Critical reflection and analysis: Learning Pathway
This Learning Pathway explores why critical reflection and analysis are foundational to effective practice in social care and provides tools and reflective questions to build on your skills and knowledge.
As social care practitioners you are making decisions that have a significant impact on other people’s lives. Developing critical reflection and analysis skills will enable you to be clear about what evidence you are drawing on, and what factors influence your advice, support and decision-making.
In this Learning Pathway we explore the importance of critical reflection and analysis as a foundation to social care practice. It introduces you to:
- Key themes through a summary of relevant resources.
- Reflective questions to help you embed the learning in your practice.
- Tools you can take away to put into practice.
There will be five modules in this pathway:
Module 1: Values and ethics
What are the values that we bring to our practice and how do these influence how we see and make sense of a child / family or adult’s situation?
Module 2: Professional curiosity
How can we remain open to learning, questioning, and challenging the information we receive? Lack of curiosity about what is known and why limits analysis and therefore professional judgements.
Modules three to five will be released soon. Covering; Analysis, Working with uncertainty and risk, and Defensible decision-making.
Continuing professional development
Each section in a module will take 20-30 minutes to complete. However, some of the recommended actions suggest using tools to embed over time in your practice.
You can keep track of your progress on the pathway and pause and return when needed.
By completing the pathway you will be able to evidence continuing professional development (CPD) for your record. You can add CPD as you go. To do this:
- Click ‘Add CPD’ icon in each section.
- Add your answers to the reflective questions and consider implications for your practice. You can copy and paste from the page to ensure you remember which questions you are answering. Click save.
- You can then access your reflections by navigating to 'Your account' > 'Your CPD' on your account dashboard.
- You can export CPD to use as reflections on your practice and upload to your regulatory body.
We also have guidance in a short video.