Reflective Statements – Why They Matter

At RWA, we frequently receive feedback from brokers who use the Development Zone, asking why they need to complete a reflective statement when recording Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

Completing a reflective statement is an important part of the learning and development process for brokers. It helps ensure that you are not simply accumulating hours to meet targets but are actively learning and improving your competence. As such, a CPD record on the Development Zone is not regarded as complete until a reflective statement is submitted.

Reflective practice is a requirement of some professional bodies, such as the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), as a means of demonstrating compliance with their standards and requirements. By completing a reflective statement, you can provide evidence of your compliance and commitment to ongoing professional development.

Reflective practice involves reflecting on experiences, analysing what happened, and considering what could be done differently in the future to improve outcomes. The same can be applied in a learning context.

By completing a reflective statement, you can document what you have learned, and demonstrate how you have applied that learning to your professional practice. This can help you identify areas for future improvement, strengthen knowledge, understanding and application, and ultimately improve the service you deliver to your clients.

A reflective statement should include a brief description of the learning activity and should then identify the key areas of learning or development that you gained from the activity and how these have been applied in practice. This may include any changes or improvements made to your work, such as your approach to working with clients or dealing with colleagues.

It's important to note that a reflective statement is not simply a summary of the learning activity, but rather a thoughtful and critical analysis of the learning gained and how it has been applied in practice. Ideally, the statement should be written in the first person and use specific examples to demonstrate how the learning has been applied.

A strong reflective statement will also demonstrate your commitment to ongoing professional development and how you plan to continue learning in the future. This may include identifying areas for further development and setting goals for future learning activities, which may be carried out on the Development Zone or through tutor-led training.

A reflective statement does not need to be long. Here is an example:

"I recently completed the Development Zone course on vulnerable customers. The course highlighted the importance of understanding and empathising with the unique needs and challenges that vulnerable customers may face. As I reflected on my past interactions with customers, I realised that I could have been more patient and attentive when dealing with certain individuals who may have been struggling with personal or financial issues. Moving forward, I will make a conscious effort to approach each customer interaction with empathy and understanding and take the time to listen and address their concerns in a sensitive and appropriate manner, meeting regulatory requirements such as the new Consumer Duty. I will also continue to seek out opportunities for further learning and development in this area to better serve our customers."

This reflective statement is a good example of how to effectively record CPD for several reasons:

• It clearly identifies the CPD activity undertaken.
• It provides a summary of the key learning points from the course, including the importance of empathy and understanding when dealing with vulnerable customers.
• It uses specific examples of how the CPD has impacted the learner’s real-life practice, demonstrating how the learning has been applied in a practical way.
• It identifies specific actions the learner will take in the future to improve their practice, including a commitment to approach each customer interaction with empathy and understanding.
• It acknowledges the importance of ongoing learning and development in this area, indicating a commitment to continuing to improve and develop their skills.

If you would like to find out more about the Development Zone or begin a 14-day, no-obligation free-trial, please contact us on devzone@rwagroup.co.uk.