I went on an MCLIP workshop today. I’m being good and writing up my notes now. This will be dull, but potentially very useful to me in about eighteen months time.
Words of the day: Evaluate and reflect.
Some of what was covered I already knew. I’ve already registered and have submitted my personal development plan. It’s what comes next that was confusing me.
I have to submit a portfolio. Because I am doing pathway 2 . I have to have two years of appropriate professional experience before I can submit. This starts from when I registered.
So, in about eighteen months I have to submit my portfolio. This must contain:
- A contents table
- My CV
- Completed PPDP
- A personal evaluative statement. (1000 words max) Needs to have: why I chose the material in the evidence part, outcomes of developmental activities and an evaluation of how they’ve contributed to my professional development. The statement must be cross referenced to the evidence section.
- The evidence section. In here can go: Emails, minutes, reports, certificates, agenda, timetables, training plans, website screenshots, URLs, membership of professional networks, training, work based learning, publicity, letters etc etc.
- Organisational structure chart.
- Evidence of participation in mentor scheme.
The assessment criteria (very important)
The portfolio must:
- reflect critically on personal performance and evaluate service performance.
- show active commitment to CPD.
- analyse personal and professional development and progression with ref. experiential and developmental activities.
- demonstrate professional knowledge and understanding of wider professional context.
Other random bits
The evidence must be relevant and demonstrate learning and development.
Quality not quantity
Keep everything you do (online, in a shoebox, on your PC at work) A good idea was to sort it according to the assessment criteria so you know if you’re low on any areas.
Keep a diary (the successful portfolio we saw also had a chartership log which detailed reading, training etc – maybe by the time I submit I can just give them the link to this blog)
Evidence links to supporting statement. Must be cross referenced and refer to all bits of evidence.
Look at the body of professional knowledge and the plain English version
Get a copy of the the assessment form (on CILIP website here)
Main errors are: failure to read regulations, failure address criteria, excessive description, poor presentation.
Reflect on what you learned and show how you have put this into practice.
Evaluate success (or otherwise) of the organisation. (looking forward to this bit) needs to include aims and objectives
Demonstrate wider professional awareness
Don’t be impersonal
CV must be expansive – more detail than ususal
Practical stuff
Be selective with evidence – needs to be relevant, mix organisational and personal documents, acknowledge authorship.
Bound is best – no extras such as dividers or post its! No ring binders.
Make it easy to follow, good contents page, number documents and explain each section.
Avoid acronyms and jargon if possible or provide glossary.
References need to be clear and correct
Spelling and grammer
Get someone to proof read it.
12 point font not single spaced.
