Collaboration, co-operation and continuing professional development

This chapter will consider the importance of continuing professional development as a strategy to support practitioner development, improve practice and staff motivation. It will look at models of reflective practice and how these can be used to develop a participatory research culture within settings. It will therefore consider how practitioners can be encouraged through reflection to develop research projects, engage in wider research and embrace change within a fast-moving environment. It will explore these opportunities in the context of collaboration and co-operation with colleagues in the sector. It will finally consider the practicalities of this and how it can be a supportive tool for settings, practitioners and the families and children they work with.