Some Theoretical Propositions on the Nature of Practice Wisdom

Abstract

Summary: The author aims to advance the theoretical understanding of practice wisdom by presenting three propositions in relation to its nature and process. A model of practice wisdom is constructed that seeks to address some issues of critical, accountable and knowledge-based practice, while retaining its flexible, creative and intuitive use of practice knowledge. Findings: It is argued that a critical, accountable and knowledge-based practice wisdom requires distinctive knowledge production processes, the ability to make reasoning explicit, and credible and valuable knowledge. Models of experienced practice development are needed if social work educators are to effectively facilitate the growth of practice wisdom. Such models will need to set out a framework of how such factors as disposition towards knowledge, professional education, practice experience and practice contexts influence whether practitioners engage in wise practice. Applications: The article makes a contribution to the debate about the nature of social work practice and how entrants to social work can become effective practitioners. Practitioners, researchers and social work educators can use the presented framework to review their thinking about the nature of social work practice and the place practice wisdom has in contemporary social work.