Reflection Journal

Puneet Kamal Kaur

Norquest College

CYCD 2100: Practicum II

Anne Bello, Trina Homeniuk

Date: January 28, 2023

What signs could a child and youth care worker recognize in a client who may be experiencing

challenges understanding expectations and communicating needs in the practicum placement? In

what ways can you try to help?

There are several signs that a child or youth care worker can recognise in a client who

may be experiencing challenges understanding expectations and communicating their needs in a

practicum placement. These signs may include; Difficulty following instructions or completing

tasks, confusion or frustration with the expectations of their role, difficulty initiating or

participating in conversations with others, withdrawal or isolation from others, increased stress

or anxiety levels, and many others. During my practicum placement, I encountered a client who

seemed to struggle with understanding expectations and communicating their needs. The client

was a teenage boy who was placed there due to behavioural issues. I noticed that he often acted

out in ways that seemed inappropriate or disruptive, and was unable to articulate his wants and

needs effectively. As a result, he would withdraw from communication and engage in aggressive

behaviour. However, it was clear that he was not doing it on purpose. As a child and youth care

worker, I recognized that this behaviour was a sign of difficulty with understanding expectations

and communicating needs. I decided to approach the situation by having a one-on-one

conversation with the client. During our talk, I listened actively and tried to understand his

perspective. I understood that his lack of articulation skills was his biggest enemy. I also

provided clear explanations of the rules and expectations and encouraged him to express his

needs and concerns. I expected him to be resistant to change, but he was actually very open and

receptive to my approach. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to talk and seemed

genuinely eager to improve his situation. The experience was much more positive and productive

than I had anticipated, which was a pleasant surprise. I felt confident and empowered by the
positive outcome of our conversation. I was also relieved that I was able to connect with the

client in a meaningful way and help him to understand the expectations and communicate his

needs. This experience reinforced my belief that active listening and empathy are essential skills

for a child and youth care worker (Cragg, 2020).

This experience taught me that every client has their own unique story and challenges and

that it is important to approach each situation with an open mind and a willingness to listen. I

also learned that clear communication and active listening can help clients to understand

expectations and express their needs in a healthy and productive way. The experience also relates

to my career as a child and youth care practitioner, as it highlights the importance of using a

client-centred approach when working with young people. This approach involves putting the

client's needs and perspectives at the forefront of your work, which can help to build trust and

foster positive relationships. The theories of CYC competencies especially relationship and

communication from my classes helped me to understand this experience, as they emphasize the

importance of supportive relationships in promoting positive outcomes for young people (Cragg,

2020).

As a result of this experience, I am going to approach future practicums and work with a

greater sense of empathy and a commitment to active listening. I am also going to make a

conscious effort to use a client-centred approach when working with young people, as I believe

that this can help to build trust and foster positive relationships. If I had to do this experience

again tomorrow, I would approach it in the same way but obviously with more confidence. I

believe that active listening, encouraging communication, fostering relationships, and empathy

are essential skills that can help clients to understand expectations and communicate their needs,

and I will continue to use these skills in my future work as a child and youth care practitioner.
References

Cragg, C. (2020). Child and Youth Care in the Field: A Practicum Guidebook. Canadian

Scholars’ Press.