1.1 Explain what is meant by professional development.

Centre Name

Inspire London College

Qualification

OTHM Level 5 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care Management

Unit Number and Title

K-650-1144 Professional Development and Academic Writing Skills

Unit Level

4

Unit Type

Mandatory

Credit Value

20

Word Count

2250±10% (750 for report)

Grading Criteria

Pass / Refer

Required Formatting

Use Calibri (Body) Font Style, Size 12 for Text, Size 14 (Bold) for Headings, 13 (Bold) for Subheadings.

Plagiarised Content Information

Ensure your work is original and demonstrates your own understanding and research.

AI Content Information

All assignments must be entirely self-written. AI-generated content is strictly prohibited.

In-text Citation Requirement

You are required to include In-text citations for each assessment criterion and list all sources in a Bibliography section.

Assignment Grading Information

Submit your assignment by the deadline specified by your tutor.

Early submissions will be marked within seven to ten working days from the official due date.

Student Declaration

Every coursework submission must include a Signed Learner Declaration confirming the authenticity of your work.

Assignment Title

Professional Development and Academic Writing Skills

Assessment Requirements:

To achieve a “Pass” for this unit, learners must provide clear and sufficient evidence demonstrating that all learning outcomes have been met and that each assessment criterion has been fully addressed in accordance with the required standards.

UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

LO1: Understand the principles of professional development.

LO2: Be able to develop goals and targets for their own professional development. LO3: Be able to prepare a professional development plan.

LO4: Be able to use models of reflective practice to evaluate own development. LO5: Be able to apply appropriate academic conventions in written communication.

Refer to the learning outcomes and assessment criteria below to write your responses in the assignment worksheet.

LEARNING OUTCOME:

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

The learner will:

The learner can:

LO1: Understand the principles of professional development.

1.1 Explain what is meant by professional development.

1.2 Explain ways of overcoming barriers to professional development.

1.3 Determine the different sources available for professional development.

1.4 Analyse factors to consider when selecting opportunities and activities for keeping knowledge and practice up to date.

LO2: Be able to develop goals and targets for their own professional development.

2.1 Evaluate own knowledge against standards and benchmarks.

2.2 Create SMART goals and targets for own professional development.

2.3 Determine appropriate goals and targets to meet expected standards.

2.4 Assess learning opportunities to meet objectives and reflect personal learning style.

LO3: Be able to prepare a professional development plan.

3.1 Produce a professional development plan.

3.2 Apply techniques to review progress toward personal and professional objectives.

LO4: Be able to use models of reflective practice to evaluate own development.

4.1 Compare models of reflective practice.

4.2 Apply reflective practice techniques to improve performance.

4.3 Evaluate the effectiveness of own reflective practice.

LO5: Be able to apply appropriate academic conventions in written communication.

5.1 Explain the principles of academic writing.

5.2 Produce written work according to academic conventions.

5.3 Apply techniques to review on own academic writing skills.

Guidance Notes

Sources of Professional Development: The process of improving and increasing one’s knowledge, skills, and competencies in a professional context to maintain and enhance career performance. Examples may include:

• Professional networks and associations.
• Mentorship and coaching programs.

Standards and Benchmarks: In this context, it refers to predefined levels of performance or criteria used to measure knowledge, skills, or quality. Examples may include:

• Industry standards for professional practice (e.g., ISO standards).
• Academic benchmarks (e.g., GPA requirements).
• Competency frameworks in your profession.

Learning Opportunities: Situations or resources that enable learning and skill development. Examples may include:

• Attending seminars or workshops.
• On-the-job training.
• Shadowing experienced colleagues

Academic Writing: A formal style of writing used in educational and professional contexts, characterised by clarity, evidence-based arguments, and structured presentation. Examples may include:

• Essays, research papers, dissertations.
• Lab reports or case studies.

Academic Conventions: The accepted rules and standards used in academic writing. For example:

• Using proper referencing styles (APA, MLA, Harvard).
• Avoiding plagiarism.
• Using formal tone and structured paragraphs.

