Aligning values in applied professional practice: a case study of children’s services qualifying programmes in a Scottish university

This comparative study, conducted in a Scottish university, seeks to explore the role of professional values in children’s services qualifying courses in community education, social work and teacher education. Data from students and lecturers were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants recognised the importance of professional values as a central tenet of the courses, and most felt able to identify where these were addressed in teaching and learning opportunities. Key themes included tensions between professional and personal values; dilemmas of values in practice; and scope for enhancement of alignment between university values, professional learning and praxis.