PDP Use in INFORMAL Accreditation Chris Lusk St. Andrews Director SSS

Supnet (Support Network) 30 – 40 Volunteers Recruited in 1 st year Stringent Selection Procedures Trained through 1 st and 2 nd year Work 3 rd and 4 th year

Supnet Activities One-to-one support Self Help Groups Awareness Raising First Aid Orientation leaders Information providers

Pre-1997 problems Why were they doing it? No perceived accreditation No conscious skills development Training voluntary = overall lack of commitment

1997 Stricter regime Training compulsory Volunteers “counselled out” De-briefing sessions introduced Staff input acknowledged skills acquired PDP introduced

PDP – key skills recognised Presentation Skills Analytical Skills Creative Thinking Team Work Time Management

PDP – key skills (continued) Communication (written and verbal) Leadership Interpersonal Skills Practical Skills. Self Reflection

Benefits of PDP Assistance with preparation rewards with staff contact. Student feels work is “more valued” “Confidence Building” Provides FOCUS Trains in self assessment

Paper benefit to PDP No formal accreditation Provides evidence of activity for staff (Academic slack cut ?) Reference provision

Based upon copies of information held in the PDP Provides focussed evidence for students applying for employment elsewhere

Problems Student Commitment to PDP But require it as an option………..