4.2 Show how reflecting on a situation has improved own knowledge, skills and understanding

Reflecting on one’s experiences is an essential aspect of professional development in health and social care.

For health and social care workers pursuing the RQF Level 2 Diploma in Care, reflecting on past situations is a crucial practice that can significantly enhance their knowledge, skills, and understanding.

Here is a detailed guide on how reflecting on a situation has improved one’s own competencies:

Reflective Practice: An Overview

Reflective practice involves a conscious and deliberate process of thinking about one’s actions and experiences to learn and improve from them. It is more than just recalling events; it involves critically analysing what happened, why it happened, and how one can use this understanding to enhance future practice.

Steps to Reflecting on a Situation

1. Description
   • What happened? Provide a detailed description of the situation. Include the context, key events, the people involved, and the outcomes. Being specific helps in effectively analysing the situation.
2. Feelings
   • How did you feel? Reflect on your emotional responses during and after the situation. Understanding your emotions can offer insight into your personal values, biases, and triggers.
3. Evaluation
   • What was good or bad about the experience? Assess the situation’s positive and negative aspects. This can include outcomes for the service user, your own performance, and the responses of others involved.
4. Analysis
   • Why did it happen the way it did? Dive deeper into the reasons behind the events. Consider theories, policies, and practices that might explain why things unfolded as they did.
5. Conclusion
   • What have you learned? Draw conclusions about what this experience has taught you about your practice. Identify what you would do differently if faced with a similar situation.
6. Action Plan
   • How will this experience shape your future practice? Develop a plan for how you will apply these learnings in your future work. This can include setting learning goals, seeking further training, or adopting new strategies in your practice.

Example of Reflective Practice in Action

Scenario

You were supporting an elderly service user with dementia during meal times. The individual became agitated and refused to eat, which caused concern for their nutritional intake and overall well-being.

Reflective Steps

1. Description
   • The service user showed clear signs of distress, such as yelling and pushing the plate away. Despite attempts to calm them, the agitation increased.
2. Feelings
   • Initially, you felt worried about their well-being and frustrated that your efforts to de-escalate the situation were ineffective. You also felt stressed because of the time pressure and the presence of other service users.
3. Evaluation
   • Positive: You maintained a calm demeanour and did not escalate the situation further. You also reported the incident promptly to your supervisor.
   • Negative: You felt unprepared and unsure of the best strategies to manage such behaviour, which affected the service user’s mealtime experience.
4. Analysis
   • The service user’s dementia may have affected their perception of food and eating. Your lack of specialised training in handling dementia-related behaviours likely contributed to the situation. Environmental factors, like noise or sitting arrangements, might have also played a role.
5. Conclusion
   • From this experience, you learned the importance of understanding dementia-specific needs and techniques for managing agitation. You realised the necessity of adjusting your approach based on the individual’s condition and environment.
6. Action Plan
   • You decided to attend a training session on dementia care to improve your skills and confidence in managing similar situations. You also plan to collaborate more closely with your colleagues to ensure a consistent and supportive approach to care.

Improved Knowledge, Skills, and Understanding

• Knowledge: Through reflection, you’ve gained deeper insight into dementia and its impact on behaviour. You now understand the importance of tailored care strategies and environmental adjustments.
• Skills: You have enhanced your capability to remain calm and responsive in challenging situations. Your action plan to undertake further training will equip you with practical skills to manage similar incidents effectively.
• Understanding: Reflection has helped you appreciate the complexities of dementia and the need for a person-centred approach. You understand the significance of ongoing learning and collaboration in providing high-quality care.

By continuously engaging in reflective practice, you develop a proactive mindset that not only improves your own professional capabilities, but also ensures the delivery of compassionate and effective care to service users.