The level of work engagement is an important aspect of organizational culture. In this empirical study the relation between engagement and experienced professionalism of probation officers is investigated. Starting from ideal-typical theories on professionalism, a psychometric instrument for measuring experienced professionalism was developed and administered to a sample of Dutch probation officers. Two reliable scales could be constructed that account for 64% of the variance in work engagement. Of these, professional ethos (humanistic values) is the most important predictor of work engagement in probation. Professional facilitation (support from the surroundings), however, also contributes to engagement.
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Students in higher professional education are prepared for high level professional practice. To be able to fulfil their future roles, their educational programs aid them in developing their professionalism. This paper presents the conceptual and empirical search for a measurement model on professionalism. Professionalism is a multifaceted construct which is at best vaguely described in previous research. It is here conceptualized through the conceptual model by Griffioen (2019) as a personal integration of professional identity, professional knowledge and professional action that transforms over time through accommodation and assimilation practices. These practices imply the development of the (future) professional. Additionally, initial findings of the development of professionalism in students during their 4 year undergraduate degree are discussed.
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Contemporary social work is subjected to ongoing questions in terms of its effectiveness and accountability. It appears to be problematic for social workers to defend themselves in a proper manner. When they do so, they often seem to rely primarily on a rhetoric of good intentions and are thus unable to constructively asses the underlying principles of their work. These considerations have prompted the research outline that is presented in this paper.
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