ASSIGNMENT BRIEF

Guidelines for Assignment Completion and Submission

Points to consider

Explanation

Academic Integrity and Authenticity Guidelines

Learners must ensure that all submitted work is their own, authentic, and relevant to each assignment criterion. Plagiarism: using someone else’s work without proper referencing and collusion, submitting similar work with others are serious offences. Self-plagiarism, or reusing previously submitted work without approval, is also not allowed. Avoid relying on AI-generated content, as it may lack originality and academic depth. Focus on aligning your responses with the specific action verbs in the criteria (e.g., evaluate, describe, explain). All submissions must include a statement of authenticity with a word count and a plagiarism similarity report using tools like Grammarly or ScanMyEssay.

ILC recommends the following to check plagiarism/similarity. https://www.grammarly.com/plagiarism-checker https://www.scanmyessay.com

Learners are required to attach the similarity report in the submission slot or email to the tutor.

Avoid Using AI- Generated Content

Refrain from relying on AI-generated content for your assignments. Such content lacks depth, originality, and relevance, and could lead to academic integrity issues. Focus on creating authentic work that reflects your own understanding and research.

Referencing and In-text Citation Requirements

Learners are expected to use the  Harvard Referencing System to acknowledge all sources, methodologies, and applications used. In-text citations must be included for each criterion, with full references listed in the bibliography section, following correct Harvard formatting. Only use credible, peer-reviewed sources such as books, journals, and articles published within the last five years. Avoid unreliable sources like blogs, Wikipedia, or job sites. Proper referencing reflects academic integrity and ensures adherence to scholarly standards.

Relevancy of Content

Align the content with each assignment criterion. Focus on the action verbs (e.g., assess, evaluate, identify, describe, demonstrate, explain) mentioned in the criteria and modify your responses accordingly. Irrelevant information  may  result  in  your  work  being  referred  for  further improvement.

Duplication/self Plagiarism

Submitting work that largely repeats material previously graded for the same or another course, here or elsewhere, counts as self-plagiarism, unless it’s an improved version approved for reassessment. This is considered academic misconduct.

Material Proofreading

Use Microsoft Word`s grammar and spell check, the use of Grammarly is strictly prohibited due to its AI text-generation capabilities

Word Count Policy and Adherence

Learners must complete the assignment within the required word count of 2250 words, with a permitted margin of ±10% and 750 words for the report. This word count excludes the index, headings, tables, images, footnotes, appendices, and reference list. Strict adherence to the word count is essential. Submitting significantly less may lead to refer, while exceeding the limit can affect clarity and assessment. Learners are advised to plan and structure their content effectively to meet both the word limit and the quality expectations.

Appendices

You may include appendices with supporting information, but they must be clearly referenced in your assignment. Tables, graphs, diagrams, Gantt charts, and flowcharts that support your report should be added at the end of your submitted document. Any published sources, like annual reports or company literature, must be cited in the text using Harvard referencing and listed at the end of your assignment.

Assignment Formatting Requirements

Follow the formatting guidelines below.

Using Calibri (Body) font, size 12 for text, size 14 bold for headings, and size 13 bold for subheadings.

Include the assessment criterion statement before each response for clarity. Proper formatting ensures a professional presentation and may impact your overall grade.

Paragraph Form and Suitable Headings

Avoid using unnecessary bullet points and short sentences. Instead, address each criterion in a well-structured paragraph with appropriate headings. This ensures clarity and coherence in your writing, making it easier for evaluators to follow your argument. Make sure that each criterion is clearly presented with proper formatting, including headings, paragraphs, and consistent style throughout.

Comprehensive Coverage of Criteria according to Assignment brief

Address all the criteria listed in the assignment brief. Missing any criterion could result in not achieving a passing grade. Make sure your response fully addresses and gives appropriate consideration to each criterion. Additionally, follow the additional guidelines or scenarios (if given) in the brief to stay relevant to the demand of the criteria.

Case Studies and Visual Aids (if applicable)

Incorporate relevant case studies, smart art, and figures to enhance the effectiveness of your content. This incorporation can make complex information more engaging, potentially earning you extra marks.

Updated and Peer-Reviewed Sources

Consult recent (within the past five years) peer-reviewed articles, journals, and books. Relying on current and credible sources enhances your arguments and shows that you are informed about the latest developments in your field.

Submission Regulations and Assignment Grading Information

You must submit your coursework online via the College’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) as a single electronic document in .docx format by the due date. Submissions will be graded within seven to ten working days after the deadline.