Professional Development in Health and Social Care

The article discusses the creation of a professional development plan, critical reflection of own practice, evaluation of knowledge against standards and benchmarks, and ways of overcoming barriers for professional development in health and social care. It also covers learning opportunities, goals and targets, and comparison of models of reflective practice.

Professional
Development in Health
and Social Care

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Task 1: Personal development plan.................................................................................................1
Produce a professional development plan (3.1).....................................................................1
Review progress and effectiveness of the professional development plan (3.2)....................3
Task 2: Critical reflection of own practice......................................................................................4
Your own learning style and current skills ability..................................................................4
Meant by professional development (1.1)..............................................................................5
Evaluation of knowledge against standards and benchmarks (2.1)........................................5
Create Goals and targets for professional development (2.3)................................................6
Learning opportunities to reflect how you learn best (2.4)....................................................6
Ways of overcoming barriers and sources available to professional development (1.2 & 1.3)
................................................................................................................................................7
Compare models of reflective practice...................................................................................7
Use of reflective practice in improving performance (4.2)..................................................10
Effectiveness of the reflective practice (4.3)........................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Professional development plan is basically a written document that comprises of goals,
required skills and competency that needs development along with the objectives of the staff
member and employees that they need to accomplish and achieve in order to support and have
continuous improvement and better career development (Huscroft-D'Angelo, Poling and Trout,
2021). The current project comprises of description about the creation of professional
development plan along with reviewing its progress. Further, evaluation of knowledge against set
standards and benchmark is also made together with selection learning opportunities to learn
best. At last, a comparison out models of reflective practises are also made along with analysing
effectiveness of the reflective practises.
Task 1: Personal development plan
Produce a professional development plan (3.1)
Following professional development plan has been prepared to have improvement in
knowledge level and improved skills that are required to perform my job role of health and social
care in a more effective and efficient manner:
Objectives Success criteria Actions Time Implementation
To improve
communication
skill
Become able to
effectively
coordinate and
interact with my
colleagues and
managers to
remove the
chances of chaos
and confusion
while performing
my job role as
health and social
care practitioner.
It also ensures
Effectively
listening to others
along with
becoming more
specific on my
communication
main action to
improve mu
communication.
Beside this,
training about
effective ways of
communication
would also take
3 months Ensure
improvement in
the coordination
level at
workplace
along with
ensuring better
interaction and
connection with
patients to
provide better
quality care.
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better
communication
and interaction
with the patients
to ensure
improved care for
them.
by me.
To enhance my
leadership skills
It is important to
have effective
leadership skills
to perform my
job role of health
and social care
practitioner as it
ensures
quantifiable
patient care and
instils confidence
and higher level
of trust and
loyalty to
improve quality
in health care.
Training about
various
leadership theory
can be taken by
me to improve
my knowledge
about effective
ways of guiding
and motivating
others, Further,
implication of
effective
situational
analysis and
improved vision
can also be made
by me.
4 months Enhancement in
leadership skill
ensures higher
confidence
level and
improved level
of motivation
that lead a
positive impact
on performing
of my job role
and also
supports
improved career
development.
To improve time
management skills
It is essential to
become more
discipline and
effective in
performing job
role
Training about
the use of time
management
tools like Gantt
chart. Along with
this, proper
predation of time
3 months Improve
efficiency level
and ensure
timely
management of
tasks along with
taking more
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table based on the
priority of task.
efficient care of
the patient.
Improve ICT
skills
Needed to
become more
automated in
performing my
job role through
ensure effective
computer skills.
Use of online
training classes
about various
new medical
technology.
4 Months Enhance my
level of
efficiency in
performing job
role through
making proper
se of automated
machines and
computers.
Review progress and effectiveness of the professional development plan (3.2)
The current professional development plan is effective in ensuring and leading progress in
my job role as heath and care practitioner as it ensures more effective communication with my
colleagues and patient which remove the chance of chaos and confusion thus support improved
performance. Further, effective leadership skills keep me and my team motivated towards
achievement of set target and time management skill ensure more discipline and effectiveness in
my work. Along with this, the effective ICT skills ensures more effective use of computer and
laboratory and with medical equipment’s which supports better progress in my job role.
The current professional development plan is effective in ensuring improved growth as a
health and social care practitioner as it supports better communication and leadership skill to
effectively interact and guide team member and family members of patients to ensure better
quality care. Along with this, effective time man agent would enhance the level of efficiency and
decline which improved my ability to complete a task well on time. ICT skill would also ensure
improved career development through making me able to effectively handle computer and other
technical software which improve my growth level in medical sector.
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Task 2: Critical reflection of own practice
Your own learning style and current skills ability
My own learning style is based on VARK learning styles that comprises of visual learning,
auditory learning, reading and writing learning along with kinesthetic learning. The visual
learning style supports internalize and synthesize of information that is presented to me in
graphic and diagram form along with photos and videos (Bhaskar, Joshi and Chopra, 2021).
Implication of Auditory learning supports improved in my information and knowledge level
based on hearing and presented to me in a vocally manner which is important to learn while
performing day to day task. Reading and writing ensuring style is also important for me to have
strong learning preference in written word which supports gaining of information of provided
written reports and presentation. Along with this, kinesthetic learning style is also vital for me as
it the one which supports effective learning of new aspects and concepts while performing
physical activity while undertaking my job roles and daily task. To have better analysis and
implication of my current skill ability, use of Skill audit technique has been made by me this
which is providing better analysis of my present skills:
Basis High
(Excellent)
Very good Good Average Low
Skill Range 5 4 3 2 1
Organisational
skill

