The Four A's Framework for Service Delivery and Reflective Practice

Abstract

The Four A’s (Assess, Accept, Adapt, and Apply) framework for service delivery has evolved from practitioners’ lived experience of working in industry but is also underpinned by an evidence base. It offers practitioners a framework for planning, implementing, and reviewing their service delivery and subsequent client development. The cyclical continuous process provides a structure for creating a clear vision of what outcomes need to be delivered and in what order of priority whilst recommending points of in-action reflection and on-action reflective transitions. Reflection-in-action is discussed as an effective tool to allow the client and practitioner to continually assess, accept, adapt, and apply cognitions and behaviours which influence the in-the-moment effectiveness of their work. Reflection-on-action is discussed as a formulaic account of practical outcomes, which allows for emotional processing, and is productive when followed by collaborative reflection, which unpacks why events occurred and how best practice can arise from the learnings.