Reflect on and improve own professional practice

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and enhance own practice through a process of reflection and ongoing professional development.This unit applies to workers in all industry sectors who take pro-active responsibility for their own professional development..

The student has Reflected on own practice

Undertake self-evaluation in conjunction with supervisors and/or peers

• Reflect on and recognise the effect of values, beliefs and behaviour in practice

• Share two-way, open and evaluative feedback with co-workers or peers

• Actively seek and reflect on feedback from clients, organisations or other relevant sources

The student has Enhanced own practice

Determine improvements needed based on own evaluation and feedback from others

• Identify potential support networks both internal and external to the organisation

• Seek specialist advice or further training where need is identified

• Recognise requirements for self-care and identify requirements for additional support

• Devise, document and implement a self development plan that sets realistic goals and targets

The student has Facilitated ongoing professional development

• Access and review information on current and emerging industry developments and use these to improve practice

• Assess and confirm own practice against ethical and legal requirements and opportunities

• Identify and engage with opportunities to extend and expand own expertise

• Regularly participate in review processes as a commitment to upgrading skills and knowledge

• Undertaken a structured process to reflect on and improve own practice and created 1 personal development plan that includes:

• Goals

• Time frames

• ways of measuring progress

Knowledge Evidence:

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

• Legal and ethical considerations for reviewing and improving own practice, including:

• Codes of practice

• Duty of care

• Rights and responsibilities of workers and employers

• Work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations

• Models and processes of professional reflection

• Professional development opportunities, including:

• Industry networking

• Professional associations

• Training requirements and options

• Informal and formal ways of learning and developing

• Principles and techniques for:

• Creating a personal development plan

• Personal goal setting

• Setting realistic time frames

• Measuring progress and performance

• Types of work methods and practices which can improve performance

• Learning styles and how they relate to different individuals