Knowing mothers: from practitioner research to self-help and organisational change

Abstract

Drawing on an action research project, this article explores the scope offered by practitioner research to extend learning on the part of social workers, their managers, service users and educators, and thereby to generate self-help and organisational change. Conducted in collaboration with mothers of children who had been sexually abused and colleagues in a social work team, this study serves as an example of research-mindedness in practice. It illustrates what may be achieved by committed professionals who conduct research as part of a course of advanced professional education, in which, from the outset, improvement and dissemination are taken seriously. The structuring of this paper is designed to convey this partnership as it extends into writing together.