1. Unit 6: Work experience in health and social care
Learning aim A1

2. Learning aims
A: Examine the benefits of work experience in health and social care for own learning and development
A1: Developing skills and attributes

3. A: Examine the benefits of work experience in health and social care for own learning and development (A1, P2)
Time: 15 mins
Research the range of job roles available in the health and social care sector.
Share with a partner.
Teacher notes
Each pair could develop a poster featuring some of the job roles that there are in the health and social care sector. There are useful resources available from Skills for Care: and Skills for Health:
A whole group discussion could then ensue around the diverse range of roles that exist.

4. Identifying skills, attributes and areas for development
A: Examine the benefits of work experience in health and social care for own learning and development (A1, P1)
Identifying skills, attributes and areas for development
Work experience can enable you to develop the ability and expertise (referred to as skills) as well as the qualities (referred to as attributes) required for a particular job role. Work experience can also provide you with the opportunity to reflect on the skills and attributes you have, as well as those that you do not have or need to develop further.
Teacher notes

5. Developing professionalism
A: Examine the benefits of work experience in health and social care for own learning and development (A1, P1)
Developing professionalism
'Professionalism' describes the qualities, skills, competence and behaviours expected of individuals belonging to any given profession...
Physiotherapy requires a unique blend of learning in scientific, therapeutic and interpersonal areas. Professionalism defines what is expected of a professional, and what it means to be professional.
Source: Chartered Society of Physiotherapy,
Teacher notes

6. Read through the ‘Professionalism is your duty’ article.
A: Examine the benefits of work experience in health and social care for own learning and development (A1, P1)
Time: 15 mins
Read through the ‘Professionalism is your duty’ article.
What does it say about the meaning of professionalism for healthcare professionals?
Discuss with a partner.
Teacher notes
The article, like the earlier quote, is from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy:
Each pair could identify the key points included in this article about what professionalism for healthcare staff means and then discuss how they think this can be developed through work experience.

7. Communication and interpersonal skills
A: Examine the benefits of work experience in health and social care for own learning and development (A1, P1, P2)
Communication and interpersonal skills
Communication and interpersonal skills
Non-verbal communication (e.g. eye contact, facial expressions, body language)
Verbal communication (e.g. vocabulary, linguistic tone, pitch)
Listening
Assertiveness
Negotiation
Problem solving
Decision making
Communication and interpersonal skills are used every day by health and social care practitioners to communicate and interact with both individuals and groups, including individuals who have care and support needs, their families, advocates, other professionals, colleagues and managers.
Teacher notes

8. Complete the Interpersonal Skills Self-Assessment.
A: Examine the benefits of work experience in health and social care for own learning and development (A1, P1, P2)
Time: 20 mins
Complete the Interpersonal Skills Self-Assessment.
Reflect on the skills you have and those you need to further develop.
Teacher Notes
Learners can access the Interpersonal Skills self-assessment from:
The skills self-assessment covers Listening Skills, Verbal Communication, Emotional Intelligence, and Working in Groups and Teams. Learners could reflect on ways that work experience may help them to develop these.

9. Organisational and technical skills
A: Examine the benefits of work experience in health and social care for own learning and development (A1, P1, P2)
Organisational and technical skills
Organisational skills can include: time management, prioritising tasks, planning tasks, working independently and good attention to detail. Technical skills are the specific knowledge and abilities required to complete specific tasks; this also involves the ability to link theory with practice. For health and social care practitioners these can include: data handling in relation to individuals’ records; using specialist equipment such as hoists; identifying and meeting individuals’ care and support needs through care planning.
Teacher notes

10. A: Examine the benefits of work experience in health and social care for own learning and development (A1, P1, P2)
Teamwork skills
What is a team? A group of people who have shared goals in common, work together to achieve these goals, and have different and defined roles. What teamwork skills are required in health and social care? Good communication and interpersonal skills that promote trust, tolerance and respect and encourage sharing of responsibility. Good organisational, decision-making and problem solving skills are also important.
Teacher notes Additional information about teamwork skills is available from:

11. Confidence and personal responsibility
A: Examine the benefits of work experience in health and social care for own learning and development (A1, P1, P2)
Confidence and personal responsibility
Work experience in the health and social care sector can help with developing your confidence and self-esteem by making you aware of your strengths and abilities, and making you think positively about yourself and what you can do. Work experience can also provide you with opportunities to make a real difference to someone else’s life; this also can make you feel good about yourself. Personal responsibility involves taking ownership of your actions and decisions, and only taking on what you feel you are able to do well. Work experience can be a good way of developing personal responsibility.
Teacher notes

12. Summary In this lesson we:
A: Examine the benefits of work experience in health and social care for own learning and development (A1, P1, P2, M1, D1)
Summary
In this lesson we:
explored the range of job roles available in the health and social care sector
explained in detail how work experience can help with developing a range of skills and qualities required for health and social care job roles
explained the benefits of work experience for developing confidence, professionalism and personal responsibility.

13. Summary: plenary activities
A: Examine the benefits of work experience in health and social care for own learning and development (A1, P1, P2, M1, D1)
Summary: plenary activities
1. Name three skills that can be developed through work experience in a health and social care setting. 2. What are the qualities health and social care professionals require to work in the sector?