RPL Training Activity
Recognition of prior learning is a process where the learning you have gained from experiences (formal and informal) can be used to demonstrate your knowledge, skills and competence in your SVQ. As you work through the SVQ your assessor will support you to think about what you already know and can do and how you can use this as evidence for your award. In this way you can focus your time on learning about issues you don’t know so much about. For example:
As a parent you are likely to be quite skilful at dealing with temper tantrums or behaviour issues. You might have watched popular TV programmes e.g. Super-nanny and picked up some ideas, you probably talked to friends and relatives about strategies and you might have read some books or publications. In some cases you will have discussed this with specialist or professionals e.g. your Health Visitor. In your work with children you will be supporting positive behaviour on a daily basis implementing your centre’s policy. Therefore you already have lots of knowledge and skills in this aspect of working with children.
Working through the SVQ provides a framework where you marry what you know already with the professional knowledge required to be a Childhood Practice Professional and in this case, you will consider what theorists say about behaviour against what you know and do already. Writing reflectively about this process will demonstrate how you have learned from and about your own experiences. In this case how you have added to what you already know and do and what you know now about supporting positive behaviour and how and why this enables you do your work better or more skilful than before and relate this to actual practice.
Reflective writing therefore is a key component of the SVQ and your designated Training Officer will support you develop your skills in doing this as your work through the award and look at different aspects of childhood practice.
To begin this process, you are required to submit TWO reflections on recent training events you have attended. The type of events you might select are:
• First Aid Training
• Food Handling Training
• In-house training: Induction session, policy training, planning systems etc
• Local Authority Training or training sessions provided by your organisation.
Use the attached form RPL Training Activity to help structure your writing. You can print this off and fill in the form by hand and post it to the HiMATS office address or alternatively, if you wish to complete it electronically then please save this to your computer, complete it and email this back to Dawn at info@HiMATS.org.uk.
On receipt of your two reflective accounts your designated Training Officer will contact you to arrange your personal SVQ induction session. Your submitted reflective writing accounts will provide a useful focus for discussion about how you will work through your SVQ.
Remember, everyone has their own starting point and learning journey when doing a vocational qualification and your Training Officer will support you on the right pathway for you.