Evidence-based practice denotes an approach to decision-making which is transparent, accountable, and based on a consideration of current best evidence about the effects of particular interventions on the welfare of individuals, groups and communities. Introducing readers to the concept of evidence-based social care, this text shows how such an approach can help provide best quality services to users. Including an introduction to the key skills required of the evidence-based practitioner, the text also discusses the implications of such an approach for qualifying and post-qualifying training, with particular reference to social work. Written in a clear and easy-to-follow style, each chapter begins with a statement of proposed learning objectives. The text incorporates examples of difficult issues as well as exercises and activities in order to encourage critical thinking and debate.

Author Biography

Geraldine Macdonald is Director of Information and Knowledge Management at the Commission for Social Care Inspection. She is also Visiting Professor of Social Work and Applied Social Studies at the School for Policy Studies.. She has had a close involvement with the Cochrane Collaboration since the mid 1990s and has served as the Archie Cochrane Research Fellow at Green College, University of Oxford. Currently, Geraldine is also Visiting Professor at Centre for Evidence-Based Social Services, University of Exeter. Her particular research interests include critical thinking and decision-making in social work, the evaluation of social welfare interventions, cognitive-behavioural therapy, child protection and ethics. Geraldine has been Co-ordinating Editor of the Cochrane Developmental, Psychosocial and Learning Problems Review Group since its establishment in 1998.