Reflective practice in youth work

Reflective practice isn’t just a task, it’s a career-long journey, explains Aaron Smith, NYA Academy Tutor in his article about why taking time to review, learn and adapt is central to youth work.  

With over 20 years’ experience as a JNC-qualified youth worker, I’ve had the privilege of working across the full spectrum of youth work – from detached projects to centre-based provision and faith-based settings. As an NYA Academy Tutor, I also oversee Student Support and outside of work, I help run a summer youth festival that brings together 5,000 young people and over 1,000 volunteers. 

Growing up I was deeply involved in my church youth group and the Boys’ Brigade, a Christian youth organisation. That time was life-changing, shaping who I am today, and I wanted to give young people the same safe space, opportunities to try new things and someone they could trust. This set me on the path to a career in youth work. 

Different approaches for different types of youth work

Early in my career however, I struggled to engage young people on a detached project. I reached out to a friend with experience in that area and spent time observing and working alongside his team. I learned that detached youth work required a different approach than youth club work. As I was entering a young person’s environment and they could choose to engage or walk away, I realised that building trust may take longer and consistency was the key – oh and a flask or two of hot chocolate helped! That small adjustment made a big difference – I could connect more effectively, improving both my practice and young people’s experiences. It’s that moment when I realised reflective practice would be the cornerstone of my development as a youth worker. However, it’s often overlooked. 

Keeping ideas fresh and encouraging consistent team constribution

Whether done individually or as a team, reflective practice is vital. When youth workers commit to reflective practice everyone benefits, and it creates an environment where young people are supported by professionals who are constantly learning and striving to do better. Even taking ten minutes at the end of a session, either on your own or with colleagues, to consider what went well and what could be improved can make a positive difference. Doing this immediately after a session keeps ideas fresh, encourages team contributions and creates consistency.  

It’s also essential to make reflective practice part of your supervision or line management meetings. Take notes to discuss and ask for feedback, ensuring your practice continues to grow and adapt. One of the biggest challenges is finding the time to reflect, but it’s essential for staying grounded and improving your approach. 

Try different approaches to see what works for you, such as Gibbs Reflective Model (1988), which guides you through critically assessing your experiences. 

Consider training which specialises in reflective techniques. NYA Academy’s Level 3 Certificate and Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work Practice (JNC Recognised) courses include a unit on ‘Reflective Practice’, covering its theory and importance, while giving learners the opportunity to discuss how they apply it in their work. 

NYA’s CPD resources, such as Supervising Youth Workers: Building Culturally Competent, Reflective, and Effective Teams also support those managing others to use reflective approaches which foster inclusive, effective teams. 

Without consistent reflective practice, we may inadvertently continue using outdated or ineffective approaches with both young people and colleagues. It can help identify blind spots, highlight areas for development and ways to adapt sessions to better meet young people’s needs.