Intellectual
skill

Communication
skill

Leadership skill 
ICT skills 
Time
management

On the basis of above skill audit it has been determined by me that I having effective
organisational skills that supports better management and organisation of various resources
during my job role is health care practitioner. Along with this, effective intellectual skills support
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higher creativity and critical thinking in my day to operations which is also supported by
moderate communication and leadership skill. But I Need to effectively work on development of
my ICT skills and time management skills to have improved growth and better professional
opportunity a health and social care practitioner (Chambers, 2021).
Meant by professional development (1.1)
The definition and meaning of professional development comprises of continuous learning
in order to earn and maintain the set professional credentials with the formal coursework and
while performing the job roles (Chase and et. al., 2021). Professional development comprises of
setting of professional goals along with determining and evaluating the required skills and
competency that to accomplish and achieve the set gaols through support of continuous
improvement in skills and knowledge level for better career development.
Evaluation of knowledge against standards and benchmarks (2.1)
Various standards and benchmarks has been used within the health and social care
profession which comprises of codes of practice which are set by the social care council along
with the essential standards lead out by the CQC (Care quality commission). I have effectively
meet the set benchmarks and standards set out the social and health acre council through
ensuring the quality of my work and undertaking of my responsibility should meet and
maintaining the aim of improving the safety of patient and maintaining the quality level of
survives (Collings and Dowse, 2021). Along with this, I also meet and keep in mind the essential
standards of quality and safety provided by the CQC while performing my job role as health and
social care practitioner by the way of evaluating health and welfare needs of patients and
ensuring proper training for the staff to learn improved practises and further knowledge for
supporting improved quality and safety for patients. Further, to meet the set benchmark and
standard of high quality it has been also ensured by me that enough members of the staff on the
shift for all time along with keeping a check and control observe the servicer user safety and
meeting of their need to keep them motivated and directed towards achievement of set
benchmark and quality standards. I also ensured that me and my all the staff members are well
trained and have all the needed and appropriate knowledge and skills along with experience to
meet the need of health and welfare of patient as set benchmark and standards (Hilty and et. al.,
2021).
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Create Goals and targets for professional development (2.3)
Within our organisation we are having an effective in-house training programme which
covers and provide extensive range of topic and skills that are required and necessary for medical
professionals which include emergency first aid Knowledge, maintaining dignity and inclusion at
workplace, food hygiene, die and nutrition, time management and etc. It has been analysed and
evaluated by me that my knowledge level in the field of first aid and food nutrition is limited that
is drawback as health and social care practitioner (Winberry and Potnis, 2021). Apart from this, I
also lack in time magnet skills along with ineffective communication and interaction level. Being
a health care practitioner, I tend to have a busy schedule thus, effective time management has
become more vital for me along with ensuring effective discussion and communication with my
colleagues to have improved knowledge and understanding level to support patient safety and
quality services. Thus, following goals and targets are set out by me for my professional
development:
 To develop and have improve knowledge about the first aid and food nutrition through
making use of in ICT skills and online training programmes within next 6 months.
 To have improvement in the communication and interaction level in the coming 4
months.
 To develop netter knowledge about time management tools like Gantt chart and Time
table to ensure more discipline and efficiency in my job role as health and social care
practitioner within coming 6 months.
Learning opportunities to reflect how you learn best (2.4)
Various learning opportunities are viable for me in current business scenario which
comprises of making use of some online training and coaching programs to have improved in the
areas of need. Use of ongoing house training in the topic of food nutrition and first aid can be
also made by me as they support better analysis and understanding of facts along with leading
improvement in ICT skills through leading practical use of basic computer skills and use of other
technology. Further, it has been observed that making use of the visual learning style is most
effective and best way of learning for me as it supports internalize and synthesize of information
that is presented in graphic and diagram form along with photos and videos. Along with this, it
