014, pp.747-762.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This paper appraises key features of the recently proposed National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia and explores underpinning conceptualisations of ‘disability’, ‘autonomy’, ‘choice’ and ‘assessment’. In particular, it examines the ways in which the Scheme reconfigures a continuation of individualised payments and care package policies. These proposals can be seen to have international significance in terms of how new policy is formulated and also implemented in this controversial field. It is argued that, by utilising embedded human rights perspectives, social work practice principles and social model understandings of disability, social workers can play a crucial role in reframing the opportunities presented by key policy changes. (Publisher abstract)