Driscoll's "What?" Reflective Model
Driscoll's "What?" Reflective Model is a simple, structured framework for
reflective practice that helps professionals learn from experience by asking three
key questions: What?, So What? and Now What? Developed by John Driscoll in
1994 and influenced by Terry Borton's earlier reflective framework (1970), the
model encourages practitioners to move from describing an event, to analysing
its significance, and finally to identifying actions for future practice. Within social
work, Driscoll's model supports critical reflection, professional judgement,
continuous professional development and evidence-informed practice. Its
straightforward structure makes it particularly useful for supervision, reflective
writing, case reviews and continuing professional development (Driscoll, 2007).
Driscoll adapted Terry Borton's (1970) original model, recognising that
professionals required a practical and accessible method of reflection that could
be applied across a wide range of practice settings. The model has since become
widely used in social work, nursing, healthcare and education because it
encourages meaningful reflection without requiring lengthy or complex
frameworks.
The model consists of three sequential questions.
1. What?
The first stage focuses on describing the situation objectively.
Practitioners consider:
What happened?
What was my role?
Who was involved?
What actions were taken?
What was the outcome?
This stage establishes the factual context without analysing or judging the
events. The emphasis is on providing an accurate account of what occurred.
For example, a social worker may describe conducting a home visit following
concerns about self-neglect, outlining the purpose of the visit, the observations
made and the individual's responses.
2. So What?
Driscoll's "What?" Reflective Model is a simple, structured framework for
reflective practice that helps professionals learn from experience by asking three
key questions: What?, So What? and Now What? Developed by John Driscoll in
1994 and influenced by Terry Borton's earlier reflective framework (1970), the
model encourages practitioners to move from describing an event, to analysing
its significance, and finally to identifying actions for future practice. Within social
work, Driscoll's model supports critical reflection, professional judgement,
continuous professional development and evidence-informed practice. Its
straightforward structure makes it particularly useful for supervision, reflective
writing, case reviews and continuing professional development (Driscoll, 2007).
Driscoll adapted Terry Borton's (1970) original model, recognising that
professionals required a practical and accessible method of reflection that could
be applied across a wide range of practice settings. The model has since become
widely used in social work, nursing, healthcare and education because it
encourages meaningful reflection without requiring lengthy or complex
frameworks.
The model consists of three sequential questions.
1. What?
The first stage focuses on describing the situation objectively.
Practitioners consider:
What happened?
What was my role?
Who was involved?
What actions were taken?
What was the outcome?
This stage establishes the factual context without analysing or judging the
events. The emphasis is on providing an accurate account of what occurred.
For example, a social worker may describe conducting a home visit following
concerns about self-neglect, outlining the purpose of the visit, the observations
made and the individual's responses.
2. So What?