has been also reflected by me that the implication of Auditory learning is also vital and suitable
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for me as it supports improvement in my information and knowledge level based on use of
hearing of the all the important points and information that is presented to me in a vocally
manner. Along with this, making use of the kinesthetic learning style is also vital and suitable for
me as it the one which supports effective learning of new aspects and concepts while performing
physical activity while undertaking my job roles and daily task as health and social care
practitioner (O’Brien, 2021). Thus, an analysis and reflection can be made out me that adoption
of the visual along with kinesthetic is most vital and best learnings style for me as it supports
gaining of knowledge while performing a job role and along with based on video presentation
and graphs information that ensures improved underdoing level along with leading better
analytical and interpersonal skills.
Ways of overcoming barriers and sources available to professional development (1.2 & 1.3)
Various barrier such as lack of finance and support from staff members along with no time
for training and lack of encouragements are found as main challenges and barriers for
professional development. Along with this, Inadequate workplace supervision and Low self-
esteem issues are also encountered as main barriers for self and professional development. To
overcome the issue of finance and lack of sufficient time use on online sources of training could
be made which offers most cost and time effective way of learning. Further, through ensuring
effective discussion and implication of motivational theory towards professional development
can be made to mitigate the issue of low employer esteem and lack of encouragements at
workplace (Badoer, Hollings and Chester, 2021).
Compare models of reflective practice
The reflective practises mainly comprise of concept and process of assessing own thoughts
and self-made action with the purpose of professional and personal development of skill and
knowledge level. A comparison between two most commonly used reflective practises has been
provided as below:
Gibbs - Reflective Cycle model:
This model is more concerned with the own feeling and perception of the individual that is
related with creating stringer idea and empathy for continuous devolvement (Black and et. al.,
2021). The main steps and stages of the Gibbs are discussed as below:
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Figure 1: Gibbs - Reflective Cycle model, 2021
Description- It provided information action taken to bring about the changes that are
needed to made by the individuals to get better results and improvements in the specific times.
Feelings- This step tends to focus on the feeling and experience of an individual while
undertaking action which encourages and leads to effective thinking and empathic listening to
develop own view point and improved perception about every context (Sewell, 2021).
Evaluation- This stage comprises of effective evaluation of the both good as well as bad
experience that are encountered by an individual while performing a task which creates an
improved sense of understanding and analysis of weakness that need to me mitigate and
improved.
Analysis- This stage creates a true sense of situation and analysis about the performance
and skill level of an individuals in dealing out with that situation that leads base for the learning
and improvement in the individuals.
Conclusion- It comprises of a summary about the facts and information that has been
learned and improved by an individual during a course of action which supports their better
evaluation and implication about their strengths and weakness.
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Action Plan- It is the stage that supports and ensure future development and improvement
in the skills and competencies level of an individual through taking effective actions in future to
mitigate and overcome the weakness in future to deal in more effective ways with the similar
situation which ensures professional development (Huscroft-D'Angelo, Poling and Trout, 2021).
Kolb's Learning Styles
this model of reflective practise represents the best way to get enhanced the experience
and learning level of an individual in the daily life. It includes the different stages that is tend to
moving in continuous loop which are effective in developed the learning in effective manner
which are discussed as below:
Figure 2:Kolb's Learning Styles, 2021.
Experience: Under this an individual gain knowledge by making the encountered or the
reinterpretation of the experience gained through recent time to make clear understanding.
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Reflection: It comprises of the observation of the recent experience and actions to bring
more consistency and induce understanding from the experience that get gained while
completing the particular task and activity.
Learning/Conclusion: It is based on abstract conceptualization of the action that tend to
introduce the risen of the new idea by modifying the existing conceptual that it is earned by the
experience of an individual (Bhaskar, Joshi and Chopra, 2021).
Planning/experimentation: This stage is mainly based on the active experimentation where
individuals will get learn about the way of implied different strategy while getting over and
