Consensus and professional practice in psychosocial intervention: political achievement, core knowledge-base and prompt for further enquiry

Ager, A. (2008). Consensus and professional practice in psychosocial intervention: political achievement, core knowledge-base and prompt for further enquiry. Intervention, 6(3), 261-264.

The author reflects on the implications of guidelines that are a reflection of professional consensus. In the case of the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, the author suggests that consensus represents (1) a political achievement promising improved inter-agency coordination; (2) a core knowledge base defining key principles and practices; and (3) a useful basis to structure further enquiry to gather a stronger evidence base for programming.

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• 6(3/4), Evidence base, Guidelines, Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), Key principles, Professional consensus