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Online course · Australia

Reflective Practice and Writing a Reflective Statement

Structured Reflection That Shows Learning and Change

  • About 2 hours
  • 15 scenario questions
  • Reflective account
  • Certificate of completion
  • Online, self-paced

About this course

Reflection is now built into every National Board's CPD standard and into most regulatory processes, yet many practitioners were never taught how to write it. This course shows you how to reflect in a way that demonstrates learning and change, whether for your CPD log or a statement to a regulator.

The course defines reflective practice and explains its place in CPD requirements and regulatory processes, and clears up common myths. It introduces Gibbs' reflective cycle, What? So what? Now what?, Kolb's cycle and the perspectives offered by Johns, Rolfe and Brookfield, with a worked Gibbs example.

Writing reflectively covers descriptive versus reflective writing, language that shows ownership and learning, reflecting on feedback and complaints, and deepening reflection with evidence. A section on reflective statements explains the structure Ahpra recommends, with weak and strong versions of a worked example, common pitfalls and confidentiality and legal considerations.

The final sections deal with reflective habits, reflecting with others, healthy reflection and cultural reflexivity, using reflection to plan CPD, recording reflections and sustaining reflective practice.

What you will learn

  • Explain what reflective practice is and where it appears in CPD standards and regulatory processes
  • Use Gibbs' cycle and the What? So what? Now what? model on real events
  • Pick a reflective model that suits your purpose and the depth needed
  • Move from describing events to reflecting on them, using language that shows ownership
  • Deepen reflection by questioning assumptions, perspectives and evidence
  • Structure a formal reflective statement around the four steps in Ahpra's information sheets
  • Avoid common pitfalls and protect confidentiality
  • Build reflection into everyday practice and your CPD planning

Who this course is for

  • Practitioners writing reflections for their CPD records
  • Practitioners asked to write a reflective statement or report
  • Practitioners preparing for a hearing or review
  • Supervisors and educators teaching reflection
  • Practitioners who find reflective writing difficult

How the course works

  1. After checkout the course is added to My Courses in your account, so you can start straight away on any device with a modern browser.

  2. Move through 6 sections (22 lessons in total) in your own time; lessons open in sequence and the player remembers where you stopped on that device.

  3. Each section ends with key points and prompts for reflection. Your notes can be downloaded as a Word course pack or printed for your portfolio.

  4. Sit the 15-question assessment at the end. Score 80% or more (12 of 15) to pass; answer options are reshuffled if you retake.

  5. Complete the reflective account and feedback to finish. Your certificate of completion shows the estimated learning time (about 2 hours), and you record the time you actually spend in your CPD log.

Course content

7 sections · About 2 hours · 15-question final assessment

1What Reflective Practice Is and Why It Matters4 lessons
  • Defining Reflective Practice
  • Reflection in CPD Requirements
  • Reflection in Regulatory Processes
  • Myths About Reflection
2Models of Reflection4 lessons
  • Gibbs' Reflective Cycle
  • What? So What? Now What? and Kolb's Cycle
  • Gibbs in Practice: A Worked Reflection
  • Johns, Rolfe and Brookfield's Lenses
3Writing Reflectively4 lessons
  • Descriptive Versus Reflective Writing
  • Language That Shows Ownership and Learning
  • Reflecting on Feedback and Complaints
  • Deepening Reflection and Using Evidence
4Writing a Reflective Statement or Report4 lessons
  • The Structure Ahpra Recommends
  • A Worked Example: Weak and Strong Versions
  • Common Pitfalls
  • Confidentiality, Legal Considerations and Advice
5Reflection in Everyday Practice3 lessons
  • Building Reflective Habits
  • Reflecting With Others
  • Healthy Reflection, Wellbeing and Cultural Reflexivity
6Reflection in Your CPD Cycle3 lessons
  • Using Reflection to Plan CPD
  • Recording CPD Reflections
  • Sustaining Reflective Practice
7Conclusion, Final Assessment and Reflection4 lessons
  • Conclusion and key points
  • References and quick-reference guide
  • Final assessment (15 questions, 80% pass mark)
  • Your reflective account

Assessment and certificate

  • Certificate of completion stating the estimated learning time (about 2 hours); record the time you actually spend.
  • A written reflective account you can keep with your CPD records.

Questions about this course

How should a reflective statement to a regulator be structured?

Ahpra's information sheets on reflective practice describe a four-step structure. The course explains it and shows weak and strong examples.

Should I get advice before submitting a reflective statement to a regulator?

Yes. A reflective statement can be used as evidence, so seek advice from your lawyer or defence organisation before submitting it.

Is this course useful for routine CPD reflection?

Yes. The models and writing techniques work for everyday CPD reflection as well as formal statements.

Which reflective model should I use?

It depends on your purpose. The course compares Gibbs, What? So what? Now what?, Kolb and others and helps you choose.

What evidence do I get when I finish?

You receive a certificate of completion stating the estimated learning time, and you can download a course pack holding your learning record, a revision sheet and your own reflections. Your CPD log should show the time you actually spend.

Does completing the course satisfy a condition or undertaking?

Not automatically. Where a Board has set education as a condition or undertaking, the course usually has to be nominated and accepted first, so check with Ahpra or the Board, and your legal adviser or defence organisation, before you enrol.

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