experience any situation with more easiness.
Use of reflective practice in improving performance (4.2)
Reflective practice plays a vital role in improving my performance level as it facilitates
better information about my existing performance and skill level based on the perception and
view point of my colleagues, supervisor, family members of patients including my own
perception about exiting skill and performance level. Thus, use of reflective practises has been
made by me to improved my professional development an examples of use of which is provided
as below based on perception of associated parties:
From staff members and colleagues- My staff and colleagues is having very good
information about the concept of care sector along with relevant knowledge about the concept of
food nutrition and first aid who regularly supports my knowledge development through making
improved suggestion for me to have better professional development (Chambers, 2021). Thus,
through making use of my reflective practises I could effectively adopt these suggestions and
new ways to work in more efficient and improved manner.
CQC- The members of the who visit to the origination also advice about the ways to have
improved services to have betterment in our professional development.
Patient family and friends- These are the one who tend to have most vital and effective
information about the quality of services that are being provided by me thus provide best
feedback and advice to make improvement and betterment in my professional development
based on use of reflective practices.
Effectiveness of the reflective practice (4.3)
Reflective practices are important and effective in ensuring practice based professional
learning based on the own professional experience rather than taking any formal teaching of
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knowledge transformation. Beside this, professional development also ensures development and
improvement based on own ability to bring together the theory and best practises though self-
evaluation of working practises to recognise and analysis weakness and strengths. Apart from
this, implication of reflective practises ensures and brings about continuous betterment
throughout the career by leading check and control over own skill level and required knowledge
level based on a level of job role (Chase and et. al., 2021). Thus, implication and adoption of
reflective practises are effective in setting out own goals and taking effective step for their
achievement to ensure growth in career and improvement in my current job role of health and
social care practitioner.
CONCLUSION
On the basis of current project, a conclusion can be made that professional development plan
is associated with analysing current skill gap and performance to ensure improvement in skills to
effectively meet growth and development in professional career. Further, it has been also
summarized that VARK provides an effective framework to elect mist suitable type of learning
style comprises of audio, video as well reading and writing learning style. Beside this, it has been
also seen that Gibbs and Kolb’s are two effective models used for reflective practices. At last, a
summarisation can be made that effective feedback provided more effective self-evaluation
based on own perception and feedback of other which supports better professional development.
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REFERENCES
Books and journal
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pp.197-210.
Bhaskar, P., Joshi, A. and Chopra, G., 2021. Career growth and development: the buzzword is
continuing education. International Journal of Knowledge and Learning, 14(1), pp.39-62.
Black, A. and et. al., 2021. Committee Opinion No. 419: Coercion Free Contraceptive
Care. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada.
Chambers, C.M., 2021. Social Justice, Professional Moral Courage, and Burnout among School
Counselors (Doctoral dissertation, University of Holy Cross).
Chase, L.E. and et. al., 2021. Gendering psychosocial care: risks and opportunities for global
mental health. The Lancet Psychiatry, 8(4), pp.267-269.
Collings, S., Dew, A. and Dowse, L., 2021. ‘Testing it in the real world’: Using action research
to apply a conceptual framework to social care planning. Action Research, 19(2), pp.203-
217.
Hilty, D.M. and et. al., 2021. A literature review comparing clinicians' approaches and skills to
in-person, synchronous, and asynchronous care: moving toward competencies to ensure
quality care. Telemedicine and e-Health, 27(4), pp.356-373.
Huscroft-D'Angelo, J., Poling, D. and Trout, A., 2021. Foster parent perspectives on necessary
supports for youth and their families departing foster care. Journal of Social Work,
p.14680173211013735.
O’Brien, M., 2021. Case load held practice and the national and international
political/professional context. In A Concise Guide to Continuity of Care in Midwifery (pp.
18-33). Routledge.
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Sewell, K.M., 2021. Supporting children’s mental health evidence-based interventions:
feasibility study of a workplace-based supervision model. The Clinical Supervisor, 40(1),
pp.134-157.
Winberry, J. and Potnis, D., 2021. Social innovations in public libraries: Types and
challenges. The Library Quarterly, 91(3), pp.337-365.
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