Family Service Workers

One key to building relationships is taking the time to reflect on our work with families. When we look at what’s working and what’s not, we can make changes that strengthen our relationships with families. Individual and shared reflective practice helps us work more effectively with families and contribute to better outcomes for children and families.

Taking the time to reflect—to stop and think about what has happened, what is happening, and what should happen next—is essential to creating and maintaining Positive Goal-Oriented Relationships. In this section, we will explore reflective practice strategies to support our work to build relationships with families.

Reflection is an important part of our own continuous improvement process to understand why and how we make the choices we do. Taking the time to look at yourself and your work gives you the opportunity to acknowledge strengths and challenges, and to improve your skills.

Just as Head Start staff strive to engage parents and families in healthy, trusting, and respectful relationships, it is important that staff have the same kind of relationships with colleagues and supervisors. Supervision is not only about staff accountability. It also involves the commitment to nurture and guide staff so that they have the tools to engage children and families successfully.

Explore strategies you can use in individual reflective practice and reflective supervision. Taking the time to reflect—to stop and think about what has happened, what is happening, and what should happen next—is essential to creating and maintaining strong relationships with families and peers. Reflective supervision is an opportunity to provide structured support for staff who want to build skills and enhance their work with families.

This learning series includes two interactive Individualized Professional Development Portfolio courses to enhance your understanding of homelessness. Learn how to identify, enroll, and support children and families with unstable living situations.

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