Abstract/Summary

An action research approach was utilised to explore practitioner change at an organisational level within Alternative Provision (AP). My overarching aim was to ascertain to what degree I, as a senior member of staff working within a Pupil Referral Unit, a form of Alternative Provision, could develop the reflective practice of my colleagues so that they are able to effectively enact principles aligned with Attachment and Trauma-Informed Practice (ATIP). Research relevant to both Alternative Provision and ATIP are currently poorly represented in the research literature, emphasising the value of this research. The research consisted of two phases, gathering data gained from interviews with colleagues, both individually and as part of a focus group. To support practitioner consideration of their practice, regular supervision sessions and structured reflective models were implemented for all staff. A Model of Reflective Practice was developed, which offered the most important factors that impact reflective practice relevant for the staff working within the organisation. This avenue of investigation was developed further during the second phase, through reframing decision making as agentic choice and a focus on the importance of practitioner values. The Ecological Model of Staff Agency was presented with which to more accurately conceptualise and guide practitioner decision making. This model amended previous iterations through the explicit addition of both the importance of personal factors and the consideration of multiple possible agentic outcomes. The research showed that the systems implemented across the organisation had some successes in the development of practitioner reflective practice and thus instigating change on an organisational level. However, this impact was noticeably inconsistent, with clear discrepancy across the wider staff team practice. This was hypothesised to be due to the relatively short time frame of the research, as well as the unique challenge that working in AP requires with regard to strongly held beliefs of practitioners and the impact that such a high level of relational support necessitates. The planned next phase of the research will focus efforts on developing individual reflective capacity to ensure greater alignment between espoused values and tangible practice.