Taking advantage of dissonance: a CPD framework
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JCS-11-2016-0020 |
| Date | 20 March 2017 |
| Published date | 20 March 2017 |
| Pages | 1-15 |
| Author | Jennifer Evyonne Simpson,Janet Bardsley,Sharif Haider,Kenneth Bayley,Gill Brown,Amanda Harrington-Vail,Ann Dale-Emberton |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Vulnerable groups,Children's services,Sociology,Sociology of the family,Children/youth,Parents,Education,Early childhood education,Home culture,Social/physical development |
Taking advantage of dissonance:
a CPD framework
Jennifer Evyonne Simpson, Janet Bardsley, Sharif Haider, Kenneth Bayley, Gill Brown,
Amanda Harrington-Vail and Ann Dale-Emberton
Abstract
Purpose –The purposeof this paper is to communicate the findingsof an empirical research projectbased on
a real worldproblem that involvedthe development of a continuousprofessionaldevelopment (CPD) framework
for a children’sintegrated serviceworkforce. In addition, to give attentionto the notion that children’sintegrated
services have not necessarily been viewed from the perspective of conflict management and that this has
meant ensuing conflicts that characterise suchorganisations are more often than not ignored.
Design/methodology/approach –A case study approach involving a mixed methodology consisting of
semi-structured interviews for senior managers and service leads; a quantitative survey for frontline
practitioners and focus groups for service users, carers and children.
Findings –Rather than the service being fully integrated, services were aligned, and this was reflected in the
conflict between professional cultures, reinforcing an “us and them”culture. This culture had seemingly
permeated all aspects of the organisation including the senior management team. It was also noted that
certain systems and processes, as well as bureaucracy, within the service were seen as hindering integrated
working and was in effect a catalyst for conflict.
Research limitations/implications –What has become evident during the course of this empirical study is
the need to further explore the functioning of children’s integrated services using conflict management
theories, tools and techniques so as to understand how best to manage conflict to an optimum where an
environment of creativity and productiveness is created.
Practical implications –Therefore, when devising a CPD frameworkit can be argued that there is a need to
address some of the types of conflict at the micro-frontline practitioner level of the organisation, as it is this
level where there is opportunity through a variety of mechanisms, for example formal and non-formal learning,
ring-fenced time, attendance at conferences, team away days and shadowing opportunities can be used to
achieve a greater understanding of professional roles, improve working relationships and engage in the
division of tasks in a fashion that will promote collaborative working.
Social implications –The extent to which a children’s integrated service can be the harbinger of a range of
multi-faceted conflicts that include the jarring of professional cultures, task conflict, inter-personal
incompatibilities and competing value bases cannot be underestimated. Therefore, when devising a CPD
framework it can be argued that there is a need to address some of the types of conflict at the micro-frontline
practitioner level of the organisation.
Originality/value –Through the application of conflict management theory it will be illustrated how conflict
could be used to effectively steer children integrated services towards creativity and productivity through an
organisational wide framework that not only embraces dissonance, but also promotesa learning environment
that takes advantage of such dissonance to incorporate a hybrid of professional practice and expertise.
Keywords Education services, Social work, Integrated services, Collaborative working,
Conflict management theory, Continual professional development
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Frost and Parton (2009) argue that the emergence of children’s integrated services began as a
result of a deliberate policy decision by New Labour to redesign the welfare state, reduce social
exclusion and develop a wealth creating economy. Another added impetus for integration came
with the enquiry into the death of Victoria Climbié. The enquiry by Lord Laming (2003) highlighted
Received 14 November 2016
Revised 18 January 2017
Accepted 18 January 2017
Jennifer Evyonne Simpson is a
Regional Academic, Social
Work, Janet Bardsley is a
Social Work Lecturer,
Sharif Haider is a Lecturer and
Kenneth Bayley is an Associate
Lecturer, all at the School of
Health, Wellbeing and Social
Care, Open University in the
South, Oxford, UK.
Gill Brown is based at the
School of Health,Wellbeing and
Social Care, Open University in
the South, Oxford, UK.
Amanda Harrington-Vail is a
Lecturer and Consultant at the
Faculty of Wellbeing, Education
and Language Studies, The
Open University, Newport, UK.
Ann Dale-Emberton is based at
the School of Health, Wellbeing
and Social Care, Open
University in the South,
Oxford, UK.
DOI 10.1108/JCS-11-2016-0020 VOL. 12 NO. 1 2017, pp. 1-15, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1746-6660
j
JOURNAL OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES
j
PAG E 1
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