A Personal Development Plan (PDP) is a record of a social care worker’s professional achievements over time. By keeping an up-to-date PDP, a social care worker can see how their knowledge, understanding and practice has progressed as well as the current objectives and goals. Also, writing a PDP forces a social care worker to think about any gaps in their knowledge or areas where they would like to perform better and design a roadmap to get to their objectives. In addition, it provides evidence of continuous improvement to others.
Month: October 2017
Describe how genetic factors can influence the sexual development, sexual expression and sexual health of an individual with a learning disability
In genetics, the sex chromosomes determine whether an individual is male or female. An individual will get an X-chromosome from their mother and a second X-chromosome from their father if they are a female (XX). Males get an X-chromosome from their mother and a Y-chromosome from their father (XY). Therefore, sexual development is based on genes.
Variations on chromosomes can lead to variations in the sexual development and sexual expression of an individual. For example, if a male has an extra X-chromosome (XXY) they will have biological features resembling a female and if a male has an extra Y-chromosome (XYY) they will be taller and often have a learning disability. There are other genetic conditions that do not affect an individual’s sexual development but are the cause of a learning disabilities that make it difficult for them to have the cognitive and emotional structure to manage their sexual expression and sexual health in socially acceptable ways. Fragile X syndrome is an example of this.
Explain why it is important to respond to an individual’s reactions during communication
During the process of a conversation, an individual may react in a plethora of ways. It is important to observe and respond to these reactions to show that you are listening, keep the conversation going and prevent misunderstandings.
For example, if the individual is nodding whilst you are speaking, and clarifying what you say, it probably means that they are listening and attentive and you should carry on. If the individual looks confused, it may indicate that they do not understand and you may need to re-explain what you are saying in different words. If they are avoiding eye contact and looking in the opposite direction it may mean that they don’t like what you are saying or aren’t interested, so you may need to try a different approach or try again later.
Personal Development Plan Example
Design a template for a personal development plan (PDP) that you could use to improve your learning, development and professional practice. For each heading in the template, provide a brief summary describing what should be included.
| Goal (the outcome to be achieved) | Milestones (for longer goals, mini-objectives along the way) | Target date (the goal/milestone should be complete by this date) | Other info (any other info e.g. support of others, extra tasks that need to be complete, equipment required to complete goal etc.) |
| Complete Diploma Level 3 | Unit 302 Unit 303 Unit 304 Unit 305 Unit 306 Unit 307 Unit 311 Unit 316 Unit 374 | 25/11/16 02/12/16 09/12/16 16/12/16 23/12/16 30/12/16 06/01/16 13/01/16 20/01/16 | Also need to complete observations and Functional Skills |
| Complete in-house ‘Working with Forensic Clients’ workshop | 31/01/16 | Need to book myself on workshop before Xmas | |
| Research Anger Management therapies for people with learning disabilities | 28/02/16 | Use library and internet to look at studies and clinical trials regarding helping people with learning disabilities to control their anger. Write up results and implement. |
Explain main sexual development milestones throughout an individual’s lifespan
From birth, babies can experience sexual pleasure from touching their genitals and males can have erections. By around age 2, infants will know their own gender and understand the difference between male and female genetalia. As they get older they will become more curious about sexual subjects.
Pre-adolescence usually occurs between ages 8 and 12 and children will become more self-conscious about their bodies. They will also experience some changes to their bodies including the growth of pubic hair, larger testicles in males and breast buds in female. They will become more interested in sexual subjects and may masturbate although the thought of sexual intercourse is often an unpleasant one.
During the teenage years, children experience puberty as their bodies mature in adulthood and their primary and secondary sexual characteristics develop. Females will experience menstruation and masturbation for both genders will be common. Teenagers will also become more interested in forming romantic and sexual relations.
During adulthood, most people will have a desire for intimate and sexual relations and may wish to have children.
At around age 50, women will experience the menopause, indicating the end of their ability to have children. This may also reduce their sexual desire. Men may also have a reduced desire for sexual relations and may find it more difficult to maintain an erection although they may still be able to father children.