If you’re reading this guide, there’s a good chance you’re close to reaching the end of your qualification – congratulations!
While the format of your assessments will differ depending on the qualification, it’s likely you’ll be asked to complete at least one reflective account (also known as a reflective log or reflective piece). This written assessment allows you to demonstrate your learning and growth throughout your qualification journey.
To help you prepare for your reflective account, we asked Sarah Edgar, an Associate Assessor in our Qualifications team, to share her advice on writing a reflective account, including her dos and don’ts.
This guide covers:
- What a reflective account actually is
- The typical format of a reflective account
- The benefits of using the Gibbs’ Reflective Learning Cycle
- Sarah’s dos and don’ts of writing a reflective account.
What is a reflective account?
A reflective account is a written document where you analyse your experiences, identify key learnings, and demonstrate how you’ve developed new skills and learning while undertaking your qualification. It’s not just a summary of what you did – your reflective account should critically evaluate your experiences and demonstrate your professional growth.
If you’re completing a qualification with FuturU (for example an SVQ, CAVA or Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification) you’ll be expected to complete at least one reflective account.
Depending on your qualification, you might be asked to complete a reflective account on topics like:
- Moving and positioning
- Health and safety
- Communication
- Safeguarding.
Further details of what you can expect will be shared during your induction, and you can get in touch with your assessor anytime if you have a question.
How is a reflective account typically formatted?
While specific requirements will vary depending on your qualification, reflective accounts generally follow a structured format.
If you complete your qualification with FuturU, you’ll need to complete a reflective account form, which will include questions like;
- Can you describe the nature of the activity, event or experience?
- What was the outcome of this for yourself, the clients/service users/patients, and the team?
- How did you change or improve your practice as a result?
What is the Gibbs’ Reflective Learning Cycle, and how can it help me?
The Gibbs’ Reflective Learning Cycle is a popular framework for structuring reflective accounts. It can help you organise and structure your thoughts, encourage you to move beyond simple description and delve into critical analysis, and highlight how you’ve identified learning points and plan to apply them in the future.
The Gibbs’ Reflective Learning Cycle consists of six stages:
- Description: Start by describing what happened.
- Feelings: Explore your emotions and thoughts during the experience. What were you thinking or feeling as it happened?
- Evaluation: Reflect on and evaluate your experience. What went well? What could have been better?
- Analysis: Analyse the experience to identify key learning points. Why did things happen the way they did? What sense can you make of the experience?
- Conclusion: Summarise what you’ve learned from the experience, and what else you could have done.
- Action Plan: Think about how you could apply your learning to similar experiences in the future. What might you do differently next time?
You can use the Gibbs’ Reflective Learning Cycle to structure your reflective account, for example, by dedicating a paragraph to each stage of the cycle.
Dos and Don'ts of writing a reflective account
DON’T: Be overly critical or negative
DO: Be honest and authentic
Reflect genuinely on your experiences, including both challenges and successes. And try to focus on what you’ve learned and how you’ve grown, even when reflecting on negatives.
DON’T: Make unsupported statements and claims
DO: Use specific examples
Provide concrete examples and evidence to illustrate what you did and back up your reflections. Link your reflections to legislations and codes of practice where relevant too.
DON’T: Simply describe events
DO: Demonstrate critical thinking
Analyse your experiences in depth, identifying key learning points and areas for improvement.
DON’T: Only describe what happened
DO: Highlight the impact it had on you and others
Be honest about your feelings. Did you feel challenged, anxious or satisfied? How did these emotions affect your practice?
DON’T: Just say ‘I’ll do better’
DO: Explain what you’ll do differently next time
Identify specific skills you want to improve or goals you want to set, and outline your next steps.
DON’T: Plagiarise
DO: Proofread carefully
Ensure your writing is clear, concise and free of errors.
DON’T: Leave it to last minute
DO: Start early
Allow plenty of time to prepare your reflection, and speak to your assessor if you get stuck.
DON’T: Forget to reflect on your experiences regularly
DO: Use reflective practice in your everyday life
And not just when you need to write a reflective account – reflecting on what’s working and what’s not in your role can help you grow, and stop you from becoming complacent.
By following this guide and utilising Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle, you can approach your reflective account with confidence, showcasing what you’ve learned and how you’ve developed during your qualification journey.
If you’re in any doubt about how to approach your reflective account, remember our team’s on hand to help! You’ll meet with your assessor each month, and are welcome to schedule another catch up if you need some extra help. You’re not in this alone, and we’re here to support you, every step of the way 💙
