A Qualitative Exploration of Reflective Practice Groups in British Red Cross Services

Abstract

Reflective practice is widely used in health and care disciplines, as an approach to professional learning and maintaining staff wellbeing. Clinical psychologists often have responsibility for supporting reflective practices in other professionals; a frequent approach to which is facilitating reflective practice groups (RPGs). Practices vary widely, and the supporting evidence for RPGs in general is limited. No published research to date has examined non-professionally trained staff using RPGs in any health, social care or support service. The British Red Cross provides a team of psychosocial practitioners, supporting staff and volunteers in refugee support services with interventions including RPGs. This study used a Grounded Theory methodology to explore these RPGs in terms of key processes and impacts. Five focus groups were conducted with teams using RPGs, group facilitators, and the managers of refugee support services. Data analysis produced an original theoretical model of RPGs in British Red Cross services. Important processes were identified in which teams and facilitators reconcile the acknowledged potential benefits, with sources of anxiety and resistance around engaging with RPGs, to co-construct groups which contribute to workers’ wellbeing and professional development, and contribute to a more reflective professional culture at a local and national level. This research contributes a unique account of lay perspectives on RPGs in care professions, directly relevant to the practice of clinical psychologists facilitating RPGs with non-professionally trained staff. These findings are discussed in the context of previous research, theories of reflective practice and group processes. The implications for practice are discussed, and future directions for research are identified.