Portfolio A and Portfolio B: Tasks and Learning Outcomes

Task 1: Developing Relevant Knowledge

Thinking about the service user you are working with undertake some research to learn more about their current circumstances/lived experiences

1. Identify and research one or more issues which are relevant to the service user in the case example you have chosen e.g., information about young carers/ homelessness. Prepare a bibliography using Harvard referencing of high-quality relevant sources. The bibliography must include at least 3 peer-reviewed journal articles or book chapters, 2 websites containing relevant reports and 3 informal sources such as leaflets, posters, or blogs.

2. Write a brief account which describes your research process and any challenges you encountered.

3. Choose one or two items from your bibliography. Give reasons for your selection, say why you found them useful and critically evaluate the information contained in each item.

Your Line Manager has asked you to research local activities/support services available for the person you are working with. 

1. Write an e-mail to your Line Manager outlining the local activities/support services you have found with links to the relevant sources. Include your rationale for selecting these activities.

2. Create an accessible leaflet/A4 handout for the service user with key details of the activities/ services available. 

1. Understand the socio-political context in which psycho-social work takes place and consider the impact of power relations, difference and diversity on their practice. (CI, CC, SEI)

2. Demonstrate a capacity to undertake research and critically evaluate relevant information and resources (EE, DP).

3. Present ideas and evidence in clear, comprehensible written and verbal accounts (CC)

This is the criteria that the assessors will use to see if you have met the Learning Objectives (LOs):

?Your ability to understand the broader context in which psycho-social work takes place and to consider the impact of power relations, difference and diversity on your practice. (LO2)

?Your capacity to undertake research and critically evaluate relevant information (LO4) 
 

?Your ability to present your knowledge, experience and ideas in clear and comprehensible written accounts (L05)

1. Undertake research to find an organisation that could provide a Befriender for the person in the case example you have chosen. Write a brief commentary on the role and responsibilities of a befriender and your understanding of professional boundaries and ethics in relation to the role of a Befriender in this context.

2. Imagine you are volunteering as a Befriender for the person in the case example you have chosen (the ‘service user’). Write a detailed entry for your reflective journal explaining why you have chosen to work with this service user, the knowledge, skills and experience you will bring to the work and what some of the challenges might be. Give reasons for your answers.

a. Write an e-mail for your line manager outlining how you will build a relationship with the ‘service user’ in the case example, what you plan to do and what you might hope to achieve in working with this particular ‘service user’.

a) Write an entry for your reflective journal detailing
 

• The similarities and differences between yourself and the ‘service user‘ and how these might affect your work together

• How the ‘service user’ might see you or your befriending, your understanding of this and how it might impact the relationship

• How this work might impact on you emotionally and what resources you can draw on to support you

Create a presentation and slide show which covers the following; Introduction (2 min/ 1 slide)

?Overview of the role and responsibilities of Befriender in relevant organisation

 
•Professional boundaries and ethics in relation to the role of a Befriender

•Why you have chosen to work with this ‘service user’

•The knowledge, skills and experience you will bring to the work

•Some of the challenges you anticipate

• How you will build a relationship with the ‘service user’

• What you plan to do

• What you might hope to achieve in working with the ‘service user’

• The similarities and differences between yourself and the ‘service user’ and how these might affect your work together

• How the person in the case example (service user) might see you or your befriending, your understanding of this and how it might impact the relationship

• How this work might impact on you emotionally and what resources you can draw on to support you 

2. Understand the socio-political context in which psycho-social work takes place and consider the impact of power relations, difference and diversity on their practice. (CI, CC. SEI)

3. Critically reflect on their personal and professional experience, skills and aspirations (PI, COI, SEI).

4. Present ideas and evidence in clear, comprehensible written and verbal accounts (CC)